While the Marvel Cinematic Universe is working hard to put out countless movies, of those coming within the next year, it’s arguable that Black Panther may be the most anticipated film, yet. The film, featuring a predominantly black, cast will be dropping on February 16, 2018, and today at San Diego Comic Con a new poster, featuring the character also made its’ debut.
In addition to that, just a short while ago, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler took the stage at San Diego Comic Con’s Hall H, along with members of the cast including- Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa- Black Panther), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger), Andy Serkis (Ulysses Klaw), Winston Duke (M’Baku), Forest Whitaker (Zuri), Daniel Kuulaya (W’kabi), Danai Gurira (Okoye), and others. Each of them gave insight to their characters and their upcoming roles in the film.
Boseman received a standing ovation as he took the stage and pitched the film’s basic plot. According to Deadline Hollywood he said “He returns from the events of Captain America: Civil War and he’s dealing with the death of his father and becoming a ruler (in Wakanda), He’s still mourning his father’s death. It’s a transition period that gets interrupted, and he’s struggling with the type of king he wants to be.” He then goes on to explain, “I grew up as young black kid in the Bay Area and grew up with comic books and it didn’t matter what color the superheroes were; I read X-Men, I read Spider-Man. One day I walked into the comic-book shop and was looking for comic-book character like me, and the first one I saw was Black Panther.”
Director Ryan talked about why he admires Black Panther. “I thought that the best thing about the comic book, he got his power from the people around him and his history,”
Michael B. Jordan discussed his character, Erik Killmonger as follows- “I feel like Erik has his own points of view on Wakanda and how it should be ruled. He has his eyes on the throne, so he’s doing whatever it takes to kind of make them a reality.”
According to Polygon Lupita had this to say about her character. “Nakia is a spy. She goes undercover in the rest of the world and reports back to Wakanda about whats happening. In order to stay safe, they have to send people like Nakia out, called War Dogs, to stay on top of things. Wakanda needs to know about the world — but the world does not need to know about Wakanda.”
Forest Whitaker, who is playing Zuri, T’Challa’s mentor “He’s very close friends with his father and worked with T’Challa since he was a child. He wants to mold him into being a king.”
Andy Serkis also explained his character. “Ulysses is a wheeler dealer who can get on the phone and compromise any government.”
Lastly, Winston Duke explained M’Baku, the leader of a Wakanda tribe. “What I found really hot about the role was how human and the depth; he’s loyal to his people and faith-driven.”
According to Deadline, the clip shown depicts T’Challa without his costume as he travels with the Dora Milaje (Adored Ones) as they attempt to shake down Ulysses Klaw. Martin Freeman’s character, Everett Ross (depicted primarily in Christopher Priest’s Black Panther run) is trying to talk nice with Klaw, but when Okoye brandishes her spear, they break into battle.
Highlights from Hall H can be seen below:
Black Panther will open February 16, 2018.