42 and Get On Up star Chadwick Boseman’s name has been brought up several times now when mentioning Marvel’s Black Panther, a film that is all-but-confirmed to be coming down the studio’s extensive and ever-growing pipeline. The rumors began back in May of 2013, resurfaced in April and then came up again just before San Diego Comic-Con last weekend. Boseman himself has remained coy about the possibility of taking the coveted role, but the actor may have let something slip in a new interview.
While doing press for Get On Up (which just hit theaters on Friday), he visited “The Breakfast Club” morning show in New York City, and was caught off guard when host Charlamagne Tha God (yep) asked about the validity of the rumors that he would play T’Challa, a.k.a. Black Panther for Marvel. His response? A nervous denial, a wide grin, and one little Freudian slip:
“Ahhh, I don’t know anything about that… Until the contract is signed, I don’t know.”
Wait, did he say “contract?” What contract?! He’s said in the past that landing the role was “not out of the question,” so he’s never flat-out denied that he’s at least spoken with the studio. Judging by his latest coy and curious response, those talks may have evolved into something more serious.
Of course, his comments aren’t much to go on, but it’s enough to fuel the rumor mill for a bit longer. The fact that a Black Panther film hasn’t even been officially announced yet is another little snag in this story, but judging by all of the attention the idea has been generating lately, I suspect an announcement isn’t too far off.
What do you think of Boseman’s comments? Do you think he’d make a good Black Panther? Sound off in the comments below.