"Black Panther" will not debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe until 2018, but important tidbits and plot teasers have been revealed about the superhero film as of late. Lupita Nyong'o, for instance, disclosed some info about the movie's plot and villains during Comic-Con 2016.
Nyong'o will portray the character Nakia, a member of the Dora Milaje or the elite female bodyguards of Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther, also known as King T'Challa of Wakanda. Nyong'o told Entertainment Weekly that Nakia has a complicated relationship with the group's leader, Okoye (Danai Gurira).
Two Enemies Coming Together Against Black Panther
During Marvel's live broadcast at SDCC 2016, Nyong'o said Black Panther's leadership "is being threatened by two foes that come together, and so Black Panther gets the help of the CIA and the Dora Milajei to try to defeat the enemy." Watch Nyong'o discuss the film in the clip below. After her statement, the 33-year-old actress joked that she might get fired soon if she doesn't "shut up" about the movie.
So who are those two foes Nyong'o was talking about? We all know that Michael B. Jordan will portray Black Panther's nemesis Erik Killmonger, a Wakandan with the birth name N'Jadaka and is an expert fighter, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The other villain rumored to be teaming up with Killmonger is Andy Serkis' Ulysses Klaw, a character first seen in 2015's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and who has ties to Wakanda for smuggling vibranium.
In the comics, Klaw forced Killmonger's father to work for him when he attacked Wakanda. When that plan failed, T'Challa exiled Killmonger's whole family from the country, resulting to Killmonger ending up in Harlem, New York with so much hatred for T'Challa that he vowed to overthrow the Wakandan king from his throne.
Chadwick Boseman On Black Panther's Resonance
Boseman said in an interview with People that Black Panther will "ring true to people" especially with the racial divides currently occurring in America. The actor said the superhero will bring "a bit of a balance" to a world that promotes inequality and disparity.
Other characters for "Black Panther" are yet to be cast. This includes T'Challa's adviser N'Gassi, his close friend Zuri, his second-in-command W'Kabi, former Dora Miljae member Queen Divine Justice, and Monica Lynne, who is said to be Black Panther's "longest love interest" whom he's promised "eternal devotion" to, MovieWeb reported.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, "Black Panther" will bow in theaters on Feb. 16, 2018. Filming will begin in early 2017.
