Black Panther Writer Reveals Story Details & MCU Impact

Marvel Studios has started their Phase 3 initiative off on a strong foot, thanks to the mega-success of Captain America: Civil War. That film, covering a violent ideological schism between Captain America and Iron Man, led to many Marvel Cinematic Universe superheroes having to choose sides of the debate - while a few new MCU heroes like Spider-Man and Black Panther were thrown into the middle of the fray.

T'Challa/Black Panther was a particularly big part of Civil War's story - and actor Chadwick Boseman managed to give him a captivating regal nobility and fierceness that definitely sold mainstream audiences on the idea of Marvel launching a standalone Black Panther movie.

Directing this big screen adventure is Creed's Ryan Coogler, who has made it clear that - from the subject matter to the tone - Black Panther will be a different sort of Marvel movie. As with all MCU films, the details of Black Panther are being kept under wraps - but script writer Joe Robert Cole (The People vs. O.J. Simpson) was recently dropping a few details about what we can expect to see in the film, as well as where/when it takes place.

In speaking with /Film, Cole revaled that Black Panther will pick up shortly after the events of Civil War:

"Our standalone movie will begin shortly after Civil War ends. So we'll be able to see him mourning and him starting to take command as king of his own nation. Lots of things are going to occur within regards to that. The country will be under threat from inside and out so we'll learn what Wakanda is, that nation, as the most technologically advanced nation on the planet. Also, as Wakanda's rise to prominence happens, it will affect the MCU moving forward which is really exciting."

While a lot of the discussion surrounding Black Panther has focused on diversity (a cast that's majority black actors), or its unique cultural setting (an African nation), there's been less focus on Wakanda's position within Marvel lore - specifically, its status as the world's most technologically advanced nation. We already saw how Ultron used Wakanda's vibranium (the MCU's most valuable metal) for terrible purpose; if the actual technology of Wakanda begins to play a bigger role in things, it could mean serious upgrades for both the heroes and villains of the MCU.

However, Cole isn't letting the more fantastical elements of Black Panther's world (the tech) distract him from the opportunity to shed light on the rich culture and history of Africa:

"Africa is such a huge nation," Cole said. "There are so many countries, each of them with different histories, mythologies, and cultures but what we tried to do was hone in on some of the history, some of the cultural influences and then extrapolate out in our technology, extrapolate out in how we see Wakanda and the different parts of the country and the culture of the country as well. So we wanted to root it in reality first and then build out from there, so we'd feel pretty authentic and grounded."

We already discussed how Luke Cage's setting in Harlem will give Marvel rich insight into African-American community and culture, but the African homeland has only Black Panther to do it justice. Luckily, Coogler is a proven director, Cole seems to have his storytelling mind in the right place, and the cast is stacked with talent, including Boseman, Creed stary Michael B. Jordan, Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o and Walking Dead star Danai Gurira. If ever there was a blockbuster "Black Movie" worth getting excited about, Black Panther is it.

Doctor Strange arrives November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming– July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel– March 8, 2019; Avengers 4 – May 3, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.