Marvel’sPhase Threeis shaping up to be absolutely huge. We’ll get 10 movies arriving between this year and 2019, starting withCaptain America: Civil WarandDoctor Strange, and ending withAvengers: Infinity War - Part IIandInhumans. In between these adventures will be a slew of stand alone movies, includingBlack Panther. The title character of which, played byChadwick Boseman, is being introduced inCaptain America: Civil Warthis summer. While we don’t know when production will begin quite yet onBlack Panther,MarvelStudios PresidentKevin Feigehas confirmed toEmpire Magazinethat long rumoredRyan Cooglerwill direct.
The news doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, since we reported last month thatRyan Coogler, who has been receiving rave review forCreed, was close to signing on to directBlack Panther.Kevin Feigealso teased last week thatBlack Pantheris quite important in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, explaining how it will connect toAvengers: Infinity War Part I. Here’s what the producer had to say in his interview with Empire.
“This one is important. Not only do you get an unbelievable lead character, but you also get all of Wakanda which is a whole new setting and culture to explore. It’s a big geo-political action adventure that focuses on the family and royal struggle ofT’Challain Wakanda, and what it means to be a king. T’Challa’s story is very important to us as it links to the next Avengers films, which is why we brought it forward.”
Chadwick Bosemanis the only cast member attached to star inBlack Panther, but a rumor surfaced in April that the studio was seekingErnie Hudsonto play T’Challa’s father, T’Chaka. Rumors have also surfaced that T’Chaka could either die inCaptain America: Civil War, or pass on his throne of Wakanda to his son at some point in the movie, but that has not been confirmed. Of course, the producer wouldn’t shed any light on howBlack Pantherleads intoAvengers: Infinity War Part I, but he did also add that the production will feature a primarily African-American cast.
Joe Robert Cole(Amber Lake) recently came aboard to write the screenplay, although it isn’t known when principal photography may begin.Doctor Strangeis currently in production, withGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2commencing principal photography in early 2016 andThor: Ragnarokeyeing a summer 2016 filming start in Australia. It’s possible thatBlack Panthercould either start production in late 2016 or early 2017.
It still hasn’t been confirmed ifAndy Serkis' Ulysses Klaue, who was introduced in this summer’sAvengers: Age of Ultron, will return inBlack Panther, but it certainly seems likely, given his ties to Wakanda in the movie and in the comic books.Black Pantherwill only be the 29-year-oldRyan Coogler’s third feature film, following 2013’sFruitvale Stationand his hit follow-upCreed, which is still playing in theaters. Are you looking forward to seeing whatRyan Cooglercan do withBlack Panther?
