Though we still have the back-to-back releases of Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok to look forward to, Marvel fans are already beginning to direct their gaze toward Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther in the hope of something truly different.
Set in the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, the 2018 actioner stars Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, who made his MCU debut thanks to the release of last year’s Captain America: Civil War. In the wake of his father’s death, Boseman’s wet-behind-the-ears leader is anointed king and forced to defend Wakanda and its people from new threats – namely Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) and the malevolent Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). It makes for a fairly compelling origin story, and though Marvel is still playing its cards relatively close to the chest, this first-look promo for Black Panther is tantalizing nonetheless.
Even at its rather brief runtime, the preview manages to tease another hugely exciting entry into the MCU and presents a hero in T’Challa that will no doubt become a firm fan favorite – if he isn’t one already. Bringing with it a gritty feel and a vibe quite unlike anything we’ve seen from the studio so far, if nothing else, Black Panther will surely be a breath of fresh air in a franchise that has, in recent years, begun to feel a bit recycled.
For more on the film, you can consult the official plot summary below:
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, becomes the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
Casting-wise, the Powers That Be over at Marvel have tapped a truly enviable lineup of Hollywood talent, with Boseman and Serkis set to share the screen with Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger), the Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Letitia Wright (Shuri) and Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi. Rounding out the ensemble are Mission: Impossible 6 star Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Sterling K. Brown, John Kani and Rogue One‘s Forest Whitaker. He’ll play Zuri, an old ally to T’Challa.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther is expected to claw its way into theatres on February 16th, 2018, and you can find the suitably regal first poster – a poster that acts as a not-so-subtle nod to Huey P. Newton – down below.
