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Marvel Making 'Black Panther' Movie Before 'Guardians of the Galaxy'?

by Ben Pearson
June 5, 2012
Source: Latino Review

Marvel President Kevin Feige has said multiple times that the company has one unannounced film left for release in 2014. By mapping out the galaxy to some extent in Thor and having the villains in The Avengers come from space, we assumed that a Guardians of the Galaxy movie would be one of the next projects coming down the Marvel pipeline. But Latino Review has a scoop that takes things in a totally different direction. Their source says instead of going intergalactic, Marvel plans on staying on Earth and giving Black Panther, the first black superhero to appear in mainstream comics, his own movie! More below!

Hailing from the fictional African nation of Wakanda, T'Challa becomes king of his land and inherits the mantle of the Black Panther. Since I know an embarrassingly small amount of information about this superhero, I'll let Wikipedia take it from here:

The title "Black Panther" is a rank of office, chieftain of the Wakandan Panther Clan. As chieftain, the Panther is entitled to eat a special heart-shaped herb which, in addition to his mystical connection with the Wakandan Panther god, grants him superhumanly acute senses and increases his strength, speed, stamina, and agility to the peak of human development. He has since lost this connection and forged a new one with another unknown Panther deity, granting him augmented physical attributes as well as a resistance to magic. His senses are so powerful that he can pick up a prey's scent and memorize tens of thousands of individual ones.

He is a skilled hunter, tracker, strategist, politician, inventor, and scientist—he has a Ph.D. degree in physics from Oxford University. Considered one of the eight smartest people on the planet, he is a genius in physics and advanced technology, and is a brilliant inventor.
T'Challa is a rigorously trained gymnast and acrobat, showing mastery in various African martial arts as well as contemporary ones and fighting styles that belong to no known disciplines.

Even a quick look through Wikipedia's entry gives a ton of great information about the character, and it sounds like this would be a fantastic film if Marvel decides to go for it. Latino-Review points out that some clues have been placed in previous Marvel movies, laying the groundwork for an eventual Black Panther movie: the country of Wakanda appears on a map in Iron Man 2, and vibranium (the stuff Captain America's shield is made out of) first appeared in Wakanda in the comics. As for casting, there's only one guy that immediately comes to mind that has both the physicality and the intelligence required for this part, and that is Serenity villain Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Latino-Review's sources are generally pretty reliable (they have four different ones for this story), but we should still take this with a grain of salt until we hear some solid confirmation. I assume Marvel will make a big announcement (maybe even after denying the story at some point today) about their upcoming slate at Comic-Con next month, but they're notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to addressing rumors, so I doubt we'll hear anything official until then. In the meantime, let us know what you think about the idea of a Black Panther movie and sound off with your own fantasy casting in the comments below!

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Chazzy

I like the sound of this.
- Lowrider_83
  
  I vote Erik King from the Dexter series as Black Panther. Although he is a bit tiny bit small.
FatBaby

I have no intrest in this movie AT ALL. Better come strong with the script or this will be a dud.
- Ginraie03
  
  asshole
  - Ginraie03isastupidname
    
    Fanboytard.
- Jericho
  
  i am kinda feeling the same way, guess it will depend on who directs it and if Marvel Knights end up producing...that alone will kill it.....
  - Lowrider_83
    
    ditto. The last thing we want is for this to become Blade 2 and 3 all over the fuck again.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Tyrell-Alford/100002694330814 Mark Tyrell Alford
  
  y cuz he black
- http://www.facebook.com/royal.k.alexander Royal Kazi Alexander
  
  FatBaby is one of few, I really question your reason for sayin you have no interest..? Could it be the racial aspect that plays a part?? Like really, what other heroes have as much of an influence on The Avengers like Black Panther does that makes you want to count him out?! Some of their greatest weapons & defense come from him or his country, did we forget vibranium is the same chit used to make adamantium in Marvel's 1960's. The same metal that's used in Cap's shield & fused to make Wolverine's adamantium claws that make him as vicious as he is. Let's get serious, give respect where it is due.. I've been anticipating this movie & I can't wait!! i'm just waitin for that official word that says The Black Panther WILL be marvel's previously untitled 2014 movie. Screw the assholes that try to talk chit or down The Black Panther. He is one of, The Great Stan Lee's greatest characters ever, not to mention one of his favorites!! Let's get this jumpin && make an epic Black Panther Trilogy!! >> Big hopes but it can happen, he has enuff backstory.
  - ayindi50
    
    Thanks man for this response!
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001816659482 Jamal Young
  
  Guarantee you camped out to see that garbage Green Lantern and Green Hornet.
HealthyPoison

Can't wait, hope its done right. Interesting to see who they will cast. Maybe Omari Hardwick? Or Michael Jai White?
- http://twitter.com/stalkbrandon Brandon V. Fletcher
  
  is djimon hounsou too hold? He would be perfect
  - mooreworthy
    
    He would have been awesome years ago. Im thinking his age might be a factor. Jai White would be better as Luke Cage. In my opinion.
  - Lowrider_83
    
    hold??? Seriously? I think there's no "H" there, Billy Madison.
    - http://twitter.com/stalkbrandon Brandon V. Fletcher
      
      yea yea. simple typo. it happens
- Rob Z
  
  Michael Jai White would be interesting considering he's already played a title character in a comic book movie (Spawn) and a minor character in another universe (Dark Knight). It would be nice to see him get a chance to shine on his own. However, at 44, he may be entirely too old to play the character. Although, I do agree with Ben. Based on his work in Serenity, Chiwetel Ejiofor would definitely be able to bring the intelligence of T'Challa to the big screen. An animated series of Black Panther is available on Netflix Instant for an introduction to the hero.
- Dominos83
  
  Dayo Okeniyi
rolow

michael jai white the best in martial arts and a great actor
- Razor
  
  The BEST in martial arts? :O
- Lowrider_83
  
  pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffff HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......huh, no.
http://twitter.com/FidelReyes_ Fidel Reyes

Cool!!
tvepndotcom

This is absolutely the right character to bring into the fold. Full on confidence that Feige and the execs will keep the consistency of the Marvel universe intact. I wish they could have gone into production now along with Iron Man 3 (as they did with Thor & Captain America in 2010). Better late than never.
http://www.fusedfilm.com/ Michael Lee

John Boyega should be the black panther.
BoB

Good idea to bring this to the big screen. Though I think this and a "Ant-Man & Wasp" movie should be made as well.
Big Boss

Either Anthony Mackie or Chiwetel Ejiofor in my book.
Guy who comments on things

I would MUCH prefer Ant Man personally. Good luck to them with this though, seems like a huge undertaking if it's true.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Tyrell-Alford/100002694330814 Mark Tyrell Alford
  
  u tell me who go see antman
  - Guy who comments on things
    
    Just as much people who would go to Black Panther?
Groov

Michael K. Williams. AKA Omar from The Wire. This would be the perfect role to deservedly blow this guy's career sky high.
comicbookmoviesRdumb

I "meh" in the general directions of all comic book movies.
- Kevinjay51
  
  You sound like a 'legend'
  - yo-mamma
    
    That's what yo mamma said last night.
jah p

This is right on point, because The Black Panther was going to be in the next Captain America anyway..as far as casting goes, Chiwetel is a good choice, but the guy that would absolutely nail this role is Sebastian Foucan, for those who don't know, he's the creator of freerunning/parkour, he's the guy in Casino Royale and he played the best assassin in the movie the Tournament! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu_qUn_90FE
Duck

AWWWWW YEEAAHHHH, that is all.
PlusSizedWomanist

I would say Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje would be a wonderful cast choice as well!!! (From GI Joe and The Mummy Returns)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_RVOUNUVJBCDRUNZ4Q2L6PROO24 Duane

You know what they shouldn't do? Cast a hollywood heavy weight. Surround him with heavy hitters... Fishburne... Jon Voight... Hell ... even Will Smith or Idris Elba.... but the lead if this should be a relative unknown. It will probably end up being an African-British actor (the likes of Idris or Chiwetel).. but I get the feeling they want some level named actor to attract at least a little box office draw. A fan casting site, comicbookmovie.com.... has some interesting choices that actually might work.... John Boyega (African/British... "Attack The Block") http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3915784/ Kinda young... but at 19... actually could make this into a franchised film have the audience track T'Challa from boy to man. Omar Sy (African/French..."The Untouchables") http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1082477/bio Opposite of Boyega... in that he is in his mid 30's... and may be too OLD for T'Challa. Colombus Short (Black/American "The Losers") http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1551922/ The only american in the fansite group (although Mackie may have been mentioned). He's decent enough... don't know if he can pull off action star. There are SO many other talented brothers out there that can do this role. I for one am excited to see it come into fruition. So many heroes had their shot (DareDevil, Ghost Rider,Punisher for example) I would love to see this one, succeed or fail, get the shot it deserves.
- WHAT!
  
  You are right they should not cast a Hollywood heavyweight...I think thye should go with Chad Coleman (Cutty from the The Wire)..he has the range need for this.
- Mrjones2k8
  
  Omar sy for sure would make an incredible Black Panther. Does he speak english though?
- http://twitter.com/Coach_Da_King Johnny Mossbkerg
  
  I say it should be micheal Jai White.... he's got the physique, fighting skills, looks, voice.. he's known but not too main stream, they can surround him with a couple heavy hitters to attract people to the theaters... may be throw sam jackson and chris evans in there some how, or an iron man cameo, get Hallie Berry as Storm......... If you dont rememberhim, He Played Mike Tyson, He was Spawn, He was the villain in Universal Soldier 2, etc.....
Mikejones

Michael Kenneth Williams. Done.
http://twitter.com/keithallen798 Keith Allen

Marvel makes great movies, so the panther should continue their winning streak.
happy camper

It make sense, but i wanna see Guardians of the Galaxy!
- mooreworthy
  
  With silver surfer and a Galactus thats not a swarm of dusts or whatever the heck that was.
mooreworthy

Awesome. They finally got my thousands of emails. They took a risk with Balde years ago while they were going bankrupt and he saved their asses. The panther will hopefully be done right .
Regg3266

Lance gross as the black panther
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001816659482 Jamal Young
  
  You gay
Regg3266

Lance gross for the black panther
Regg3266

Lance gross has the whole package for being the black panther
Lenny

Of course it's going to be Black Panther. That's the way The Avengers evolves. If you wanted a glimpse at the kind of story The Avengers Movie would follow, I said all along, check out Ultimate Avengers The Animated Movie. And who appears in Ultimate Avengers 2... Black Panther!
chuy281

the blk dude from clinicle we need a young guy,
Revhdm

idris elba would be perfect for the part!
- Temery0110
  
  Idris Elba already plays Heimdall in Thor
- http://www.facebook.com/tyrell.antonio1 Tyrell Antonio
  
  too bad he is already hiemdall
  - David Banner
    
    So, what about.... Human Torch/Captin America? Franklin 'Foggy' Nelson/Happy Hogan? Hannibal King/Deadpool? Nps, Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba can be Black Panther AND Heimdall
    - http://www.facebook.com/tyrell.antonio1 Tyrell Antonio
      
      human torch/Cap America are not in this same universe which starts with the first Iron-Man movie
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Tyrell-Alford/100002694330814 Mark Tyrell Alford
    
    that guy play Human Torch/ now he Captin America?
Key

Great news if true...they've left clues of this in previous films...they NEED to make an "ant-man & wasp" movie ASAP though..these along with a dr. strange (confirmed) and guardians of the galaxy (confirmed) would make SO much sense given the huge villain cameo at the end of Avengers...hopefully we get some cameos in iron man 3, thor 2 & cap 2
http://www.facebook.com/tyrell.antonio1 Tyrell Antonio

maybe anthony mackie, but i always figured Black Panther was an older guy anyway
Artmanjks

Djimon Hounsou was the voice in the motion comic on netflix. he would be perfect for the dad to pass it down to his son.maybe Chiwetel Ejiofo or isaiah mustafa lol
Icarus

Come on guys, it's gotta be Old Spice guy.
- David Banner
  
  Hmmm....that might just be a very good idea
peloquin

My vote is for Gabourey Sidibe.
loser

We need all the good guys to be black and all the villains to be all white. This is awesome. atlast can`t wait
dmx1999

Its wakanda not wakandan
Jay-Z

Kanye West or no deal
- Kwest
  
  lol
justsomedudeorsomething

Glover
Trel

If only Storm made an appearance i would love this even more
Ish

I think I will love this movie cues black panther is my fav marvel super hero..(: so please do this movie...and i want it to be will smith..(:
disqus_HEp1iGgQMY

Chiwetel Ejiofor or Mahershala Ali as T'Challa. Kieth David, Delroy Lindo or Avery Brooks as T'Chaka(Father). Alfre Woodard, or Iman as N'Yami & Ramonda (Mother) and Genevieve Nnaj as Ororo Munroe a.k.a. Storm, and Matthew Fox as Ulysses Klaw. And get the right writer and director to use these great actors correctly.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kendel-John-charles/659175056 Kendel John-charles

Sebastian Foucan for black panther hands down........i agree with jah p.............check this link ..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Ms.Marvel

Dayo Okeniyi for T'challa
Emma Frost

Dayo Okeniyi is a great choice for T'Challa!! All these actors that are too old could still be cast as T'Chakka. I mean, this formula of fresh face lead+famous supporting actors= totally worked. i.e. THOR I hope this movie happens soon!
http://twitter.com/Coach_Da_King Johnny Mossbkerg

I see all these ideas for who the Black panther should be. Wesley Snipes is too Old, Idris Elba is already Heimdall.... but you know who's actually more than right for the part? Micheal Jai White! If you dont who that is he's the guy who play Tyson in the Mike Tyson Movie. He was the main villain is Universal Soldier 2, and to give your an even better reason, he played Spawn, so he's already familiar with what fans want in a comic conversion to the screen. If you've ever seen his movies, check out undisputed 3 or Blood and Bone also, he's got the fighting prowess and he's about the right age and could pass for younger....
kevin clark

It's about time... I hope they do a good job of making it, like.... spider man or iron man
Nutella

You guys are so caught up I wanting an action star
Nutella

You need an actor first not a movie star someone who has intensity, highly intelligent and can go toe to toe with Downey Jr (not will smith who brings too much personality) and lose themselves in a character. Guys like Aldiss Hodge, bogeys, dude from planet of the apes are either too young or not good enough for the role. Get either Ejiofor or Mackie!
BlackTiger

Look guys if they did make Black Panther within this decade they would probably mess it up. I'm African British and even I know Marvel are known for messing up black superheroes on the live action screen. For example Blade he isn't really a superhero but Marvel count him as one , he is meant to be BRITISH BLACK and they couldn't get that right. But is not the worst mistake. I mean look at Storm from Xmen. She is meant to be a KENYAN queen with supernatural powers blessed from her African Village but yet they give the role to an AMERICAN actor who is half-WHITE. I'm not a racist but that is a directly slap in the face for those who expected their first African live action superhero. Guys I wouldn't rush Marvel into doing this. They would need: -a black actor WITH at least 1/4 African Ancestry, who can understand fully and appreaciate African culture -a specialist in martial arts -dark skin as in Wesley Snipes dark and above (no giving the roles to people like Will Smith cause he is black. We want an actual dark as night hero -finally an atually good script and villain, no crappy ones that have just been thought of like green panther, or black lion or ultimate panther.
- tee
  
  You funny....but so true....Michael jai white....end of story.
Mr bucket

you're all wrong. it's obvious that none of you know anything about this character or who would have the proper talents to play him. on two men come to my mind that could fill this roll (neither of which is wesley snipes): https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTIJQLwe_JBvYYZsj35mZyMb09qdueOIYUcCVT-pzsnfLlKSfvUqA or http://worldofblackheroes.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/michael-jai-white-1.jpg the latter being my number one candidate for sheer martial arts experience and closer resemblance to the actual character.
Lisa

I think you guys should check out the guy from "A Medeas Christmas" Shannon Williams he played Bobby. He has the height, look and size.
alpha omega

Luke Perry would be perfect black
Steve

I would like to see Michael Jai White play The Black Panther. He's young enough, he has the build for it, he's a black belt and I thought he did a good job in McFarland's Spawn movie.
Lord m

I hope the guy from red belt is black panther and I hope he fights the taskmaster
Keion williams

Djimon Gaston Hounsou
titanobvullust

i agree Chiwetel Ejiofor. would be a great pick for T'Challa . man i hope the movie comes out
Aaron

Micheal Jai White is a pretty buff dude however idk how he would seem doing the intelligent part for this role.. I compare all characters to Robert with Iron Man because he fits that part so perfectly
- Aaron
  
  Possibly even Djimon Hounsou but he is getting too old.