Directed by Ryan Coogler and featuring Chadwick Boseman as the titular superhero king, "Black Panther" is easily one of the most anticipated superhero movies yet. But before you order your tickets, here are six things you need to know about the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
"Civil War" also introduced moviegoers to Martin Freeman's Everett K. Ross, a character who will play a crucial role in "Black Panther." Where before Ross was a CIA agent helping to enforce the fledgling Superhuman Registration Act, now he's acting as a liaison of sorts between the US and the secretive nation of Wakanda.
"Black Panther" is the first time in the MCU where we'll actually spend some legit time there (more than the few seconds in the "Civil War" end credits sting.) Wakanda's emergence is going to be a very big deal in the MCU, as the outside world comes to grips with the fact that a highly advanced society has been hiding in plain sight -- in the heart of Africa -- for centuries. T'Challa's greatest challenge as king will be in deciding how to guide his homeland into an uncertain future where isolationism is no longer an option.
As our hero deals with bringing his country to the world stage, he'll face a great deal of political unrest within his homeland. Not everyone is happy about the prospect of being led by this young, unproven monarch. But any good king has friends and advisors to rely upon, and T'Challa is no exception. The film will introduce several new allies for Black Panther, including his sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), his stepmother, Ramonda (Angela Bassett), close friend W'Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), and advisor Zuri (Forest Whitaker).
T'Challa will also call upon the skills of his elite bodyguards, the Dora Milaje (think Wakanda's version of an all-female Seal Team Six), a group that includes Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) and Okoye (Danai Gurira).
His chief nemesis is Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), a Wakandan exile and mercenary with designs on the throne. The trailers make it clear that Killmonger will eventually gain possession of his own Black Panther suit and test his might against T'Challa.
Wakandan culture worships the panther god Bast, and one of the gifts of the Black Panther is their ability to enter the spiritual realm and directly commune with both their ancestors and Bast herself. Expect that side of the character to be explored in the new movie, as we learn that Black Panther's power -- as well as Wakanda itself -- is as much spiritual as it is technological. (While visiting the film's set, we saw some interesting concept art depicting the above plain -- or rather, a more astrological version of it -- with the land replaced by what looked like an eye's iris and pupil, one laid out flat and stretching across the horizon line. Take that, "Doctor Strange.")
Boseman has signed a five-picture contract with Marvel Studios, and you'd better believe they're going to make the most of it. Boseman will reprise his role three months later in "Avengers: Infinity War," as Wakanda becomes a ground zero of sorts for Thanos' invasion of Earth. Fans have speculated that Wakanda may be home to the Soul Stone, the sixth and final Infinity Stone (and the only one that has yet to be featured in the MCU).
