Since Marvel unleashed Captain America: Civil War last month, it's performed very well at the box office and earned favorable reviews from critics and comic book fans everywhere. Having opened with $181.7 million in its first three days, it became Marvel's third-highest movie opening weekend behind The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron. So successful was the reception to the Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) solo movie, it passed the $1 billion mark in two short weeks, making it the top-earning film of 2016 so far.
Civil War brings together many fan-favorites - Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Cap himself (Chris Evans) - yet it was the Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomers that stood out. In addition to Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther was the name on everyone's lips after his memorable portrayal of Wakanda's prince-turned king, T'Challa. Even prior to his rousing on-screen debut, the character had a solo movie confirmed, with Creed and Fruitvale Station helmer Ryan Cooler directing.
Recently, the likes of Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave), John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Coogler's Fruitvale Station and Creed star, Michael B. Jordan have all been linked to the Boseman-headlined Black Panther movie. Although Boyega was quickly ruled out of the running, Jordan and Nyong'o's affiliations have remained unconfirmed, but all but official. Now Jordan himself has confirmed that both he and Nyong'o are onboard for Coogler's MCU film, having told THR:
"I’m super excited, especially to put a different spin on it. I’m looking forward to working with Ryan [Coogler] once again. It’s gonna be a good time."
Without the actor himself or even Disney or Marvel officially confirming his involvement in the project, until now that is, it's a pleasant surprise to hear the talented star talking so enthusiastically about it. No doubt having previously worked with Coogler on both critically acclaimed films Creed and prior to that Fruitvale Station had a part to play in the pair teaming up for a third time on Black Panther - and frankly, the prospect is exciting.
Not only did Jordan verbally address his own participation in Black Panther, but he also let slip (intentionally or otherwise) how excited he is to be worth alongside both Coogler and Nyong'o on the comic book movie. When asked a series of quick-fire questions, ranging from who his screen crush is (which he still remains tight-lipped over), to the role he most wish he'd played (it's Ben Affleck's in Armageddon, if you must know), the 29-year-old answered, "Lupita Nyong'o and Chadwick Boseman [in Black Panther]" when quizzed over who he cannot wait to work with.
With limited concrete information being available for Black Panther at this stage, other than screenwriter Joe Robert Cole's promise that actual African culture will heavily inform the film, the identity of Jordan's and/or Nyong'o's characters in the movie remain unknown. What fans can be certain of is, if the cast and crew's track record is anything to go by, Black Panther will be one Marvel entry to keep a close eye on.
NEXT: Ryan Coogler Calls Black Panther a 'Personal' Movie
Captain America: Civil War is in theaters now. Doctor Strange opens November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel– March 8, 2019; Avengers: Infinity War Part 2– May 3, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.
Source: THR