Kenyan Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is starring in a new animated sci-fi survival movie titled The Wild Robot.
She voices Roz, a robot stranded on a remote island after a shipwreck. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.
@capitalfmkenya “It was really fun to play this mother figure.” @Lupita Nyong’o discusses her new movie, The Wild Robot, bringing the character to life in Swahili, embracing a motherly role, and rating her own performance. The Wild Robot is a movie about a robot named Roz who is shipwrecked on a deserted island. Roz must learn to adapt to her new surroundings. In theatres September 27 #TheSauceKe #TheWildRobotMovie #capitalfmkenya
♬ original sound – Capital FM Kenya
The Sauce had a chance to interview the US-based actress to discuss this latest project and dive into her approach to portraying this fascinating character.
In our interview, Lupita passionately shared how she infused elements of her Kenyan heritage into the character of Roz. One of the standout moments in the film happens in the opening scene, when Roz greets the other animals in different languages, including Swahili, saying “Hujambo” (a common Kenyan greeting meaning “How are you?”). This moment is especially significant to Lupita, who made sure to ask the film’s director, Chris Sanders, to include the Swahili greeting as a nod to her heritage. “It was important to me to incorporate a piece of my culture into Roz’s world,” Lupita said.
Lupita also spoke fondly about the film’s central theme of motherhood, as Roz becomes a caretaker for an orphaned gosling she finds on the island. Drawing parallels to her own relationship with her mother, Lupita said, “Playing a mother figure like Roz made me reflect on my own mother’s strength. When I left Kenya to pursue acting in the US, it must have been hard for her to watch me spread my wings and take on the world. In a way, Roz’s journey with the gosling mirrors that.”
This deeply personal connection to Roz’s nurturing role adds a layer of emotion that audiences are sure to feel. Lupita’s ability to bring both robotic precision and human warmth to the character is truly masterful. She expertly navigates the delicate balance between mechanical precision and emotional depth, breathing life into a character that, on paper, might seem more machine than human.
The film’s exploration of survival, connection, and nurturing resonates deeply, with Roz’s journey mirroring the universal struggles of parenthood and personal growth. The lush, detailed animation immerses the viewer into the island’s world, making it feel both alien and familiar. The touching relationship between Roz and the orphaned gosling is a standout, with moments of quiet tenderness that will tug at your heartstrings.
In true Lupita fashion, her voice work infuses Roz with an authenticity that elevates the entire experience.
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The Wild Robot isn’t just a sci-fi adventure it’s a profound, emotional journey about love, survival, and the unexpected ways we find connection in the world. Definitely one to watch when it releases in theaters on September 20, 2024.
At the end of our conversation, Lupita shared a lighthearted moment, rating her own performance in true Roz fashion. “I’d give myself a perfect 10,” she laughed.