T’Challa first appeared in the pages of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s 1966 Fantastic Four (#52). Now, the heir to the Wakandan throne gets ready to take center stage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther.”
With barely a week before the film strikes in Philippines cinemas February 14, here are the ten biggest fun-facts about “Black Panther” – from the Wakandan king T’Challa, the women that make up the Dora Milaje, the main antagonists, and Wakanda itself.
1: The Marvel Cinematic Universe “Black Panther” is based on Christopher Priest and Ta-Nehisi Coates’ comics runs.
2: “Black Panther” continues exactly where “Captain America: Civil War” left off.
3: “Black Panther” explores what happens when T’Challa returns home, how does Wakanda cope with the loss of T’Challa’s father, King T’Chaka, and if T’Challa is ready to be the king of Wakanda.
4: Expect to see and learn about the Dora Milaje (the “Adored Ones”) or as “Black Panther” Executive Producer Nate Moore describes them, “an all-female Seal Team Six,” led by Okoye (Danai Gurira).
5: In fact, Chadwick Boseman wants you to know that there are no damsels in distress in this film.
6: T’Challa’s 16 year old sister Shuri may very well be the smartest person in the world, and she heads up Wakanda’s technology. Tony, did you hear that? Step up your game!
7: The independent African nation, Wakanda, is the most technologically-developed city in the world. Its advancements is due in part to Vibranium, their knowledge of handling Vibranium, and their isolation from the rest of the world.
8: There is no shortage of James Bond-like action in this film. Lupita Nyong’o even handles her own stunts giving heavy Judo and Jujitsu influences to Nakia’s fighting style.
9: Can we expect any of our Avengers popping up on screen? According to Moore, “There’s so many characters in the Black Panther world that we wanted to explore, we didn’t want to rely on cameos from other movies.”
10: As for our antagonists, filmgoers can expect to learn more about Ulysses Klaue’s relationship to Wakanda and Erik Killmonger’s vision for Wakanda’s power and legacy.
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
The film stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.
Marvel Studio’s Black Panther is distributed in the Philippines by The Walt Disney Company.