The next Marvel Cinematic Universe movie is here! Black Panther is out in cinemas and fans are flocking to watch TโChalla in action. M-Net Movies will be attending the premiere and we canโt contain our excitement about anything and everything Wakandian.
TโChalla? Wakanda? Unless you know something about Black Panther and the MCU, these words may be unfamiliar to you. So here are a few facts about Black Panther that every fan (and newbie) should know before watching the eighteenth MCU instalment.
- Black Panther was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, in 1966. The character made his first appearance in Fantastic Four #52.
- Also known as TโChalla, Black Panther is the first black superhero in mainstream American comic books.
- He is the richest superhero in the Marvel and the DC Universe. Yes, that means heโs richer than Iron Man and Batman.
- Chadwick Boseman plays the title character in the movie. He made his MCU debut in Captain America: Civil War.
- Black Panther is a hereditary title that is passed on within the royal family of Wakanda, a fictional African nation.
- Wakanda is a rich source of the fictional metal, vibranium. It absorbs sound waves and vibration. Captain Americaโs shield is made out of vibranium.
- At the end of Captain America: Civil War, Bucky Barnes is granted asylum in Wakanda. Does that mean weโll see him, and possibly Captain America, in Black Panther?
- TโChallaโs personal guard is known as the Dora Milaje. Nakia and Okoye are key members. In the movie, they are played by Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira.
- There are several American and English actors in the movie, but it also features German Ugandan actress Florence Kasumba and South African actors John Kani, Atandwa Kani, and Connie Chiume. Nyong'o was raised in Kenya, while Gurira was raised in Zimbabwe.
- Thanks to John Kani, the language the Wakandans speak is Xhosa.
- English actor Andy Serkis plays a South African.
- Black Panther is directed by Ryan Coogler, the man behind Fruitvale Station and Creed.
Black Panther is out in cinemas today, Friday 16 February.
Follow all the action on social media using the hashtag #BlackPantherSA.