Ready to bear witness to a new Marvel legend? Ahead of the first teaser trailer dropping later tonight, the studio has unearthed a rather stunning poster for Black Panther, which anoints Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa king of Wakanda.
Set to air during Friday’s NBA finals – game 4, to be specific – barring the usual deluge of set photos and leaked videos, tonight will herald our first official look at Ryan Coogler’s standalone pic in action. Word is that we’ll catch a glimpse of T’Challa’s coronation ceremony, which would neatly align with the film’s eye-catching poster, coupled with a brutal fight scene involving Boseman’s would-be king and Ulysses Klaue. War For the Planet of the Apes star Andy Serkis is back to reprise his villainous role following that small, yet memorable turn in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and at least based on MCU architect Kevin Feige, Black Panther will actually act as a springboard for Infinity War.
Remember, Ryan Coogler’s solo flick, one which takes place in the aftermath of Captain America: Civil War, is the final Marvel movie to release before the advent of Joe and Anthony Russo’s colossal event film, so it’s only fitting that Black Panther will have strong ties to the Avengers and their oncoming tussle with Thanos, the Mad Titan.
Casting-wise, the Powers That Be over at Marvel have tapped a truly enviable lineup of Hollywood talent, with Boseman and Serkis set to share the screen with Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger), the Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Letitia Wright (Shuri), and Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi.
Directed by Ryan Coogler of Fruitvale Station and Creed, Black Panther claws its way into theaters on February 16th, 2018. Curious to see the standalone pic in action? You’ll be pleased to note that tonight’s NBA finals tip off at 6 pm PT on ABC, so keep your peepers peeled.
