Iowa Native Returns to MCU As Fan Favorite Character

Iowa native Danai Gurira returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The highly anticipated Black Panther sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opened to rave reviews and a huge box office this last weekend (November 11-13, 2022). The film has made around $330 million worldwide so far.

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You might recognize Iowa native Danai Gurira reprising her role as Okoye one of the powerful warriors of Wakanda known as the Dora Milaje.

Gurira is originally from Grinnell, Iowa. She is the youngest of four children, born while her mother was a college librarian and her father a chemistry professor at Grinnell College.

Okoye is "One of Wakanda's greatest warriors, Okoye proudly protects her country's king alongside the Dora Milaje." according to the official Marvel character page.

Besides the first Black Panther film, Gurira has played Okoye in other MCU movies as well, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame

You might also recognize this talented actress from her work in the TV hit The Walking Dead where she plays Michonne.

Iowa has no shortage of representation in some of your favorite superhero movies. Are you familiar with Jason Momoa, aka Aquaman? He was born in Hawaii but grew up in Norwalk, Iowa, a town right outside of Des Moines.

8 Celebrities You May to Run Into In South Dakota

You may not think of South Dakota as the crossroads of celebrity life. That's a good thing, we kind of like to live under the radar here on the upper plains.

But, living in South Dakota we are just a few degrees away from stardom. Not just because the author of the Little House on the Prairie books is from here. Or because every time Tom Brokaw shows up on TV, someone will say, "You know he's from Yankton."

We may not have as much of a chance at a celebrity sighting in South Dakota as we would in Minneapolis, but there are some famous personalities you may run into in the 605.