It's official: Chadwick Boseman is the Black Panther, which he confirmed by taking the stage with Robert Downey Jr. today.
Despite Halloween only being days away, this has certainly been the week of Marvel for comic book movie fans. With Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, and Marvel Studios revealing most of its slate for Phase Three at a press conference, it should be enough to make any True Believer want to start climbing walls. But perhaps the biggest reveal came near the end of the conference when Chadwick Boseman joined Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans on the Marvel stage to confirm that he would play the Black Panther.
While not quite the same name recognition as Doctor Strange, Black Panther’s casting is of special historic significance at Marvel Studios and the genre, as it marks the first time a black superhero will be the star of his own mega-budgeted all-ages film. It also confirms Boseman having been on Marvel’s radar ever since his star-making turn as Jackie Robinson in last year’s 42.
The Black Panther has long been anticipated for getting the big screen treatment at Marvel Studios ever since a shared universe beyond The Avengers’ debut became a reality in most fans’ minds. Indeed, he had been rumored to appear in Phase Two well before today’s announcement.
And get a look at the concept art for his costume:
Known to comic book fans a T’Challa, the Black Panther hails from the fictional African nation of Wakanda, where T’Challa is chief (and thus known for ceremonies as “the Black Panther”). The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 in July 1966, several months prior to the founding of the Black Panther Party in October of that year. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Black Panther was the first major black superhero in American comics.
Boseman, who also played James Brown in this summer’s Get On Up, has been on a swift rise of recognition in the last year with his biopic work. The South Carolinian actor also appeared in this year’s Draft Day.
Black Panther is currently in pre-production with a release date slated for November 3, 2017.
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