Last year the leader of the Bey-hive and Grammy award winning artist, Beyonce voiced Nala in the live-action remake of THE LION KING, now it seems that she may be sticking around the Disney family. Thanks to a new report from Elle now claims that Beyonce has signed a $100 million deal with Disney and is to keep her in the midst for a foreseeable future.
Here is the best part this is going to reportedly lead to Beyonce being involved with Black Panther 2 in some capacity, likely providing a song for the film’s soundtrack as opposed to an on-screen role of any sort.
Beyonce is said to be “a major player” for the mouse, with hopes she will lend her voice to some upcoming documentaries on Disney+ as well. “The negotiations are still ongoing but it’s the final details that are being thrashed out now,” the site’s sources claim.
2018’s BLACK PANTHER was masterful having been curated by another Grammy award winning artist in Kendrick Lamar, so it only makes sense Disney would enlist an superstar talent like Beyonce to lend her musical skills to Ryan Coogler’s hotly anticipated sequel. The question now beckons should be an on screen talent as well who would she portray.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After months of anticipation and teasing arguably one of the most anticipated movie trailers is now available for the world to view and it does not disappoint.
I am talking about the trailer for Marvel’s Black Panther directed by Ryan Coogler. There is so much loaded in all of TWO minutes and eighteen seconds that will have your hairs standing on ends.
From the beauty and majesty of Wakanda, the old and new, it’s technology-including the unveiling of the nano technology that gives both King T’Challa (played by Chadwick Boseman) & Erik Kilmonger(played by Michael B. Jordan) and non-stop action. This film will have wishing February 16, 2018 was TOMORROW.
It’s no secret that the MCU’S most anticipated film leading into the giant team up Avengers:Infinity War is possibly the Ryan Coogler helmed Black Panther set to hit theaters in February.
The footage that was seen at this year’s San Diego Comic Con was both a treat and a tease. A treat being It was the first footage screened to both the fans and cast. It was a tease because all we could do was hear about it as the footage has not released worldwide and all we have are recalls and depictions. Well here’s more of a tease in post from ScreenRant.com that talks how many of the action sequences could parallel the amazing Kingsman films.
Via ScreenRant.com
The Congressional Black Caucus were recently shown exclusive footage from next year’s Black Panther, and it looks to be even more action-packed than previously imagined. While Marvel fans and general audiences all have the film they’re most looking forward to in the next few years, a large portion of the Internet has been goings nuts for Black Panther.
With its predominately black cast, setting in Africa, and mix of real-world culture and sci-fi tech, Black Panther looks like nothing we’ve seen before. Add in the prestige actors and exciting first trailer, and it’s no wonder most moviegoers are looking forward to February. In the coming months, marketing for the movie will start gearing up in earnest, meaning more images, plot details, and likely another trailer. Until then, however, the latest footage descriptions for the film offer fans plenty to pour over.
The Root was on hand during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference where a special presentation on Black Panther was included. Thanks to Florida Congresswoman Val Demmings hosting the event, she was able to use her Disney contacts to curate the panel “Imagining a Bigger World—Marvel’s Black Panther, Cultural Heritage and STEM,” which tied in footage from Black Panther with a push for bringing more black youth into the world of science and technology. For audiences, it was also a chance to see exclusive scenes from Black Panther and get a taste of the kinetic fight scenes.
All told, four scenes were shown. Three seem to be similar to the ones shown at Comic-Con, with T’Challa and the Dora Milaje heading to a casino before Klaue arrives with his goons. A fight breaks out, and T’Challa activates his nano-suit. From there, the action heads to the streets where a car chase leads to the scene that ends the trailer, with the Panther flipping over a car that’s just slammed into a spear in the road.
Next, the action cuts to T’Challa and Killmonger squaring off in the sacred waters (also seen in the trailer) before both call up their nano suits. Though we’ve previously heard Killmonger’s suit described as gold (and seen a version of it in a toy for the film), here it’s said to be red.
Following that battle, the Caucus were shown a new scene where M’Baku challenges T’Challa in the same spot. His size advantage is noticeable, and he also dons a white gorilla mask. While we know M’Baku won’t be called Man-Ape in the film, it looks as if his comic book costume will still be homaged.
As far as how all of those fight scenes look, it seems they’ll draw from Ryan Coogler’s past experience while mirroring the work of Matthew Vaughn in some ways.
“The action is kinetic, like a mixture of Coogler’s fight scenes from Creed and the manic bullet ballets from Kingsman movies.”
Considering how much praise Coogler received for the action sequences in Creed and how the fights in both Kingsman movies are some of the most consistently appreciated moments, the comparison bodes well for Black Panther. Marvel has always had a strong voice when it comes to fight scenes, and it looks as if Black Panther may be joining films like The Winter Soldier as some of the studio’s best yet
As if the cast that already has been announced wasnt loaded enough this here is definitely putting it over the top. Angela Bassett has joined the cast of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther. She will play Ramonda, the mother of T’Challa, aka Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) in the Marvel mythology.
The Oscar nominee joins Michael B. Jordan, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke and Florence Kasumba in the cast. The superhero made his debut in Disney’s Marvel Universe movies this summer in Captain America: Civil War.
In the comic series, Ramonda was the stepmother to T’Challa, whose actual mother died while giving birth to him. Ramonda was thought to have run away, but it was later discovered she had been kidnapped.
Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler, hits theaters February 16, 2018. Coogler and Joe Robert Cole are writing the script.
Bassett has been busy in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story anthology series (she was Emmy nominated for roles in 2014 and 2015). She also made her directorial debut with Lifetime’s Whitney Houston biopic Whitney last year.
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