Marvel will release the “Black Panther” movie in 2018, but the first black superhero will get his onscreen debut in the upcoming “Captain America: Civil War.”
Played by Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther’s real name is T’Challa, the prince of a fictional African national called Wakanda. But comic book fans already knew all of that. The real question is: how will Black Panther translate to the screen?
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Boseman, Chris Evans, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and “Civil War” executive producer Nate Moore break down what fans can expect from the hero’s big-screen debut.
Black Panther Is All Business According to Boseman, while Marvel heroes like Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) are famous for their wit and snark, Black Panther has a more serious persona.
“He’s definitely not the life of the party in this instance,” Boseman said. “Not to say there’s not charm and he can’t be a ladies’ man and all that. It’s more like if there is humor, it’s more like James Bond.”
Black Panther Is a Man Divided T’Challa is trying to make his way in the modern world, while still remaining loyal to his family and its legacy.
“There definitely is a sort of tradition that he’s torn between, in terms of how things were done in the past and how things need to happen now in this new world,” Boseman said. “I think there’s perhaps a bit of a maverick there, and then there’s also a need to live up to traditions and his father’s legacy.”
Black Panther Has a Lot in Common with Captain America Despite the fact that they will start out as foes in “Civil War,” Chris Evans says that Black Panther and Captain America are a lot alike.
“I love our scenes together because I do think they feel a sense of responsibility. I think they’re both very selfless people,” Evans said. “They want the right thing, no one’s irrational, no one has an inflated ego. They’re family-first people. I think outside of the suits we’d be friends, Steve and T’Challa.”
Black Panther Has His Own Arc/Conflict Feige said the Marvel team toyed with the idea of introducing a character like Black Panther in “Civil War” until finally realizing it made the most sense to just introduce Black Panther himself. But in doing so, the hero had to have his own conflict within the story and not just be an auxiliary character.
“We introduce him here, give him an arc, and make him a full character,” Feige said. “We don’t just give him a cameo, to wave. He has his own conflict and his own people that he’s looking out for.”
This is a Younger, More Fiery Black Panther The Black Panther in the comics is known for being wise beyond his years, but according to Moore, this Black Panther is still learning how to be a hero.
“I think this is Black Panther in his younger years, where he maybe is a little bit more fiery than I think how they write him in the comics because he’s very much in the nascent stages of being a hero,” Moore said. “So that means he is probably more fallible than the Black Panther that you read in comics, but for reasons that are completely logical.”
“Captain America: Civil War” opens in theaters on May 6.
The Evolution of Marvel Movies: From Dolph Lundgren's 'Punisher' to 'Ant-Man' (Photos)
"Howard the Duck" (1986) - In this Marvel-meets-George-Lucas sci-fi comedy, a human-size duck is propelled to Earth from outer space as the result of a scientific mishap. Emphasis was placed on special effects and portraying Howard as a less cynical duck than that in the comic.
Universal Pictures
"The Punisher" (1989) - Dolph Lundgren donned a signature skull shirt for a violent adaptation of the story of vigilante Frank Castle, a.k.a The Punisher
New World Pictures
"Fantastic Four" (1994) - Legend has it that Roger Corman produced this low-budget adaptation so that a producer could retain the film rights to the comic. Though never released theatrically, it is available on YouTube.
New Horizons
"Generation X" (1996) - Hoping to capitalize on the popular “X-Men” animated series of the '90s, “Generation X” was a TV movie that aired on Fox about a school for the gifted run by Emma Frost and Banshee.
Fox Network
"Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." (1998) - David Hasselhoff donned Nick Fury’s eye-patch long before Sam Jackson in this made-for-TV-movie that premiered on Fox.
Fury Productions/Fox Network
"Blade" (1998) - Wesley Snipes headlined as a half-man, half-vampire fighting against an evil bloodsucker intent on taking over the world
Marvel/New Line Cinema
"X-Men" (2000) - Hugh Jackman achieved international fame as Wolverine in the story of the famed Marvel superhero team
Marvel/Twentieth Century Fox
"Hulk" (2003) - Ang Lee's much maligned story of Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) as he struggles to control the raging monster within himself
Marvel/Universal Pictures
"Daredevil" (2003) - Ben Affleck earned plenty of scorn for his portrayal of the blind defender of Hell's Kitchen. Nevertheless, the film earned almost $180 million globally
Marvel/New Regency
"The Punisher" (2004) - Thomas Jane took over as Frank Castle in this ultra-violent vigilante tale that also starred John Travolta
Marvel/Lionsgate
"Elektra" (2005) - Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra Natchios, an international assassin, in the spin-off from the more successful 2003 film, Daredevil.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Man-Thing" (2005) - Marvel tried its hand at horror with the “Man-Thing,” loosely based on Stan Lee's swamp monster comic from '71. It features a swamp-monster whose touch burns people who feel fear.
Lions Gate/Artisan Entertainment
"Ghost Rider" (2007) - Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes starred in the story of a motorcycle daredevil (Cage) who sold his soul to the devil.
Marvel/Columbia Pictures
"Iron Man" (2008) - The movie that launched the MCU into the stratosphere starred Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark, a weapons manufacturerer who decides to defend the innocent who are caught in the path of the very weapons he once designed
Marvel/Paramount
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) - Edward Norton took over the role of Dr. Bruce Banner in the setup to the eventual "Avengers" crossover
Marvel/Universal
"Captain America" (2011) - Chris Evans took up the red, white, and blue shield of the First Avenger as he fought against Hydra head Red Skull (Hugo Weaving)
Marvel/Paramount
"Thor" (2011) - Chris Hemsworth played the hammer-wielding god of thunder as he battles his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for control of the mythical realm of Asgard
Marvel/Paramount
"The Avengers" (2012) - The superhero team assembled for this blockbuster as they fought to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Mark Ruffalo took over the role of Bruce Banner from Edward Norton
Marvel/Paramount
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) - Chris Pratt proved himself to be an action superstar as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill in this intergalactic sensation that grossed almost $775 million
Marvel Studios
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) - The Avengers assemble once again as they try to stop Ultron, an A.I. built by Tony Stark that wants to destroy humanity
Marvel Studios
"Ant-Man" (2015) Paul Rudd plays a thief just out of prison who stumbles on a suit that shrinks him to microscopic size -- all the better to prevent Corey Stoll's evil executive from using the same technology for warfare.
Marvel Studios
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