- "Some truths are too much to bear, T'Challa."
- ―Zuri to T'Challa[src]
Zuri is a Wakandan shaman and the trusted loyal adviser to his King. Having maintained T'Chaka's secrets over his handling of the death of N'Jobu in the past, Zuri continued supporting the King of Wakanda as T'Challa took over the throne in the wake of the death of T'Chaka. However when Erik Killmonger returned to Wakanda and challenged T'Challa for the throne of Wakanda, Zuri organized the ritual duel between the pair, only to sacrifice his own life in a desperate attempt to save his king, confessing to Killmonger that he was partly responsible for the death of Killmonger's father.
Biography
Early Life
Working with N'Jobu
Zuri worked for King T'Chaka to stay with N'Jobu to keep an eye on him in Oakland. He posed as a man named James and worked with him when N'Jobu worked with Ulysses Klaue to deal out vibranium. When Wakanda was attacked by Klaue, T'Chaka came to N'Jobu and Zuri, knowing that it was N'Jobu who supplied Klaue with the information he needed to attack Wakanda. Zuri revealed that he was Wakandan and N'Jobu lashed out, pulling out his gun on Zuri. However, before N'Jobu could fire, T'Chaka killed his brother.[1]
New King
T'Challa's Coronation
Zuri attending T'Challa's royal coronation
Zuri led T'Challa's coronation ceremony at Warrior Falls. Giving T'Challa the serum that nullified the powers of the Heart-Shaped Herb, Zuri asked if there were any warriors from the other tribes who wished to challenge. To their surprise, the Jabari Tribe, led by M'Baku, arrived to challenge T'Challa for the throne. T'Challa emerged victorious and Zuri proudly crowned him King.[1]
Confessing
Zuri confesses the terrible truth to T'Challa
T'Challa confronted Zuri about his uncle's disappearance. Zuri swore to secrecy out of respect for T'Chaka before T'Challa furiously insisted he tell the truth. Reluctantly, Zuri told T'Challa of how T'Chaka killed N'Jobu to save him, and how they left his young son behind.[1]
Sacrifice and Death
Zuri attending Erik Killmonger's challenge
- "I am the cause of your father's death. Not him. Take me."
"I'll take you both, Uncle James!" - ―Zuri and Erik Killmonger[src]
Zuri oversaw the duel between T'Challa and Erik Killmonger at Warrior Falls, once again feeding T'Challa the serum that removed his powers of the Black Panther. T'Challa took a severe beating from Killmonger, whom Zuri stopped from striking a killing blow. Zuri begged Killmonger to spare T'Challa's life, offering his own in his place as amendment for N'Jobu's death. Killmonger furiously impaled Zuri, who fell to the ground dead much to the horror of T'Challa.[1]
Personality
To be added
Abilities
- Expert Spy: As a former War Dog, Zuri was able to hide the fact that he was from Wakanda from both N'Jobu and N’Jadaka while he was in an undercover mission to spy on the former.
- Multilingualism: Zuri was fluent in his native language, Xhosa, as well as English.
Equipment
- Spear of Bashenga: The Spear of Bashenga is the spear that Bashenga used during the war of the five tribes of Wakanda. Zuri equipped the spear while leading T'Challa's coronation ceremony at Warrior Falls. In another coronation of Erik Killmonger, Zuri disarmed him with the spear during the match.[2]
Relationships
Family
Allies |
Enemies
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Trivia
- In the comics, Zuri was a friend and companion of King T'Chaka, and served as special attendant and warrior of his son T'Challa. He was also a good friend of Thor.
Behind the Scenes
- Director Ryan Coogler described Zuri as the "Black Panther's version of Obi-Wan Kenobi": "He's somewhat a religious figure or spiritual figure. Spirituality is something that exists in Wakanda in the comics, and it's something we wanted to have elements of in the film. Forest's character, more than anything, is a major tie-back to T'Challa's father. Zuri is someone he looks to for guidance."[3]
- Kurt DeVille was a stunt double for Forest Whitaker in the role of Zuri.
References
External Links
Zuri on Marvel Database- Zuri on Wikipedia
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