Marvel Studios is diving into 2017 in a big way by simultaneously beginning filming on two huge movies. As the demand has increased for their superhero movies over the years, they have responded by simply making more films annually.  This week actor Dave Bautista reported for duty for Avengers: Infinity War, from directors Joe and Anthony Russo (Captain America: Civil War). Meanwhile, the long-awaited Black Panther movie began filming as well and many new faces are showing up to the film's set every day.

This week, there have already been several actors spotted on the Black Panther set. Martin Freeman has been seen in character reprising his role as Everett Ross, a government official who is very familiar with the Avengers world. Meanwhile, the Black Panther himself, Chadwick Boseman was also recently photographed in costume as T'Challa, the new ruler of Wakanda.

Today, another key member of the Black Panther production, Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave), took to Twitter to update her fans with the news that the Marvel movie is officially "rolling." In the photo, the actress seems to be covered in a black cloak. This is likely an attempt to hide her on-screen costume, which is standard practice for these sorts of high-profile blockbusters. Regardless, it's hard to not feel the infectious glee that the actress radiates in the candid photo.

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Nyong'o isn't the only acclaimed or Academy Award winning, actor in Black Panther. The upcoming superhero film has managed to attract some of Hollywood's most acclaimed acting talent, including Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Forest Whitaker (Rogue One), Angela Bassett (American Horror Story), Sterling K. Brown (The People Vs OJ Simpson), and Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead). In addition, the film is being directed by Ryan Coogler, who has proven to be one of the brightest young storytellers around - based on his previous two films, Fruitvale Station and Creed.

There are glaring clues to how Nyong'o may fit into the Black Panther movie, within the pages of Marvel Comics. Nyong'o is playing Nakia, a prominent member of the Dora Milaje, the all-female secret service for T'Challa. In traditional Wakandan culture, the Dora Milaje was also the pool where the king would choose his future bride, since they are considered the elite of Wakandan society. However, T'Challa is progressive and chose to veer away from the tradition. Instead, he chose to look at the individuals of the Dora Milaje as sisters or family. This doesn't sit well with Nakia, who had fallen obsessively in love with the Wakandan king. She feels spurned which leads her into an alliance with Erik Killmonger, played by Jordan, who upgrades the already lethal warrior and she's "reborn" as the villainous, Malice.

It's unclear if the movie will follow this comic storyline; however, it would offer the Oscar-winner Nyong'o a meaty role to tackle. In the past, Nyong'o has shared her unabashed excitement over the film, as well as the opportunity to stretch her talents by "learning all the stunts and the physical skills I need to play Nakia." Fortunately for Marvel fans, we will have to wait just over a year to see Nakia, Dora Milaje, and the entire Black Panther world brought to cinematic life.

Source: Lupita Nyong'o