(L to R) LeBron James and Tweety in ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
When LeBron (LeBron James) and his young son Dom (Cedric Joe) are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I. (Don Cheadle), LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even ‘King’ James by playing the game their own way.
Stephen Curry in the documentary ‘Stephen Curry: Underrated’. Photo: A24 and Apple TV+.
The remarkable coming-of-age story of Stephen Curry, one of the most influential, dynamic, and unexpected players in basketball history—and his rise from an undersized college player to a four-time NBA champion.
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Jordan) has thrived in his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian — a fighter with nothing to lose.
Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
Chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) was 21 years old when he was assassinated by the FBI, who coerced a petty criminal named William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) to help them silence him and the Black Panther Party. But they could not kill Fred Hampton’s legacy and, 50 years later, his words still echo’¦ louder than ever.
(L to R) Michael B. Jordan and Kevin Durand in ‘Fruitvale Station.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company.
Oakland, California. Young Afro-American Oscar Grant (Jordan) crosses paths with family members, friends, enemies and strangers before facing his fate on the platform at Fruitvale Station, in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2009.
(L to R) Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone in ‘Creed’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson (Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).
(L to R) Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman in ‘Black Panther’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T’Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), the queen-mother (Angela Bassett), his princess-kid sister (Letitia Wright), members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan ‘special forces’) and an American secret agent (Martin Freeman), to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
(Left) Director Ryan Cooler at the New York Premiere of ‘Sinners’. Photo: Warner Bros. (Center) David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in ‘The X-Files’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television. (Right) Danielle Deadwyler in ‘Parallel.’ Photo: Vertical Entertainment.
Preview:
Danielle Deadwyler will star in the new ‘X-Files’ series.
Ryan Coogler is writing the pilot and will direct it.
Jennifer Yale will be showrunner.
We’ve known for a while that ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Sinners’ director Ryan Coogler has been developing a rebooted take on cult supernatural show ‘The X-Files’ for Hulu. The show has now taken a step forward with a pilot order.
(L to R) David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in 1998’s ‘The X-Files’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
‘The X-Files’, originally created by Chris Carter, aired on Fox from 1993-2001 before being revived at the network for two more seasons in 2016 and 2018. It starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who investigate cases that lean towards the paranormal and otherwise unusual.
Two movies were made based on the original show, but there’s no word yet on whether either Duchovny or Anderson will appear in any capacity. As for the new potential series’ logline? “Two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena.”
We don’t yet know exactly how Deadwyler’s character will fit in, but we can assume she’s one of the agents.
“Like my relationship with ‘Rocky’ with my dad, ‘The X-Files’ is one of those things with my mom. My mom means the world to me…so this is a big one for me. I want to do right by her and the fans. My mom has read some of the stuff I wrote for it. She’s fired up.”
Coogler is aboard to write and direct the pilot, but should the show go to series, ‘The Copenhagen Test’s Jennifer Yale will be overseeing it.
Where else can we see Danielle Deadwyler?
Danielle Deadwyler in ’40 Acres’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Upcoming on the small screen, she’ll appear in the new season of ‘Euphoria’ and Steve Carell series ‘Rooster’. Movie-wise, she’s attached to drama ‘The Street’ and has worked on crime comedy ‘The Chaperones’.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ director Ryan Coogler.
(Left) Ryan Coogler arrive at the 14th Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (Right) Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
Ryan Coogler has confirmed he’ll direct ‘Black Panther 3’ as his next movie.
The story is being kept secret.
Denzel Washington reportedly has a role.
Having taken a break from his stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to make something original via ‘Sinners,’ writer/director Ryan Coogler has confirmed he’s ready to return to the world of Wakanda.
Coogler, who has so far brought us the hugely successful first movie 2018, 2022 follow-up ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ plus TV spin-offs ‘Ironheart’ and ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ has said for a while he’d return to the MCU once he’d been able to creatively recharge, and ‘Sinners’ provided that opportunity.
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Now on the awards press circuit for his latest, Coogler told the audience at a recent Deadline event that he’s officially developing his new ‘Panther’ offering:
“If it was anybody but you, I would say, ‘I can neither confirm or deny.’ But we’re working on it hard. … Yeah, it’s the next movie.”
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ director Ryan Coogler.
Coogler didn’t so much as hint at anything that the new movie might cover. But there are hints all over ‘Wakanda Forever,’ including Letitia Wright’s Shuri taking over the Black Panther duties following the death of T’Challa (a plot move that also followed the tragic real-life death of actor Chadwick Boseman).
We may see a time jump to see T’Challa’s son take on the mantle, but whatever Coogler has up his sleeve, we trust him to deliver something spectacular and emotional.
Will Denzel Washington be in ‘Black Panther 3’?
Denzel Washington attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
According to the actor, who commented a while ago that Coogler was writing him a role in the movie, that’s a yes!
This was his comment last year:
“At this point in my career, I’m only interested in working with the best, I don’t know how many more films I will make, probably not that many. I want to do things that I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22, I’m now going to play it at 70. After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ ”
Will it turn out to be true? We’ll have to wait and see, but the idea of Washington showing up as a new antagonist (or, indeed anything he wants to do) is certainly one to ponder.
When will ‘Black Panther 3’ be in theaters?
With Coogler still in development on the movie and Disney/Marvel’s release schedule full for the next couple of years, we wouldn’t expect it much before early 2028. And let’s be honest: don’t you want Coogler to have all the time he needs to make the next movie great?
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
List of ‘Black Panther’ Related Movies and TV Shows:
With ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘, which welcomes “Marvel’s First Family” to the MCU, opening in theaters on July 25th, Moviefone has ranked every Marvel Cinematic Universe movie ever made, including the latest!
Note: We are only including MCU movies, not the MCU Disney+ series and mini-series.
(L to R) Don Lee, Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, and Lia McHugh in Marvel Studios’ ‘Eternals.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.
Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
Against his father Odin’s (Anthony Hopkins) will, The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – a powerful but arrogant warrior god – recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.
Edward Norton in ‘The Incredible Hulk.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.
After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with with Hope’s parents Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) , and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible and pits them against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).
After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon (Benedict Cumberbatch) gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.
When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron (James Spader) emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), aka Captain Marvel, has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe.
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Doctor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Following the events of ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Peter Parker (Tom Holland), with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges.
When Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
During World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a sickly man from Brooklyn who’s transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) – Adolf Hitler’s ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.
Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.
The story follows Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster.
After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Sam (Anthony Mackie) finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
Just when his time under house arrest is about to end, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) once again puts his freedom at risk to help Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) dive into the quantum realm and try to accomplish, against time and any chance of success, a very dangerous rescue mission.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest – Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.
Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization and his father, Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung).
On a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), the Guardians head to Earth in search of the perfect present. The special follows Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) as they set out to give Quill the best Christmas ever, after discovering that Yondu (Michael Rooker) ruined the holiday for him as a child.
(L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!
Following the events of ‘Age of Ultron’, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) or Captain America (Chris Evans), which causes an epic battle between former allies.
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T’Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan ‘special forces’) and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
After the cataclysmic events in New York with ‘The Avengers’, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon (Anthony Mackie). However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his home-world and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of a powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett).
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos (Josh Brolin). A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. Teaming with other Multiverse Spider-Men (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield), they must now work together to take out the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Foxx) and other Spider-Man villains from around the multiverse.
Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.
If ‘Ironheart’ was a decently entertaining spin-off featuring the character of Riri Williams, a comic character who got her MCU big screen introduction in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ but got lost in the shuffle of that busy sequel, ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ goes further and broader in a way only animation can achieve.
This series presents as an anthology show set across different time periods, but is ultimately linked by the presence of the Hatut Zaraze –– the “War Dog” operatives who undertake special covert missions outside of Wakanda’s borders (you might recall Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia as one such agent in the original ‘Black Panther’.
The links go deeper than that, but we won’t spoil anything here.
Under the guidance of Harris (with Coogler on hand to offer input) and lead writer Geoffrey Thorne, the series is an entertaining, ambitious look at the War Dogs through different chunks of history, from ancient China to the battle of Troy.
While the stakes are high, the scripts are leavened with wit and lighter touches, and even offer an intriguing new avenue to one character whose legacy is not exactly beloved by Marvel fans. We won’t specify who exactly, but suffice to say they made their screen debut back in the Netflix days, and are presented in very different form here.
‘Eyes of Wakanda’s stories hang together well, and the battles features are exciting. The style of the show certainly fits with ‘Black Panther’s existing design framework and expands the look to include historical touches and inventive tech.
Highlights from the voice cast including Winnie Harlow as Noni, a rebellious former Dora Milaje whose mission is effectively her job interview for the War Dogs, and Cress Williams, who plays a few characters, with the focus on The Lion, a former Wakandan warrior who has turned to the life of a pirate.
Elsewhere, there is good work from the likes of Steve Toussaint and Jona Xiao –– but again, we can’t talk about her character.
Though the major link between the stories aren’t immediately apparent, there is enough connective tissue and watchability within the separate episodes to make them all worth watching.
You don’t really have to have seen anything beyond ‘Black Panther’ to enjoy it, and it’s a healthy dose of diversity within the MCU.
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What’s the plot of ‘Eyes of Wakanda’?
Follow the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history in this globe-trotting adventure where they must carry out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda.
They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story.
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
Preview:
Kevin Feige has given a wide-ranging interview about the state of Marvel.
He touched on the delays with ‘Blade’.
He also admitted that recent disappointments necessitated a change in thinking.
With the studio’s latest giant release –– and one of its biggest gambles in years on the way via ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’, Marvel boss Kevin Feige took the opportunity to address some of the topics that have been floating around, including recent underperforming movies and TV series under the Marvel Cinematic Universe, his own future (spoiler alert: he aims to stick around!) and more.
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Among the other subjects? The long-gestating and troubled development of a new ‘Blade’ movie, and his team’s new seven-year plan for new movies and shows and whether we’ll see actors from end credits cameos in the future.
(Left) Mahershala Ali attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. (Right) Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade.’
Blade, the Daywalking half-human-half-vampire character most famously played by Wesley Snipes, was announced for a reboot back at 2019’s San Diego Comic-Con. Since then, it has been a drawn-out log of multiple script drafts, directors coming and going, different time periods considered and, all through it, Oscar winner Mahershala Ali staying attached to the lead role.
Here’s what Feige had to say about it:
“You can start and have a good script and make it a great script through production, but we didn’t feel confident we could do that on ‘Blade’. We didn’t want to do that to Mahershala and didn’t want to do that to us. we landed on modern day and that’s what we’re focusing on. We didn’t want to put a leather outfit on Mahershala and have him start killing vampires.”
Feige also joked that Ryan Coogler –– who is developing a third ‘Black Panther’ outing for the company –– added to the delay by utilizing some of the costumes the company had created for a Prohibition-era take on the story in his own recent hit, ‘Sinners’.
The executive also touched on complaints that the sheer output and deepened connectivity between the Disney+ MCU series and the big screen outings were feeling like homework and turning off viewers who hadn’t seen them, which in turn hurt the box office revenues of ‘The Marvels’ and ‘Thunderbolts*’:
“Some of them were still feeling the residual effects of that notion of, ‘I guess I had to have seen these other shows to understand who this is,’ I think if you actually saw the movie, that wouldn’t be the case, and we make the movie so that’s not the case. But I think we still have to make sure the audience understands that.”
According to Feige, the company has a seven-year plan to take it up to 2032, admitting that while he most much of it will stay on track, projects are on magnets on a board in a conference room so they can move around as necessary.
His answer wasn’t entirely convincing, but he took a stab at explaining the change:
“We had started even before what had happened to the actor happened, we had started to realize that Kang wasn’t big enough, wasn’t Thanos, and that there was only one character that could be that, because he was that in the comics for decades and decades. Because of the Fox acquisition, we finally had it, and it was Dr. Doom. So we had started talking about Dr. Doom even before we officially pivoted from Kang. And in fact, I had started talking with Robert [Downey Jr.] about this audacious idea before ‘Ant-Man 3’ even came out. It was a long plan that we had, to take one of our greatest characters and utilize one of our greatest actors.”
What’s next for Marvel?
As mentioned, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ lands in theaters on Friday.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
Marvel Comics has revealed a new Black Panther named Ketema, who is T’Challa’s son and caucasian.
The story should not be adapted for the big screen for several reasons.
Ryan Gosling has been fan-cast, but he can (and should) play someone else in the MCU.
When Chadwick Boseman passed away, he left a hole in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that, let’s be honest, likely no one will be able to fill. He perfectly embodied T’Challa in ‘Black Panther‘. He knew how to light up a room with his smile and laugh.
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There has been a lot of debate about whether the role should ever be recast or if there should be a new Black Panther altogether. For now, Shuri (Letitia Wright) has taken up the mantle, as fans saw in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘. She fit seamlessly into the story, and it makes all the sense in the world for her to continue representing Wakanda.
While many have been calling for a new Black Panther to step into the MCU, the recent Marvel Comics’ storyline is not the way to do it. Here’s why.
New Black Panther In Marvel Comics Explained
T’Challa’s son, Ketema. Photo: Marvel Comics.
In ‘Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1’ fans were introduced to a new Black Panther. Ketema is the son of T’Challa and Monica Lynne, or so it appears with panels flashing back to images of a pregnant Monica.
In the comic, T’Challa and Ketema engage in a tribal challenge, during which Ketema gets the upper hand on his father. When he takes off his mask, it is revealed that he is caucasian with blond hair. Both T’Challa and Monica are Black, leading readers to believe this cannot be the same child that Monica was pregnant with while married to T’Challa.
Is Ketema T’Challa’s biological son? Is he a son from a previous relationship with Nicole Adams, a caucasian woman T’Challa was involved with? There are a lot of questions, but not a lot of answers, as the limited series comic book run is just getting started. Over the next few month those answers will come, but in the meantime, this story does not come across as one that should be adapted for the big screen.
Why This Story Would Not Translate Well To The MCU
The first reason Marvel should choose not to adapt this storyline is probably the most obvious one. We already have a Black Panther in Shuri. Letitia Wright is confirmed to reprise her role as Shuri in ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ so it makes no sense for Marvel to replace her and bring in a new Black Panther. At least not yet. She has a lot more to give us.
We also already have another Black Panther lined up to take her place, when the time comes. In the post-credit scene for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ it is revealed that T’Challa had a son with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o). He is named Toussaint and he is being raised outside of Wakanda.
For Marvel to set a storyline up in a post-credit scene and then completely abandon it is not unheard of, but it would be particularly frustrating this time around. They cannot get away with never talking about him again, and if they do decide to retcon his part of the story, fans will likely be outraged. Rightfully so.
Realistically the studio can do whatever they want and claim that it works within the story because of how they have set themselves up. With the multiverse blown wide open, there is no reason they can’t have a new Black Panther step through a portal from another universe and try to take up the mantle.
That said, to do so would be extremely lazy writing. Even with the multiverse established, Marvel needs to stop relying on it to explain away situations. Viewers are getting sick of it, and for good reason. Surely this is how The Fantastic Four is going to enter the MCU. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is probably going to use that explination a lot, and honestly, that should be the last time Marvel leans on the multiverse for help.
Ryan Gosling Might Not Be The Next Black Panther, But He Should Join The MCU
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With the reveal of the new Black Panther to be white, fans immediately started choosing their dream cast. Ryan Gosling ended up at the top of the list, unsurprisingly. Years ago there was a meme of him as Black Panther, now fans are hoping it will become a reality.
Rumors of Ryan Gosling joining the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ cast had already been circulating, making this casting even more likely. While he is an incredibly talented actor, and should absolutely join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are plenty of other roles he could take on.
Prior to Marvel Comics releasing this issue, many thought he had been offered the role of Ghost Rider. Not only does this seem like a much better fit for him, it would ensure that he could stick around for a while longer. If Marvel decides to adapt this version of Black Panther, the odds of that character continuing on the mantle for long is highly unlikely.
Nicolas Cage in 2007’s ‘Ghost Rider’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
As we said above, T’Challa’s son and heir to the throne has already been teased. Shuri is currently protecting Wakanda and does not appear to be stepping down any time soon. If Ketema was to come to the big screen, it would likely be as an antagonist for a third Black Panther film. Ryan Gosling would be such a great get for the MCU that it would be unlikely for them to use him in this way.
While there are many Marvel characters he would be great at playing, Ghost Rider is the perfect choice. Not only has he expressed interest in portraying the character, Ryan Gosling would be instantly believable as someone who is vengeful but just and often finds himself displaying empathy, despite his terrifying exterior.
Director Ryan Coogler and his muse/partner Michael B. Jordan are now five for five. Following ‘Fruitvale Station,’ ‘Creed,’ and the two ‘Black Panther’ entries (yes, we’ll stand up for ‘Wakanda Forever’ despite anti-MCU sentiment in the critical community), ‘Sinners’ is another outright winner for the filmmaker and star, and even better, it’s a wholly original piece of material that’s also ambitious, audacious, and at times even transcendent – not to mention a wildly smart genre hybrid.
Once again, Coogler and company have taken populist entertainment – this time mixing the horror genre with the historical drama – and infused it with social commentary, spiritual themes, action beats, and an almost poetic tribute to the time-bending power of music. The film has its flaws, but so much of it works so well, from the cast to the music to the incredible production design to the overall atmosphere – that you’ll walk out of ‘Sinners’ feeling like you’ve seen one of the most unique movies of the year.
As ‘Sinners’ begins, an opening narration tells us that some people have such a powerful gift of making music that it can “pierce the veil” between the worlds of the living and the dead. With that, we see a bloodied and beaten young man, who we will come to know as Preacher Boy Sam (Miles Caton), appear at the door of the church where his father is pastor. He’s carrying the broken neck of a guitar, and his father admonishes him to “leave those sinning ways.”
The movie then flashes back to “one day earlier” in the town of Clarksdale, Mississippi. The year is 1932. Returning on this day to the area’s Black community are brothers “Smoke” and “Stack” Moore – the “SmokeStack Twins” – both played by Michael B. Jordan. With their expensive suits and car, as well as the wads of cash in their pockets, they immediately stand out from the impoverished community of laborers and sharecroppers around them. Smoke, who’s tougher and more business-minded, and Stack, who is more jovial and reckless, are back in town after spending years away, first fighting in World War I and then finding their way to Chicago, where they allegedly made their fortune working for Al Capone.
Their first action upon returning to Clarksdale is to purchase an abandoned mill outside town from a man who may or may not be a KKK leader (“The Klan doesn’t exist anymore,” he unconvincingly tells them). They aim to turn the mill into a juke joint and open it that night, with entertainment to be provided by old blues musician Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo) and the twins’ cousin, Preacher Boy Sam, for whom the word “soulful” doesn’t begin to describe his ability to sing and play the blues.
‘Sinners’ unpacks its story and characters – which include Smoke’s former flame, Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), who knows magic and who shares a tragic past with Smoke, as well as Stack’s old girlfriend, Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), who is part Black but looks white enough that their relationship might well have caused a scandal – in leisurely, novelistic fashion. But it’s never anything but fascinating to watch, thanks to the sharply drawn characters and pungent dialogue in Coogler’s screenplay, his fluid direction, Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s stunning cinematography, and the textured, incredibly detailed production design by Hannah Beachler. Then there’s the music – a combination of Ludwig Göransson’s original score and old blues standards that is as haunting as it is evocative.
It’s that music – particularly the music performed by Preacher Boy Sam – that attracts not just a boisterous crowd to Smoke and Stack’s juke joint that night but fuels one of the most incredible sequences you’ll see in a movie this or any other year. Music, we’re told, will bring together the spirits of both the past and the future – which it does in a breathtaking sequence that ricochets through both the history of music and the Black experience in one gloriously kaleidoscopic dance of images that is almost transcendent in its power.
But the music attracts other forces from the realm of the dead as well…and since the trailers already give it away, it’s okay to say here that the juke joint soon finds itself under siege by a trio of vampires, led by Remmick (Jack O’Connell), who quickly go about turning the customers and the Moores’ dwindling band of friends and family into creatures of the night. “It’s better this way,” says one character who has been transformed late in the film, suggesting that Remmick is creating a new species for which boundaries of race, color, and gender have no meaning.
That’s just one of the intriguing ideas that Coogler springs on us during the course of ‘Sinners,’ and if anything this densely packed film has almost too many of them. Questions of race, identity, history, violence against Black bodies, and the power of art flow liberally through the film, which is by turns exhilarating, frightening, erotic, distressing, and poignant. The introduction of a supernatural terror halfway through a historical drama is a bit abrupt, and the third act feels both rushed and drawn out as the climactic confrontation with the vampires leads to a fistful of additional endings and mid-credits sequences (a bit of an MCU hangover for Coogler, perhaps). But even when it wobbles slightly down the stretch, ‘Sinners’ doesn’t feel like any other movie you’re likely to see anytime soon.
In a career already full of sparking performances, ‘Sinners’ may contain Michael B. Jordan’s best work yet. Assisted by seamless visual effects, he delivers two fully-rounded performances as Smoke and Stack, differentiating the two brothers with subtle changes in tone, speech, and body language, while firmly delineating the deep bond between the two.
Smoke has been hardened by the world, doesn’t believe much in magic or the spiritual, and has no time for fun; he thinks that accumulating power (mostly in the form of cash) will give him freedom. Stack is much more hedonistic, given to flamboyance in his clothing, spending, and behavior, and much more in tune with earthly pleasures. Both men’s beliefs are tested and both are deeply changed by the end of the film, and it’s a tribute to Jordan’s incredible skills that you always feel you are watching two separate personalities on their own journeys.
While ‘Sinners’ showcases Jordan’s accomplishment, the rest of the cast is just as powerful. 19-year-old Miles Caton is a real find, providing not just a complex performance as Sam but a singing voice that is nothing short of awesome, providing a credible basis for the film’s mystical view of music. Delroy Lindo is nothing short of great (as usual) as Delta Slim, the blues player at the other end of his career who has seen it all. And while the vampires are not given as much ground to develop as characters, Jack O’Connell’s Remmick is a deft combination of malice, charisma, and temptation, with the story showing how these monsters can still be stirred by music as well (especially in one eerie sequence involving an Irish folk song).
Importantly, every woman in ‘Sinners’ also gets her due, from Wunmi Mosaku’s no-nonsense Annie to Hailee Steinfeld’s Mary, both of whom are courageous, confident, sexually liberated, and capable of moving on from deep tragedies in their lives. Mosaku’s performance is full of texture, compassion, and depth, while Steinfeld succeeds in nailing the role of a woman who is trapped between two worlds but knows which one she feels more at home with. Also notable is Li Jun Li (‘Babylon’) as Grace Chow, who runs grocery stores in town with her husband Bo (Yao) and is as deft in handling her business with both Blacks and whites as she is in fighting vampires.
‘Sinners’ is a luscious, genuinely cinematic experience that deserves every inch of the IMAX screen you should see it on. Even if we wish the horror elements were introduced a little more organically, and even if the film’s closing sequences don’t work as effectively as they could, one can still feel Coogler’s earnest, heartfelt search for truth throughout: What makes anyone truly free? Love? Power? Money? Talent? What does it mean to be free if you know that freedom is merely a façade?
These are the questions ‘Sinners’ raises and leaves one pondering as the credits roll. This thoughtfully conceived, masterfully executed epic doesn’t provide all the answers, but instead brings the viewer on a journey that is haunting, terrifying, emotionally resonant, and powerful in its exploration of community, shared experience, and how the incursion of evil can threaten to rip those apart.
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What is the plot of ‘Sinners’?
Two brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1932, now wealthy and intent on opening a juke joint in their hometown. But as they open the doors of their new establishment, sinister forces begin to converge upon them and their community.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
An unconfirmed report suggests that Marvel Studios may recast the role of T’Challa, aka Black Panther, for upcoming MCU movies.
The news comes more than four years after the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who originally played the role, with T’Challa’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) later taking over as Wakanda’s protector.
One theory suggest that the new T’Challa will be from a different part of the multiverse, and not even necessarily a hero.
A new, unconfirmed report suggests that Marvel Studios may be looking to recast the role of T’Challa, also known as the Black Panther, more than four years after the tragic 2020 death of original star Chadwick Boseman.
Reporter Jeff Sneider claimed in his newsletter TheInSneider that contacts at various talent agencies told him that the Disney-owned Marvel was searching for a new actor to play the role. What’s not clear is whether this would be a different iteration of the Wakandan leader from another universe, or another character entirely stepping into the Black Panther persona.
What happened to the original Black Panther?
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
T’Challa, Marvel’s first Black superhero and leader of the fictional African nation of Wakanda — who protects his nation and the world in the guise of the Black Panther – made his live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016’s ‘Captain America: Civil War.’
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Playing the role was actor Chadwick Boseman, who became an immediate fan favorite and was catapulted to super-stardom when his debut solo outing, 2018’s ‘Black Panther,’ grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. The film went on to become the first superhero movie nominated for best picture by the Academy Awards and became a worldwide cultural phenomenon.
Boseman followed up that film with smaller appearances in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019), but was positioned to become one of the MCU’s leaders in both future ‘Avengers’ and ‘Black Panther’ films. What almost no one knew, however, was that Boseman was battling colon cancer, which finally claimed his life in August 2020 and led to a global outpouring of grief for the acclaimed actor.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
The news appeared to rock Marvel Studios as well, which had to revamp its plans for a second ‘Black Panther’ movie with writer/director Ryan Coogler. Because Boseman had become so strongly identified with the role, the studio pledged that the part would never be recast and that future ‘Black Panther’ movies would focus on other characters from the Wakandan nation.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ which arrived in November 2022 and earned $859 million worldwide, addressed the tragedy by having T’Challa die offscreen in the opening minutes of the film. The rest of the movie saw T’Challa’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) elevated to the role of Black Panther as she led Wakanda in a battle with the undersea kingdom of Talokan.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
The notion of ‘recasting Black Panther’ could be open to many different interpretations. The least likely option is that Marvel wants to simply recast the original character, which would be thorny given that both the MCU character and the beloved actor who played him are deceased. Fans were divided at the time of Boseman’s death over whether Marvel should hire a new actor for the part, although that debate seems to have cooled during the ensuing years.
But two other alternatives seem more likely: the first is that a different T’Challa would emerge from one of the many realities that now exist in the Marvel multiverse – perhaps even one who is not a superhero at all and could even be a villain. Following the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom for the upcoming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ films, as well as the reported return of former Captain America Chris Evans in an undisclosed role, the mixing and matching of actors and characters from Marvel’s past seems very much on the table.
The other possibility is that the role will be an older version of T’Challa and Nakia’s (Lupita Nyong’o) infant son, who was introduced at the end of ‘Wakanda Forever’ and was also named T’Challa. He could by birthright inherit the Black Panther persona, although that would require a time jump in the franchise to make him at least a teenager.
No actors’ names have been mentioned for the part, but Sneider noted that “an actor was actually offered the role [of T’Challa] this past fall…but they turned it down, not wanting to jeopardize their career momentum by stepping into Boseman’s gigantic shoes.” The reporter added that whoever lands the role would possibly make their debut in one of the upcoming ‘Avengers’ sequels before starring in ‘Black Panther 3.’
And what would that mean for current Black Panther Shuri? With Letitia Wright embroiled in several controversies over the past few years, it’s not unreasonable to speculate that Marvel may want to lessen her involvement in the series.
What is the future of Black Panther?
(L to R) Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige presenting ‘Ironheart’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Following the release of ‘Wakanda Forever,’ news about the future of the ‘Black Panther’ franchise was somewhat fleeting. Coogler is developing a series for Disney+ that would explore other aspects of Wakanda, while the long-delayed ‘Ironheart’ series – featuring the title character, who was introduced in ‘Wakanda Forever’ – is finally scheduled to premiere on the streamer in June 2025.
However, interest in the franchise was reignited in November 2024 when Denzel Washington casually revealed in an interview that Coogler was “writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’” Later that month, it was announced that longtime Marvel exec Nate Moore – who had shepherded both ‘Black Panther’ films to the screen – was leaving the company but would return to produce ‘Black Panther 3’ for the studio, although the film has not been officially announced.
The news reported by Sneider, however, combined with the revelations about Washington and Moore, seem to indicate that ‘Black Panther’ remains very much a going concern for Marvel – and that the pioneering franchise could have a very different look and face going forward.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Other ‘Black Panther’ Related Movies and TV Shows:
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
Denzel Washington says a role is being crafted for him in ‘Black Panther 3’
Marvel has yet to officially confirm the movie.
Washington will next be seen in ‘Gladiator II.’
When Denzel Washington speaks, people listen. And we’re definitely ready to listen when the Oscar-winning actor, who is doing the press rounds for Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II,’ says a role is being written for him in a hotly anticipated movie.
“At this point in my career, I’m only interested in working with the best, I don’t know how many more films I will make, probably not that many. I want to do things that I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22, I’m now going to play it at 70. After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ ”
Wait, what?!
What’s the status of Black Panther 3?
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ director Ryan Coogler.
While we –– and indeed, the world at large –– would most definitely be happy to see Denzel Washington in the MCU, Marvel has of yet not confirmed that a third ‘Black Panther’ movie is even happening, and co-writer/director/franchise overseer Ryan Coogler hasn’t officially dropped word he’s making another movie.
It would hardly surprise us though –– the first ‘Black Panther’ was a zeitgeisty triumph, earning more than a billion at the box office. And while follow up ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ had to reckon with the tragic death of star Chadwick Boseman and the aftereffects of the pandemic on moviegoing, it also managed to take in more than $859 million at the box office.
So far, Coogler is pushing the story forward in other ways, including the ‘Ironheart’ Disney+ series featuring the character of young inventor Riri Williams, as played by Dominique Thorne in ‘Wakanda Forever.’ That show launches in June next year.
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And there is also animated offering ‘Eyes of Wakanda,’ which also debuts on Disney+ on August 6th.
Here’s the thing, though: if you can get Denzel Washington in your movie, you get Denzel Washington in your movie. And while we seriously doubt he would sign up for a recurring role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a one-shot as potentially a villain or some other character in a new ‘Black Panther’ is something to anticipate. Let’s see what happens…
What else does Denzel Washington have coming up?
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.
Next up for the actor is the aforementioned ‘Gladiator II,’ in theaters on November 22nd.
He’s also worked on Spike Lee’s new movie, ‘High and Low,’ which is in post-production but doesn’t yet have an announced release date.
