Just days after Marvel introducedT’challa(Chadwick Boseman) in the Phase 3 blockbusterCaptain America: Civil War, the cast is starting to come together for theBlack Panthermovie.Star Wars: The Force AwakensstarLupita Nyong’ohas entered negotiations to star alongsideChadwick BosemaninBlack Panther, which has already been set for release on August 21, 2025. While it isn’t known exactly what character she’s playing, it is believed that she will portray T’challa’s love interest. Be warned, if you haven’t seenCaptain America: Civil Waryet, there will be minor spoilers below, so read on at your own risk.
It’s possible thatLupita Nyong’ois playing part of the Dora Milaje, an elite group of female bodyguards who are also potential candidates to become the newqueen of Wakanda. ButThe Hollywood Reportersays her specific character has yet to be revealed. We saw one member of the Dora Milaje inCaptain America: Civil War, which also showed the death of T’challa’s father, T’chaka (John Kani). Fans got a brief glimpse of Wakanda in the post-credit scene forCaptain America: Civil War, where Bucky Barnes was put into containment in one of Wakanda’s secret facilities, with the final shot showcasing a large panther statue.
During certain scenes ofCaptain America: Civil War, T’challa and T’chaka are seen speaking the Wakandan language, which directorJoe Russorecently revealed is an African language known as Xhosa, whichChadwick Bosemanlearned for these scenes. The director also revealed that over 7.6 million people speak this language, but it isn’t known ifLupita Nyong’o, who was raised in Kenya, speaks this language, or if she will be required to learn it for the role. We also don’t know if her unspecified character has been established in theMarvel Comics, or if it will be a new role created just for the film.
Ryan Coogler(Creed) is directingBlack Pantherfrom his own script, withJoe Robert Cole(American Crime Story) writing an earlier draft. ProducerKevin Feigerecently revealed thatproductionwill begin in early 2017, while teasing that casting announcements will start to be made this summer. We don’t know how many major characters have yet to be cast, or if a previously-established character with Wakandan ties will return. Last summer’sAvengers: Age of Ultronintroduced fans to Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), although we don’t know for sure if he will be back inBlack Panther.
Lupita Nyong’ohas put together quite a remarkable career in such a short amount of time. She made her feature film debut in the Best Picture winner12 Years a Slave, where she also won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Last year, she entered theStar Warsuniverse by playing Maz Kanata inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, a role she is reprising forStar Wars: Episode VIII, which is currently shooting in the U.K. Most recently, she voiced Rashka in Disney’s smash hitThe Jungle Book, and she will next be seen inQueen of Katwe.
