'Black Panther' may feature Andy Serkis' Ulysses Klaw as the main villain. Other possible choices include Man-Ape, White Wolf and Batroc the Leaper. The nation of Wakanda may also be introduced in the upcoming 'Captain America: Civil War'.
The upcoming standalone film starring Chadwick Boseman as Marvel's first mainstream superhero of color is yet to name its main villain. According to MoviePilot, Andy Serkis' Ulysses Klaw will likely make it on the film as he is essential to the unfolding of events in the story line.
In the comic books, Klaw is a hired assassin who succeeded in murdering Black Panther's father, T'Chaka, the king of the powerful African nation of Wakanda. T'Chaka refused to negotiate Wakanda's rich natural deposits, particularly Vibranium, and this decision led to his eventual assassination.
Other antagonists may also make it on the film including M'Baku a.k.a. Man-Ape, one of Wakanda's strongest warriors who attempted to usurp the throne while T'Challa was away. T'Challa's jealous adoptive brother Hunter a.k.a. White Wolf may be featured even though the two never got into physical combat in the comic books. The mercenary Batroc the Leaper fought the Black Panther in the 'Black Panther' animated series and could also be one of the villains in the upcoming film.
Boseman is set to make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 'Captain America: Civil War'. According to Cinema Blend, directors Joe and Anthony Russo hinted that audiences may also get a glimpse of Black Panther's home country of Wakanda. Although Anthony Russo avoided the topic when asked, his brother spoke up saying that the decision was still on the table but it was possible.
Ryan Coogler has recently been confirmed to direct the new film based on a screenplay by Joe Robert Cole. According to the Los Angeles Times, Marvel president Kevin Feige issued a statement praising Coogler's work in the critically acclaimed films 'Creed' and 'Fruitvale Station'.
Feige said, "The talents Ryan showcased in his first two films easily made him our top choice to direct 'Black Panther.' Many fans have waited a long time to see Black Panther in his own film, and with Ryan we know we've found the perfect director to bring T'Challa's story to life."
'Black Panther' is an upcoming action-adventure film scheduled to be released on February 16, 2018. It is intended as part of the MCU's Phase Three and tells the story of T'Challa, the prince of the fictional African Nation of Wakanda, as he takes on the role of Black Panther after his father is assassinated.
