Watch ILM’s Jaw-Dropping VFX Work on Black Panther & Avengers: Infinity War

One of the most astonishing feats of visual effects this year was the creation of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther introduced us to the high-tech, unconquered and secretive country that T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is sworn to protect. The look and feel of Wakanda was the work of a huge team of people, including Coogler, production designer Hannah Beachler and costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Their vision was then married to the visual effects work done by Industrial Light & Magic. ILM, created by George Lucas, has done the heavy digital lifting on so many of the biggest films around, including Avengers: Infinity War, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Ready Player One, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and more. A lot more. In two new “Behind the Magic” videos, ILM showcases the work they did on Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, with a primary focus on Wakanda.

For Black Panther, ILM made sure all the hard practical work done by the crew was seamlessly married to the digital world they created. This included the myriad (and very different) locations within the country, from colossal mountains to the plains, and to one of the most crucial locations of all, Warrior Falls. This shimmering pool situated atop a massive waterfall is a sacred place for Wakandans—it’s where T’Challa meets his challengers, including the film’s heavy, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The net effect of the work ILM did on Wakanda is that it’s hard to tell what’s been digitally created and what was shot practically, the result all the best VFX artists are always aiming for.

For Infinity War, ILM once again revisited Wakanda, but now the country was engulfed in a massive war thanks to the arrival of the minions of Thanos (Josh Brolin). You’ll get a peek at how they created two huge armies clashing, the electric arrival of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), some of the brutally effective war machinery used by Thanos’s invaders, and Hulkbuster’s fight with Cull Obsidian.

Featured image: Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER. Talon Fighter over Wakanda. Ph: Film Frame. ©Marvel Studios 2018