WAKANDA FOREVER, BLACK PANTHER 2 Set To Arrive In 2022

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It was no secret that after BLACK PANTHER became a global phenomenon that a sequel was a given. Well Disney made the official announcement during the D23 Expo.

Ryan Coolger, who returns to helm and write the sequel, revealed the news onstage in Anaheim alongside Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige.

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Coogler’s return was confirmed in October as details of the sequel emerged after the original became a massive hit, grossed $1.35 billion at the worldwide box office.

Chadwick Boseman starred in the first pic along with Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Latitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Forest Whitaker and Sterling K. Brown.

BLACK PANTHER IS AN OSCAR WINNER

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At the time of this the 91st Academy Awards are currently under way and as of now the Marvel Cinematic Universe has both its first and second Oscars as Black Pantherhas so far won awards for Best Costume Designer for Ruth E. Carter and Best Production Design to  Hannah Beachler respectively.

The film that has become a cultural phenomenon is still up for Best Picture. Stay tuned here for updates.

UPDATE the film has also won for Best Original Score composed by Ludwig Gorranson

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Why Black Panther Is Worthy Of Its Oscar Nomination

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Every year around awards season there is always a big question of what films will be nominated for awards, which ones should be nominated and which one’s should not. This year has been no different as one film in particular has caused much of a stir around its nomination for Best Picture. This film of course is Marvel Studio’s Black Panther. Along with being nominated for a total of 7 Academy Awards the superhero flick is the first of its genre to be nominated for the Oscar’s top prize which is set to be handed out on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

Social media was sent ablaze once the nomination announcements were made on January 20, 2019 presented by Tracee Ellis Ross and Kumail Nanjiani. Many of course were extremely excited, the comic book hero film which broke box office records at the time of its release staying at number one at the box office for 13 weeks as well as reaching one billion dollars within a record amount of time. The story of T’challa (played by Chadwick Boseman), prince of the fictional kingdom of Wakanda, now returns home to assume the mantle of king after his father T’chaka (played by John Kani) was murdered during the events of Captain America: Civil War. T’challa is faced with new challenges as king and ruling a kingdom while also having to save it from would be usurper, Killmonger (played by Michael B. Jordan).

Many felt as if the film, its story and acting were not worthy of the nomination of the MPAA’s top honor however there are many including this writer who believes it fully is and here are the many reasons in which it should have and these will hopefully shed some light and give a better understanding as to why this writer believes Black Panther is in the position it is.

Cultural relevancy

For African Americans growing up there were not many if any superheroes that were at the forefront of comic books. Most were either a sidekick on ancillary characters. They were not the focal point. True there is Luke Cage but his relevancy and success is in part due to the success of its predecessor in Black Panther. After T’challa’s introduction in the comic book world in Fantastic Four #52 people were excited to learn more about this character and see his adventures going forward.

When superhero films began to become more mainstream the viewing audience was introduced to those we were familiar with from popular cartoons, Spiderman, X-Men and Blade (even though Blade was never marketed or advertised as a superhero film it was presented as an action horror movie, nonetheless major props and much love to Wesley Snipes for bringing the day walker to life in three films. Hopefully we can see the action star back in the role soon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe). In X-men we were treated to Academy Award winner, Halle Berry in the role of the weather controlling mutant, Storm. But Berry’s Storm was just seemingly THERE. She did not have much dialogue nor was a focal point of the film. Spider-Man never gave us an African American hero (only until recently with Spider-man: Into the Spider Verse and Miles Morales)

It was not until 2014 when it was announced that the King of Wakanda would not only be getting his own film but would make his big screen debut in the aforementioned Captain America: Civil War.  People who never thought they would see a black man who is not only a superhero but the ruler of his own nation in his own full feature length major blockbuster film. The cast was revealed and it was a who’s who of black Hollywood and garnered the interest of African Americans far and wide including those who were not comic book fans. Younger and older generations were excited to hear this was actually going to happen.

Civil War hit theaters and not only was people in awe of the film itself but to see the Black Panther in action and done WELL was a delight and a treat. Fast forward to the post credit scene that showed us a glimpse inside of Wakanda and it began to feel real.

The first trailer was received during game four of the NBA Finals in June of 2017 and it quickly shot to the number one trending topic not just of social media but the world. Of course this wasn’t met without some pushback. Hateful tweets, post and instant outcries of racism, yet the drive pushed forward to witness. When there are older generations of African American men and women who never planned on going to see a superhero film KNEW they had to see this for its cultural and historic significance.

February 16, 2018, Black Panther arrives in theaters after an overwhelming amount of positive reviews and praise. The film not only draws in an immensely large African-American demographic but other races and cultures and as not just one-time movie goers but multiple viewings sometime in the same day or week.  This cross cultural reach carried over to various comic book conventions.

There has been a sea of little non-black boys and girls not just wanting to be the king of Wakanda but also the powerful Dora Milaje. To see these children embrace these characters as well as watching their parents who not only love the film itself for what it is but love of a mixture of cultures those of which they now themselves were interested in. A cultural phenomenon for a superhero film was never originally expected and yet now it is his and still traversing the global landscape.

 

Box Office

Of course the box office is not normally factored into consideration when it comes to Oscar nominations. Many films to receive the honor have not been fully viewed by the mainstream public prior whether it may have been due to limited release or just were not strong draws at the box office. 2016 Academy Award winner Moonlight only generated twenty-seven million at the box office whereas The Hurt Locker only garnered $17 million at the box office. However when it comes to the spectacle that is Black Panther the film over $700 million domestically granted it was in way more theaters but one must take into consideration the buzz in which the film came in with. The movies final box office gross was over $1billion dollars and remained in the top 10 of box office total for over 13 weeks in a row.

Of course there was pushback, primarily from those who simply HATED what the film stood for, what it meant for past generations and those going forward.  But the power packed ensemble not once slowed down. It even did something many people did not expect it to do and that’s still climb up the total box office gross charts even after the event that was Avengers: Infinity War arrived in theaters. There were still multiple repeat viewers who wanted to experience the movie again and again. Something about this has reached to people not just in their hearts but in their wallets as well.

 

An Incomparable Director

Granted there is already a category for this honor but the superhero’s director, Ryan Coogler was snubbed from the nomination list for his creative eye in bringing this character to life in his first major blockbuster. But Coogler is indeed undeniable when it comes to helming successful films. From Fruitvale Station on to Creed and now Black Panther, Ryan Coogler is a force to be reckoned with in the film industry.

Black Panther Director, Ryan Coogler with Chadwick Boseman

There are various runs of the king of Wakanda from the Christopher Priest, Reginald Hudlin on to Ta’Nahesi Coates and for Coogler to have creative wherewithal to know which parts from which respective runs that when best placed together will create a compelling story that would do the legendary character justice.  This by no means is meant to take away from anyone else involved in the creative process but more of a focus on Cooglers’ eye through which the final project is seen.

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Director Ryan Coogler with Chadwick Boseman

To have the mind’s eye and the vision to bring the fictional nation of Wakanda to life is worth celebrating itself. From showing the advanced technological marvel that the nation is known for in the comics, while blending in the natural beauty and culture of Africa. Including younger and older generations from modern American looks to ritualistic African garb, the vision to see of that is in worth the recognition.

Cinematography

The vision of the director and producer are one thing when it comes to the film making process but it is not complete without the creative eye of an incredible cinematographer. That honor goes to Rachel Morrison. Nominated for Best cinematographer at the Academy Awards for her work on the Dee Rees’ film Mudbound, Rachel was able to help bring to life the vision that Ryan Coogler had through the lens of the camera. Epic camera shots such as the first warrior trials fight scene involving T’Challa vs. M’baku. The angles, the look the motion made the viewer fully engaged as if they were part of the tribes of Wakanda watching them up close. There is also, the showing the world of Wakanda being turned upside down after Killmonger takes the throne from T’Challa. Add to that the EPIC fight scene in the casino in Bussan and the car chase that followed words cannot express this combines to the reasoning of why Black Panther is worthy of the recognition and nomination it has received.

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Academy Award nominated Cinematographer Rachel Morrison with Director Ryan Coogler

Costume Design

When it comes to the costume design of the Black Panther character itself, there is no question the suit that Chadwick Boseman wears is done perfectly active course and tweaks that were needed.  But the real honor and praise should go to the now academy award nominee the costume designer, Ruth E. Carter.  Ruth had the on daunting task of bringing a fictional African country to life.  She had to give it its own culture and its own older flair and its own look.  For example the Dora Milaje, these are the elite warriors of well-timed their costumes are special blend. “The different garments texture as well, the same striations and sacred geometry (as the Black Panther suit”. Ms. Carter said when speaking with the New York Times.  Many of the garments were fashioned in the same tradition that you may have seen throughout Africa the Turkana, the Massai, the Turareg amongst others.

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Black Panther costume designer and Academy Award Nominee, Ruth E. Carter

The looks in which you saw amongst the different tribes in Wakanda, the Border tribe, the river tribe, the mining tribe, the merchant tribe and the Jabari all had unique, beautiful distinct looks.  The colors belonging to each respective tribe and the tribal patterns create an experience within itself.

In the first trailer one of the most prominent scenes was that of showing the entirety of the residents of Wakanda standing in the area of the waterfall for ritual and ceremony to crown T’Challa the King of Wakanda. Add to that subsequent scene in the film where you see each tribe broken down by group and to witness the colors, patterns and designs of each respective group is a testament to the creativity and artistry of Ruth E. Carter.

The Cast

We can talk all day about the box office numbers, incredible directing, flawless cinematography and extraordinary costume designing. But none of that comes to life without the incomparable cast that tells the tale in this film. Chadwick Boseman in the titular role actually takes somewhat of a backseat in this film and allows shine to come from its other cast members. Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger brings an ethically visceral performance. Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, a spy whose love for both her king and country drive her passion and that passion is felt throughout every scene she is in.

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Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia 

Danai Gurira whose commanding presence as the General of the Dora Milaje, Okoye just exudes, power, dominance and complete power and doesn’t back down. She will defend her king (whomever sits upon the throne) and her country even if it means over her love, W’kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) a character who was created for the film and serves as T’challa’s right hand man. The queen mother, Ramonda played by the flawless Angela Bassett. Angela is a woman with a presence in any role is that one of regality, elegance and cannot be ignored. To give the performance as T’challa’s mother gives the warmth and compassion in a story that involves internal as well as external drama. Andy Serkis reprising his role as Ulysses Klaue from Avengers: Age of Ultron is seemingly having an entirely brand new level of fun this go round. Martin Freeman as Agent Ross, playing the government official who thought he knew one thing about Wakanda when find out that it is almost a world onto itself. Winston Duke and M’baku powerful and menacing leader of the mountain dwelling, Jabari tribe, he brings ruthless regality and humor in a role many did not know what to expect at first. But the very first time we see him on screen we are captivated and want more of the character. And last but certainly not least, Letitia Wright as the genius princess, Shuri. Shuri is the typical teenager taking jabs at her older brother and having to be corralled by her mother and at the same time she is responsible for the advancements in technology throughout Wakanda. Letitia brings the feeling of a current day teenager to the stage which is undeniably incredible. The cast of Black Panther are as much worth seeing as the film is itself.

Final Thoughts

The numerous reasons above and even others are a clear and definitive outline as to why Black Panther is absolutely worthy of its best picture nomination. The movie is a complete package and knows how to engage and entrance viewers young and old, men and women, across the spectrum of cultures and races. It is a rarity to have a film that is an experience for beginning to end even with its few flaws but will still keep you encompassed in the story.  Very few movies released in the 1st quarter of the year will remain on the mouths of viewers, fans and those who arrived lately to the party towards the end of the year with heavy amounts of praise but Black Panther has become just that. Maybe all of the hype and praise is just that and it may not amount to the grand prize of the golden statute. However one thing will remain no what and that is it will forever be etched in history as not only a box office juggernaut, not just the major blockbuster superhero film with a predominately all black cast to stay in the top ten of the box office thirteen weeks in a row but still an ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE for BEST PICTURE.

 

WAKANDA FOREVER!!!!!

 

BLACK PANTHER Nominated For Best Picture At The Oscars

 

This is something that many people had been hoping was a possibility since back in February but now it is officially a reality, Black Panther is now a Best Picture Oscar nominated film.

The nominations for the  Academy Awards were announced this morning and the Ryan Coogler directed film was announced making it the first ever superhero film to nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Speaking of director Ryan Coogler, he unfortunately was not nominated for Best Director in a field that included Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), Adam McKay (Vice), Alfonso Cuaron (Roma), Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), and Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War).

The film was also nominated in several other categories; Production Design, Costume Design, Original Score and “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar ft SZA.

The Oscars will air live on February 24, 2019 at 5pm PST/8pm PST.

Stan Lee Passes Away at 95

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The man responsible for many of our childhood fantasies and wanting to be heroes has passed away.

Stan Lee the man responsible for bringing us The X-Men, Black Panther, Spider-Man ,the Fantastic Four and man more has passed away at the age of 95 at Cedars-sinai hospital in Los Angeles on Monday.

Lee had battled several illnesses over the last year or so including pneumonia and vision issues.

Stan is credited along with his former creative partner Jack Kirby with helping to give birth to the modern comic book scene.

Lee scripted, art-directed and edited most of Marvel’s series throughout the 1960s, and often featured topical storylines that addressed current issues such as elections, and the Vietnam War.

He stopped writing comics in 1972 to assume the role of publisher releasing his final issues of The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four.

Having created nearly all of Marvel’s most famous superheroes, Stan has long been included in the movie adaptations of his comics, and has been given bit parts in both Fox’s films and those of the Disney Marvel Cinematic Universe. ALL of the roles were memorable whether they are a speaking role or picture reference.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe whashich was birthed from nany of Lee’s creations have been a blockbuster triumph since Iron Man in 2008, and has seen a plethora of A-list stars bring Marvel’s heroes to life including Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chadwick Boseman, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans.

Ryan Coogler Returning to Helm ‘Black Panther’ Sequel

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This is something that many fans and just lovers of the first Black Panther film were sure had to happen but were somewhat nervous given no immediate announcement had been made. Now we can all breathe that sigh of relief because it is official that Ryan Coogler will return to the directors chair to direct the sequel to the blockbuster film.

Most of the cast of the highly successful film had already been signed on to a multiple film deal. It is very common with Marvel films and we did see many of the members of the first film in Avengers: Infinity War. The cast which included Chadwick Boseman  Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Latitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Forest Whitaker and Sterling K. Brown. Only Boseman, Gurira, Duke, Bassett and Wright were seen in the Avengers film.

The film, which opened February 16, set box office records by earning $242.1M over President’s Day weekend, including a Friday–Sunday gross of $202M, followed by one of the biggest second weekends in history with $111.7M (ranking as the third-biggest second frame ever behind only Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Infinity War).

Black Panther opened back on February 16 of this year and set box office records by earning $242.1M over President’s Day weekend, including a Friday–Sunday gross of $202M, followed by one of the biggest second weekends in history with $111.7M (ranking as the third-biggest second frame ever behind only Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Infinity War). The movie also successfully stayed in the top 10 of box office weeks for an unprecedented 13 weeks straight. The Coogler led film continued to make money in the box office even once Infinity War was released in theaters.

Ryan Coogler Would Like Donald Glover in Black Panther 2

And to be quite honest this would bot be a bad idea by any means. As of now it is a hope by many of us who never quite thought about it at first but after director of the IMMENSELY successful, Black Panther, Ryan Coogler who is in the process of developing a sequel to the film information was released by the UK Metro, my hairs are standing on end as I type this.

Ryan Coogler is currently mapping out Black Panther’s sequel and has written in a number of new characters that movie-goers will be introduced to when it premieres. One of those characters, if he gets his wish, will be played by Childish Gambino. Nothing is set in stone but “informal talks” [are happening] between Ryan, Gambino and reps from Marvel and Disney to see if they can make it happen. They’re still yet to decide if Michael B Jordan will return in some capacity but if he doesn’t it’s likely Gambino may play some kind of villain.

Coogler did consult with Glover on the first movie, so this wouldn’t be too far-fetched – but there may be a slight issue – Glover is already in the MCU remember he portrayed Aaron Davis aka “The Prowler” in Spider-Man: Homecoming.  However it is not impossible for an actor to be more than one character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Alfre Woodard who portrays “Black Mariah” in the Netflix Luke Cage series also played the small role of Miriam, in Captain America: Civil War, the mother who lost her son to the destruction of Sokovia in Avengers: Age Of Ultron.  There is even Tony Curran who played Bor in Thor: The Dark World and Finn Cooley in Daredevil (Netflix). So it is possible. This is kind of contingent if they decide to expand Glover’s role within the Spider-Man universe.

The next is the possible return of Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger. Now (spoiler Alert) he dies in the first Black Panther film so many would wonder how could that happen. I have a theory…..are you ready for it? Even though Killmonger is dead, he was officially a Black Panther, the protector of Wakanda and he received an official burial so T’challa may potentially see him when he goes to the astral plane to speak with the ancestors and panthers past.

Now it is worth noting that NONE OF THIS is confirmed and may have to be taken with a grain of salt but at the same time can still make the hopes begin to rise. Let us know your thoughts. Would you like to see Donald Glover in Black Panther 2? I would like a Childish Gambino concert in Wakanda. How do you feel about a potential Michael B. Jordan return. Let us know your thoughts.

Legend Has It

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Imagine if you would, being an 8-year-old kid in 1988 who is pretty much confined to their home. Now not due to illness or lack of friends, but due to the fact that the violence in and around the neighborhood is SO bad that a child cannot even play in front of their home for fear of being shot. You go to school and head straight home even that is a challenge. Nintendo Entertainment System was released three years prior and the world had become hooked on Super Mario Bros, Tetris, Castlevania , Contra and many more game that would all test the human lung capacity. Of course you had one in your home.  On radios blared “Don’t Worry Be Happy”, “Girl You Know It’s True”, “Straight Outta Compton”, “Dirty Diana”, “My Prerogative” the list goes on and on. All of this seems as if it would be enough, not to mention what was on television and movies on VHS to keep a child with a buddy imagination completely engaged and entertained.

But this child is not the average child with the average imagination. This is a child who dreams in color. This child is infatuated with the art they see whether it be in cartoon form or that of comic books. The beauty and detail of superheroes, extraordinary men, women, even other worldly individuals that are saving the world with amazing powers and abilities. There’s Iron Man, Batman, Superman, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Wolverine, Spider-man along with others. This child is so enamored with them that they want to recreate them and they’ve been drawing them and coloring them. There is a sense of contentment with these characters but there’s a problem. None of the main characters look like them.

This young black child doesn’t see any leaders of the team that look like them. One day while visiting their local comic shop one particular title calls out to them, THE BLACK PANTHER! Who is this hero? Where did they come from? Why is it they are covered? This just has to be another guy that looks like every other superhero he sees but just happens to don the look of a POWERFUL creature from the jungle. Curiosity is overwhelming, anticipation rising, the child opens up to a random page, “hmm the jungle. Wait a minute, what is Wakanda? What country is this supposed to be, this is not a real place? Oh my god it is in Africa. I’ve heard about it in school. It is where my ancestors are from. They are kings and queens, but this looks futuristic-like but wait, why would they have another white guy…he’s black and he’s the KING?”

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Everything is different now, everyone else is secondary. THE BLACK PANTHER is not only a HERO, he’s a king and most importantly he looks like the captivated kid.  Now the search is on for more and more of the comics books about this hero. Yes, there are other heroes but this one is A KING and a SUPERHERO and is IN CHARGE. So many stories, so many adventures he crosses over with the favorites this is surreal. There has to be more people who look like the child to talk excitedly about this. The other kids don’t know but now they do and the excitement is spreading in the community it’s contagious. Now playing make-believe in the hood takes a new turn. “I’m the Black Panther”, “No, I’m the Black Panther” ,“I’m T’chaka and you’re my son.  I’m the first Black Panther”, “I’m the Black Panther”……”You can’t be the Black Panther, you’re a girl”….”yes, I can see right here his sister Shuri, is the Black Panther”. This is a HERO for EVERYONE in the black community.

Time passes and even as the children age into adolescence this character is still part of their lives. Having appearances in many of the Marvel cartoons and that they watch from the X-men TV series to the Fantastic Four and even Iron Man to name a few, he is still relevant and we want more. We want him at the forefront and then he gets his own animated series on BET in 2010. Now even as a grown adult this is unbelievable, we’re getting a Black Panther led cartoon set in Wakanda. The visuals are beautiful, his regality is there, the strength and poise but wait a minute… why is it coming on at 2 in the morning? What it is about this character, that does not allow it to be treated with the same respect as the other ones. These are thoughts that go around and around in the heads of many are still having that love from youth.

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During this time the Avengers arrive on the big screen. We are getting Jessica Jones and in it Luke Cage another black hero on Netflix, but it’s not the same. He was a hero and no diminishing him but he is not a KING he did not at one point LEAD the Avengers in the comics. The Falcon, another black hero is introduced we feel like ground is being broke and then it happens. In comes the announcement, WE ARE GETTING A SOLO BLACK PANTHER. IS THIS REAL LIFE? IS THIS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN? Yes, but first we are going to see him in Captain America: Civil War. The trailers for the movie for everyone else may focus on Spider-man’s arrival to the Marvel Cinematic Universe but to that kid inside the adult from that rough neighborhood we know what we want to see. We see it and it is GLORIOUS Chadwick Boseman embodies the character we cannot WAIT until its release.   Captain America’s third solo film hits theaters and it is another hit directed by the Russo Brothers. However, the scenes with T’Challa are AMAZING, the same poise, prowess, athleticism, strength we have come to grow up with in the pages of comic books It is happening then the post credit scene shows us just a piece of Wakanda and cue the adult tears.

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We are getting it, our representation, our moment, OUR HERO in his own film. Now come the casting and directorial announcements. “Oh for real Ava Duvernay, LETS DO THIS!! …wait she can’t then who…Ryan Coogler??? BRING IT ON!!” The cast publicly is revealed, and it’s a who’s who of Black Hollywood.  Angela Bassett, Forrest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, and Sterling K. Brown just to name a few it is BLACK EXCELLENCE at its peak.

June 9, 2017, a moment many will never forget. It is game four of the NBA finals and it’s a classic with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Golden State Warriors. But the excitement isn’t about that, it’s about what to come, the first teaser trailer for Marvel’s The Black Panther. OH MY GOD, its Wakanda, its Africa, it’s the motherland. The beauty, the colors, the cast, the action, Run the Jewels providing the backdrop music with their instrumental to “Legend Has It”, this isn’t any other superhero film not just Marvel or DC, THIS IS OUR FILM! Fast forward a month later to San Diego Comic Con Saturday, July 22, 2017, a full trailer is shown to those in attendance and even the cast themselves who haven’t seen it and the energy coupled with emotion flow from Hall H. The world wants to see it but it’s not yet released globally only a select few are privy to this.

October 17th that would change as the full trailer is dropped and social media goes ablaze. Excitement is in almost every Facebook post, Instagram video, Tweet, everywhere. The hash tags #BlackPanther and #BlackPantherSoLit trend worldwide and it is beautiful to see. Plans are being made to go to theaters across the country mimicking the dance/wedding scene from Coming to America. Something even more amazing is happening. The conversation being had amongst the elders of the black community who have never seen the superhero films are now ready to go in droves to see this film because its historic to them. Many never believed in their lifetime that they would see a Major Motion Picture blockbuster Black Superhero film. Yes, there was Blade (which is still a classic much love to Wesley Snipes) prior, but it wasn’t set in AFRICA fictional country or not, it wasn’t a reflection of the motherland, the culture, the history.

This is historical, many connect to this film. That 8 year old child, not able to play like he wanted to due to violence, drawn into reading this character while looking for one to identify with and grow up with him is now a grown man excited as a child at Christmas. He is not alone, grown men and women, boys and girls, young and old, different shades: light to dark from communities all around the country are just as excited.

February 16, 2018, will go down as another monumental day in Black History. It will be the day OUR AVENGER takes center stage surrounded by a cast of some of the best and brightest in Hollywood. Some may try to diminish it by saying “Why so much passion for a comic book character?” But to them I say, you have characters that fully represent YOU. You have that vast unlimited number of heroes that are billionaires and the first super powered “this” or “that’ you are given time in and time again. You have that representative of your heritage and your history. Now in this moment in time WE HAVE OURS! Wakanda Forever!

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We Have The Final OFFICIAL Trailer for Black Panther

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Today has been loaded with Black Panther news. Even though it really shouldn’t be a shock as we are less than 40 days away from its release in theaters. First tickets became available for presale, and now we have a look at the final trailer for the film.

The trailer aired during the Halftime celebration of the college football National Championship which featured Kendrick Lamar who coincidentally will be producing the soundtrack to the film.

In this final trailer we see, the initial conversation with Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) and Ulysess Klaue (Andy Serkis), we see most footage we’ve seen from the original trailer. But it really gives us more when see T’Challa having his ritualistic trials surrounded by the citizens of Wakanda. We get a better look at Forest Whitaker as Zuri. We get a somewhat more in depth look at Erik Killmonger’s crocodile scarring on his chest, the Dora Milaje and SO MUCH MORE! ! !

There is JUST SO MUCH to break down here. Go ahead and give the trailer a look for yourself

Black Panther hits theaters on February 16th, presale tickets are available NOW.

A Dope New Look For Black Panther Billboard

It is full steam ahead on the marketing campaign of the first solo film for the King of Wakanda. A pretty dope billboard has appeared in Los Angeles and it even gives us a new look of the future Avenger. Now we here at The Trusty Sidekick are wondering, “CAN IT BE FEBRUARY, ALREADY ! ! ! !”