Here's where the other Avengers characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are during Black Panther. The MCU teased the introduction of Wakanda long before Black Panther through the use of Vibranium, but it was in Phase 3 that Chadwick Boseman finally debuted as T'Challa, the leader of the technologically advanced country and man under the Black Panther mask. Boseman stole nearly every scene in Captain America: Civil War, making fans even more excited for his solo film.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther features the MCU's most diverse cast to date and further established T'Challa as one of the foundations of the universe's future. The movie hit theaters in early 2018 and became a massive success financially and critically, as it went on to be nominated for Best Picture and win multiple Oscars. Even though Black Panther was the last film released before Avengers: Infinity War, its place on the MCU timeline comes a few years before. The majority of the film is set one week after Captain America: Civil War, which puts Black Panther in the year 2016 in the MCU timeline.

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There's no question when Black Panther takes place, but it was somewhat surprising how disconnected the film was from what else is happening in the MCU. The references to other MCU movies and events are minimal and Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) is the only character to appear who had a notable role before. There is a cameo by Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) during one of the post-credits scenes, but otherwise, Black Panther focuses on the conflict between T'Challa and Killmonger. T'Challa proves that he can handle his regal duties without the aid of the Avengers, and here's what they were doing instead.

Iron Man

T'Challa and Tony Stark had a pre-existing relationship before Black Panther as they fought on the same side in Captain America: Civil War. But Iron Man didn't intervene with any of T'Challa's business. During the events of Black Panther, Tony's whereabouts are fairly vague. With just a week passing from his showdown with Captain America, Tony is still the leader of the Avengers. It is possible that he was working on a mission with Vision and War Machine. It's also known, thanks to Spider-Man: Homecoming, that Tony rekindles his relationship with Pepper Potts within two months. After playing a part in the Avengers breaking up, Tony has likely already started making things right with the girl of his dreams by the time Black Panther begins.

Captain America

Captain America: Civil War concept art - Black Panther vs. Captain America

Steve Rogers and T'Challa were at odds when Captain America: Civil War started, but they found common ground by the end, as Steve took Bucky to Wakanda to try and remove Hydra's programming. After this visit to Wakanda though, Captain America is in the early days of his time on the run. Steve is a fugitive of the law after not signing the Sokovia Accords and becomes an even bigger target later on. He is responsible for freeing Falcon, Hawkeye, Ant-Man, and Scarlet Witch from The Raft, which takes place around the same time as Black Panther. What Captain America did next isn't exactly known, other than continuing to stay in the shadows.

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Thor

Thor in chains held captive by Surtur in Thor: Ragnarok

Thor hasn't met T'Challa by the time Black Panther takes place, and that's because he's busy exploring the galaxy. The end of Avengers: Age of Ultron sent Thor on a journey to learn more about the Infinity Stones after several of them resurfaced in a short time span. The MCU hasn't shown too much of what Thor did during this time, but Thor: Ragnarok shows that it does get him into quite a bit of trouble on occasion. The film's opening where he's trapped by Surtur takes place roughly two years after Black Panther though, so Thor is still very early on in his Infinity Stone related quest at this point.

Hulk

Why did Hulk leave in Avengers: Age of Ultron?

Hulk didn't appear in Black Panther for a variety of reasons, but one of the most significant is because he wasn't even on Earth. The end of Avengers: Age of Ultron saw Hulk fly away in a quinjet and Thor: Ragnarok revealed he wound up on Sakaar. His arrival on the Grandmaster's domain immediately made him a prized possession of the eccentric leader. Hulk became a contestant in the Sakaar arena and quickly became the Champion. It isn't known if all of this happened before Black Panther, but Hulk having control over Banner for two years by the time of Ragnarok indicates that the Green Goliath is likely already Champion of Sakaar at this time.

Black Widow

Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova during a battle sequence in Black Widow

Black Widow's absence in Black Panther hasn't been given too much attention yet, but that will change soon. Natasha was on the run at the end of Captain America: Civil War after turning on Team Iron Man and the Sokovia Accords, and Avengers: Infinity War showed that she linked up with Captain America at some point after. But Black Widow is where fans will actually learn where Natasha is when Black Panther takes place. Scarlett Johansson's solo film appears to pick up shortly after Civil War, so it could take place concurrently with Black Panther. From what is known about Black Widow, Natasha is dealing with her past, reuniting with her Russian family, and fighting Taskmaster while the events of Black Panther play out.

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Hawkeye

Hawkeye Family in Avengers Age of Ultron

Clint Barton didn't appear in Black Panther either, but his whereabouts can potentially be pieced together. He was set free from The Raft by Captain America at the end of Captain America: Civil War, but Clint didn't stay with Steve and become a Secret Avenger. Instead of losing more time with his family, Hawkeye signs a plea deal with the government for violating the Sokovia Accords. Ant-Man also signed one of these deals and it is possible that they were agreed to at or around the same time. Since Scott Lang completed his two years of house arrest by the end of Ant-Man and the Wasp, Hawkeye would've been nearing the end of his as well by Avengers: Infinity War. This means that Hawkeye is more than likely at the Barton household experiencing the early days of the house arrest during Black Panther and spending time with his family.

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