Edited by Debbie Berman (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and Michael P. Shawver (“Creed”), the eighteenth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe nicely moves scene to scene while revealing information purposefully. The opening scene takes place in 1992. A cut back to present day and you think that’s that. However, the editing duo continuously returns to the opening scene throughout different parts of the film to reveal more and more pieces that affect the “Black Panther” story arc.

Director Ryan Coogler anchored the plot around strong performances from Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, and Danai Gurira. Each actor displayed a sense of humanism and a knack for superhuman fighting skills. Boseman and Jordan were the only two wearing Wakanda suits as ’T’Challa/Black Panther’ and ‘Erick Killmonger’, respectively. Nyong’o and Gurira portray spy/love interest ‘Nakia’ and Wakandan general ‘Okay’, respectively.

The script perfectly blended intrigue and humor over 134 minutes of screen time. Letitia Wright, playing Boseman’s on-screen younger sister,’Shuri,’ brings as many jokes as she does high-tech gear that Wakandan royalty can play with. Visually stunning, the kingdom spreads over landscapes of sunbathing grasslands and rigorous trails edging snow covered mountains.

Overall, the film packs as much punch as a Black Panther suit, which is a lot. Followers of the current Marvel timeline won’t see references to other films. Nevertheless, Marvel film geeks will more than likely enjoy it. Fans of the original comics will gleam seeing the African king roll through theaters as smoothly as his superhero counterparts.

Wakanda forever.

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With so many characters — present as well as upcoming — populating the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s easy to lose track of who will play the role of who/what in the myriad of planned feature films. The Hobbit and Sherlock actor was announced some time ago as having been added to roster of supporting characters in an unknown role. Today, the veil of that little mystery has been pulled aside. Martin Freeman will be appearing in Captain America: Civil War as Everett Ross! This is confirmed with the latest issue of Empire, where new photos of Freeman on set were taken.

Traditionally known in Marvel Comics as the US Government’s liaison, historical expert and — once — regent to the African nation of Wakanda (long story on that last one), Ross has been a staple character in many Black Panther titles. His appearance in Civil War can only hint at him serving a similar role in the upcoming Phase Three film about the King of Wakanda, who will be played by actor Chadwick Boseman and will also be making his debut appearance in the epic scale showdown between ‘Team Iron Man’ and ‘Team Cap’.

“Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.”

Boseman and Freeman joins Chris Evans’ ‘star-spangled man with the plan’, Captain America, and Robert Downey Jr. as ‘genius billionaire playboy philanthropist’ Tony Stark, as they go head-to-head in a divisive battle of the superheroes, with results that could very well leave the MCU in shambles.

Also starring; Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle and Sebastian Stan return as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Sam Wilson/Falcon, The Vision, Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Sharon Carter/Agent 13, Jim Rhodes/War Machine, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier respectively.

Daniel Brühl as Baron Helmut Zemo, Frank Grillo as Brock Rumlow/Crossbones, William Hurt as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man. The film will also debut Marvel’s new Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland.

Anthony and Joe Russo will once again direct, with a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

Captain America: Civil War will be released on May 6, 2016. Marvel’s Black Panther will be released July 6, 2018.

As always, stay plugged in to SE for more Comic Nook News as it develops.

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Last month, rumor circulated that the Fruitvale Station and Creed director was in talks with Marvel Studios to helm the upcoming superhero film. Today, we have the word from Marvel’s Kevin Feige that Coogler is, officially, on board for the ‘Phase Three’ entry into the franchise.

“We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family,“ said Feige. “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.”

Features a script by Joe Robert Cole (Amber Lake) and starring 42 and Get On Up actor Chadwick Boseman as the king of Wakanda himself, Black Panther is slated to hit theaters on February 16, 2018. Aside from actor Andy Serkis reprising his role as the villainous Ulysses Klaw, after his introduction in Avengers: Age of Ultron,  it is yet unknown who our cast for the film will consist of. Indeed, it is early days for what will be Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is already brimming with upcoming titles scheduled for the coming years.

Boseman will make his first appearance as T’Challa aka Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War — the ‘kick-off’ film to Phase Three of the MCU — which will be released May 6, 2016.

As always, stay plugged in to SE for more Comic Nook News as it develops.

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