Cast Of Marvel's Black Panther Officially Announced

Saturday, during Marvel Studios' Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic Con, three cast members of the Black Panther solo film, which will be directed by Ryan Coogler and star Chadwick Boseman (Captain America: Civil War), were officially announced and introduced by Kevin Feige.

The Walking Dead star Danai Gurira is playing Okoye, the head of the Dora Milaje. Creed and Fantastic Four star Michael B. Jordan is playing Erik Killmonger. Lastly, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 12 Years a Slave star Lupita Nyong'o is portraying Nakia.

Let's start with Nakia and Okoye. In the comics, both of them were part of Dora Milaje ("Adored Ones"), the bodyguards and potential wives of T'Challa (Black Panther), the King of Wakanda. Nakia (a.k.a. Malice) fell hard for T'Challa, but he didn't share a romantic connection with her. She would later become jealous when he became engaged to the American Monica Lynne. As for Okoye, she and Nakia were good friends at one time, but that friendship slowly fell apart as Okoye accepted her ceremonial role and Nakia didn'tt.

Okay, now onto Killmonger, whose real name is N'Jadaka. When N'Jadaka was just a boy, Ulysses Klaw invaded Wakanda, taking Vibranium, killing the king, T'Chaka, and even kidnapping and enslaving some Wakandans. N'Jadaka and his family were among those unlucky souls. Though he would eventually escape to the United States, his family all perished. While in the U.S.A., he changed his name to Erik Killmonger and got a top-notch education, studying engineering and business. However, deep down, he wanted to return to Wakanda and seek out revenge against T'Chaka family because he blamed his and his family's suffering on the former king.

Black Panther has been an important character in the Marvel universe for 50 years. He is the king of the technologically-advanced nation of Wakanda, and Panther has served as a member of the Avengers in addition to his many solo adventures.

Black Panther will slash into theaters on February 16, 2018, and will start shooting in early 2017. It is being directed and co-written by Creed and Fruitvale Station filmmaker, Ryan Coogler.