Monday, July 27
With all the hype surrounding the current slate of Marvel movies at the San Diego Comic-Con, there were others in development that were missed. One such movie is The Black Panther, a superhero hailing from a fictional African nation and a former Avenger as well. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra's Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, also well known as Mr. Eko from the TV show Lost, told MTV that he and Marvel are in negotiations over the role:
We're talking to Marvel about Black Panther. This is the first round, so you know, hopefully they'll look at G.I. Joe and see the potential. But it's about time we have a black superhero, isn't it?
Such words have been echoed by Wesley Snipes, who had been developing a Black Panther movie as late as 2006 until his notoriety with Blade put him out of the running.
While The Black Panther certainly has a long history in comics, he would hardly be the first African-American superhero comic adaptation to reach theaters. Doesn't anyone else remember Shaquille O'Neal as Steel?
Posted 7/27/2009 by Ryan
Related: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje | Shaquille O'Neal | Steel | The Black Panther | G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Friday, August 10
Director John Singleton hasn't even started production on his latest project, Tulia, and fanboys everywhere are already asking, "What's next?" Little wonder -- Singleton is attached to direct adaptations of two popular Marvel Comics titles: Luke Cage and The Black Panther. Though he won't say which one he'll do first, Singleton is more than happy to discuss other details, including which actors he'd like to see suit up in the lead roles.
While Tyrese Gibson remains the clear favorite to play Luke Cage (thanks largely to his profile-elevating turn in the blockbuster Transformers), the ideal choice for The Black Panther remains unclear. Up until now, much of the speculation regarding who might play the Panther has centered on multiple Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou -- an obvious choice, given that the character is African and that the Benin-bred Hounsou is the most prominent African actor working in Hollywood today.
In a recent exclusive interview with ReelzChannel.com, Singleton added another name to the list. "Chiwetel Ejiofor could do it," Singleton volunteered, referring to the acclaimed star of Talk to Me and Children of Men. Born in Great Britain to Nigerian parents, Ejiofor has the pedigree as well as the acting chops to handle the Panther role. And anyone who's seen Serenity (all seven of you) knows he can handle action. Just ask the browncoats.
Posted 8/10/2007 by reelz
Related: Chiwetel Ejiofor | The Black Panther | Luke Cage | John Singleton
Wednesday, August 1
Fanboys eager to see Marvel Comics heroes Luke Cage and The Black Panther on the big screen could end up waiting quite a while before either one arrives in theaters.
John Singleton, who is attached to direct both Luke Cage and The Black Panther, will first take on Tulia, based on the true story of 46 African-American residents of a small Texas town who were wrongly imprisoned in 1999 on dubious charges of drug possession. Halle Berry is set to star.
Singleton starts principal photography on the film, which is already being dubbed the Erin Brockovich for African-Americans, in about two months, with a release date planned for sometime next summer.
After that, it's either Cage or Panther -- Singleton hasn't decided yet which one he'll do first. "It depends on which script is available and which one is the best situation for me," he said yesterday in an exclusive interview with ReelzChannel.com.
Posted 8/1/2007 by reelz
Related: Halle Berry | The Black Panther | Luke Cage | John Singleton