Lupita Nyong'o Says 'Black Panther' Was New Territory The 36-year-old actress knew right away that the movie was important. Lupita Nyong'o, via 'Culture' Lupita Nyong'o, via 'Culture' Nyong'o thinks the Ryan Coogler-directed film "tapped into a hunger" for people from all walks of life. Lupita Nyong'o, via 'Culture'