'Black Panther' screenwriter Joe Robert Cole boasted the standalone film's historical significance as well as being a platform for African-American communities. It was revealed that Wakanda and T'Challa's origin story will not be featured in the upcoming 'Captain America: Civil War'.
According to Blastr, Cole expressed his enthusiasm over being chosen as the screenwriter for the upcoming standalone 'Black Panther' film starring Chadwick Boseman as the titular T'Challa. Cole also wrote a draft for the 'Inhumans', an upcoming development at Marvel as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Part Three. During an interview with Mother Jones, Cole explained how important it was for him as a man of color to pen the screenplay for Marvel's first mainstream African-American superhero.
Cole said, "Black Panther is a historic opportunity to be a part of something important and special, particularly at a time when African Americans are affirming their identities while dealing with vilification and dehumanization. The image of a black hero on this scale is just really exciting. When I was a kid, I would change superheroes' names: Instead of James Bond, I was James Black. Instead of Batman, I was Blackman. And I have a three-year-old son. My son will be five when Black Panther comes out. That puts it all into perspective for me."
According to another article by Outer Places, the fictional nation of Wakanda will feature greatly in the standalone film. In the original comic books, the small African nation boasts massive deposits of Vibranium, making it one of the richest and most technologically advanced countries in the worlds. Although the depiction of Wakanda will vary greatly from African nations portrayed in films, Cole said that he would make sure the movie preserves and justifies African culture.
He said, "Approaching the movie from a perspective that is rooted in the cultures of [Africa] is important. [We're all] cognizant of what's going on in the world, in black communities, and in our country. We are aware of the importance of that, and the platform this movie provides us with. I write characters focusing on them as human beings, and then you wrap them within a culture."
Boseman is set to make his cinematic debut in the MCU in the upcoming 'Captain America: Civil War'. However, according to Newsarama, Wakanda and T'Challa's origin story will not be explored in the film. The 39-year old actor revealed, "You meet me as the Prince of Wakanda... You meet me as a politician/monarch, not as a superhero... It's not necessarily a transformation. I am just thrown into the mix. To answer your question, yes, I am already Black Panther."
'Black Panther' is an upcoming action-adventure film directed by Ryan Coogler and written by Joe Robert Cole. It is scheduled to be released on February 16, 2018 and is intended as part of the MCU's Phase Three.
