UPDATE: January 11, 2017: In a statement released by Disney, they have confirmed that Phylicia Rashad is NOT in ‘Black Panther.’ Apparently, the reason her name was removed from Sterling Brown’s statement was because of that fact. Whether he misspoke or was misquoted was not elaborate upon but for those who were looking forward to seeing Rashad in the film, we’re sorry to have to dash your hopes.
Original story below:
Sterling K. Brown is having an exemplary year right now with his Golden Globe nomination for playing Chris Darden in ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,’ his starring role in NBC’s ‘This is Us,’ and getting cast in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther,’ but things could take a turn for him as he has potentially landed himself in some hot water over at the Marvel camp. With everything going on, the man is clearly very happy and very excited, and in my opinion can be forgiven for a little slip up, which is exactly what occurred while he was being interviewed recently, and he accidentally let slip that Phylicia Rashad is a member of the ‘Black Panther’ cast, a fact that had been kept secret from the public up to this point. According to the original quote of his interview with The Undefeated:
“I just worked with Chad [Boseman] on a film called Marshall, about Thurgood Marshall. He’s such a talented human being and a deep soul. He’s the perfect personality to fully inhabit T’Challa. So, to rejoin him, and to work with Academy Award winners … to be with Michael B. Jordan after the incredible work he’s done in Creed. Danai Gurira, Phylicia Rashad, Forest Whitaker — like, it’s embarrassing. I’m good at what I do — I don’t try to do any sort of false modesty — but, ‘Wow! I get to be with all of you people!?!’ I think Ryan Coogler is one of the great storytellers that we have working today. The meeting I had with Nate Moore before I even got to chance to audition for Panther, and to see the level of knowledge, and just passion that he has for the whole universe, and for this project in particular … it’s in such good hands. I worked with Joe Robert Cole — he was one of our writers on The People vs. O.J. who co-writes with Ryan Coogler [on Panther]. Like, everyone is so good at what they do.”
For those unsure of whether or not it was a big deal, shortly after news of her involvement in ‘Black Panther’ came out on the internet Brown’s quote was censored to remove her name, but of course, by then it was too late. One can only hope Marvel was not too angry with Brown for letting the secret out, as at least we still have no idea what her role is, or if it is just a small cameo. And in a way, it should not be that much of a surprise considering the fact that Rashad worked with Ryan Coogler on his last film, ‘Creed,’ and clearly would have been interested with working with him again if things went well the first time around.
Are you excited to hear Phylicia Rashad is part of the ‘Black Panther’ cast? Share your opinions on the matter in the comment below!
Source: The Undefeated via Comic Book
