When it was announced thatMarvel Studioswill have aHall Hpanel on Saturday night of Comic-Con 2016, the studio didn’t confirm which movies it would showcase. DirectorsJames GunnandScott Derricksonalready revealed that their moviesGuardians of the Galaxy 2andDoctor Strangewould be present, but we didn’t have any further details heading into the panel. One of the many surprises revealed for the fans was the confirmation of newBlack Panthercast membersMichael B. Jordan,Lupita Nyong’oandDanai Gurira, along with the characters they’re playing. Today we have highlights from this panel, along with new video interviews.
SinceBlack Pantherwon’t start filming until early 2017, there wasn’t any footage to show the SDCC crowd, but Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feigedid unveil the new logo, while bringing outChadwick Boseman(T’challa), along with a few of his new co-stars.Michael B. Jordanwas confirmed as Erik Killmonger, whileLupita Nyong’owas revealed to be Nakia andThe Walking DeadstarDanai Gurirahas come aboard as Okoye. There had been rumors thatLupita Nyong’o’s character would be a love interest forChadwick Boseman’s T’challa, but that hasn’t been confirmed quite yet.
There have previously been casting calls forBlack Pantherthat reveal other characters yet to be cast, such as Monica Lynne, a singer who saved T’challa from drowning after he was defeated by Killmonger. Monica Lynne is said to be T’challa’s “longest love interest,” whom he’s pledged “eternal devotion” to. Others include N’Gassi, T’calla’s adviser and acting regent when he’s away from Wakanda, Oyoke, whoDanai Gurirais playing, a former member of the Dora Miljae and now part of the J’Kwali tribe, Queen Divine Justice, another former Dora Miljae who is part of the Jabari tribe, W’kabi, T’challa’s second in command and Zuri, a close friend ofT’challa.
It is also believed that Ulysses Klaue, who was played byAndy Serkisin last year’sAvengers: Age of Ultron, and Everett K. Ross, played byMartin FreemaninCaptain America: Civil War, will be part of the movie. Oddly enough, though, the casting call specifies thatAndy Serkiswill be playing Ulysses Klaue, but they don’t mention thatMartin Freemanwill be returning as Everett K. Ross. It’s possible that this was merely an oversight, or Marvel could be re-casting the role.
The previouscastingcall also hinted that comic book characters such as Reverend Achibe, a poor farmer who sold his soul to Mephisto, Malice, a former Dora Miljae member with superhuman strength, Man-Ape, leader of the Jabari tribe and White Wolf, T’challa’s adopted older brother and former leader of Wakanda’s spy organization, Hatut Zeraze are also being cast. Naturally, Marvel hasn’t confirmed these characters yet, but withshooting beginningin just a few months, hopefully we’ll get confirmation on these characters soon. Until then, check out the panel highlights video from Comic-Con, along with video interviews withBlack PantherstarsChadwick Boseman,Danai Gurira,Lupita Nyong’o,Michael B. Jordan, producerKevin Feigeand directorRyan Coogler.
