During the Marvel Studios panel at San Diego Comic-Con this year, Kevin Feige and filmmaker Ryan Coogler remained relatively tight-lipped about ‘Black Panther’. Other than revealing some key cast members, we didn’t get anything new about T’Challa’s first feature film. However, it turns out that one of the movie’s stars spilled a few details afterwards.
In an interview with Marvel LIVE! following the House of Ideas’ Hall H presentation, Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o discussed some plot points for the upcoming Phase Three film. The actress, who is lined up Nakia of the Wakanda special forces known as the Dora Milaje, revealed that there will be team-ups galore:
“The story of ‘Black Panther’ is- What am I allowed to say? – The story is that the Black Panther’s leadership is really threatened by two foes who come together, and so Black Panther gets the help of the CIA and the Dora Milaje to try and defeat the enemy.”
Based on the information shared at the panel, Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger is certainly one of the Panther’s foes, but who will be the other one that he joins forces with? All signs point to Ulysses Klaue AKA Klaw, a villainous arms dealer played by motion capture guru Andy Serkis in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ who was after Wakandan vibranium.
The other interesting detail that Nyong’o mentioned is the CIA. That all but confirms the return of Martin Freeman’s Everett Ross, but in order to take down enemies, T’Challa may need more aggressive allies. Does this mean that Emily VanCamp’s Sharon Carter could make an appearance in Wakanda? What if Coogler introduces some other characters associated with the CIA in the Marvel Universe? For example, Marc Spector (AKA the vigilante Moon Knight) had a stint in the organization before becoming a mercenary and an Avenger. Alphonso “Mack” McKenzie (who is played by Henry Simmons on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’) also has ties to the CIA in the comics. Of course, that hardly means that we’ll see these characters for sure, but it seems like the Black Panther and the Dora Milaje might need some extra help if they’re bringing in the CIA.
What do you think about the first plot details for ‘Black Panther’? Who do you think will join forces to challenge T’Challa and his leadership? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments.
‘Black Panther’ starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, and Danai Gurira hits theaters on July 6, 2018.
Despite being a “professional writer”, Ben likes run-on sentences far too much. For more of his attempts at being funny and the occasional insightful thought, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
