Tag: Black Panther

Posted on in Film News

Michael B. Jordan Admits He “Bombed” His ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Audition & Still Open To Reprise ‘Black Panther’ Villain Erik Killmonger

Michael B. Jordan is certainly is a different place in his career after two installments of Creed with a third on the way as he’ll make his feature film directorial debut on Creed III. He also got Marvel redemption after playing Johnny Storm in Fox’s Fantastic Four reboot only to play the complex villain Erik Killmonger in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther.

Jordan is attempting to launch another franchise with Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, set directly within the Jack Ryan universe and is attached to reprise his role in a Rainbow Six movie based on the Clancy novel. The new action film is currently playing on Amazon Prime Video and the actor is making the press rounds to promote it.

While speaking on the Variety podcast Just For Variety with Mark Malkin (via The Playlist), the actor revealed not everything has gone his way during his Hollywood journey as he recalls completely messing up an audition for a role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens with J.J. Abrams himself in the room.

JORDAN: “It was probably the Star Wars’ audition that I had with JJ [Abrams], I think. It just wasn’t my best. It was probably my worst to date. I just couldn’t wrap my brain around some of the sides. When you’re reading for these high-level projects, there’s never really any specificity in the sides. Everything is super gray and a secret. Reading it through, I just couldn’t connect it. Definitely bombed that one, for sure.”

I think he’s recovered from that experience and might potentially have a sigh of relief after the publicly frustrating experience cast members of the recent Star Wars trilogy were exposed to on and off the set. Notably, the racism that John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran faced from so-called “fans” alongside what looked to be both their roles being trimmed at certain points in the trilogy by the studio.

Speaking of Black Panther, Entertainment Tonight also interviewed Jordan and brought up the possibility of him reprising the role of Erik Killmonger (died in last film) at some point. We know that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to shoot this July in Atlanta and could likely conflict with the pre-production/filming of Creed III as Jordan will direct and star making it difficult for him to have a significant role in the Marvel sequel.

JORDAN: “There’s always a love I have for those characters and Erik is definitely one of those that means a lot to me. So only if it’s the right thing and it’s impactful and if I could add something to it. If it means something then, yeah, I wanna be a part of that journey, you know?”

SOURCE: JUST FOR VARIETY & ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT

Posted on in Film News

‘Black Panther 2’ Working Title Is ‘Summer Break’

As a summer production in Atlanta is expected for Marvel’s Black Panther sequel directed by Ryan Coogler, the film has apparently landed it’s own working title alongside other Marvel Studios projects shooting in 2021.

Production Weekly is listing the working title as Summer Break. This will be strictly used during the filming of Black Panther 2 and these faux titles are often chosen by the directors.

Other recent working titles for MCU film projects are as follows.

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME = THE NOVEMBER PROJECT

THOR: LOVE & THUNDER = THE BIG SALAD

CAPTAIN MARVEL 2 = GOAT RODEO

ANT-MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA = DUST BUNNY

Details on the project are scarce but with the passing of T’Challa actor Chadwick Boseman there had been multiple confirmations from Marvel Studios brass that they have zero plans to use a digital version of Chadwick and have also downplayed the idea of recasting the role. We still don’t know what their plan is for the sequel and who exactly will take on the mantle.

Narcos Mexico star Tenoch Huerta had reportedly landed a villain role in the sequel but his character wasn’t mentioned in the report. We assume that they’ll be able to wrangle original cast members to return such as Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Florence Kasumba, Martin Freeman.

At the end of the first installment, Wakanda revealed itself to the world and it’s advanced technology could lead to conflict with other nations. Fans have been hoping that complex characters such as Namor or Doctor Doom could end up appearing in the sequel but neither have been confirmed.

Director Ryan Coolger is also developing a Wakanda spinoff series for Disney+ as part of his overall deal with Disney. We’ve seen Wakanda take a small role in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier and could be planting seeds for the Coogler show.

Black Panther 2 has been given a release date of July 8, 2022.

SOURCE: PRODUCTION WEEKLY

Posted on in Film News

Jordan Peele Reportedly Taps Keke Palmer & Daniel Kaluuya As Leads In His Next Film Coming July 2022

Deadline reports that actress Keke Palmer has joined the cast of Jordan Peele’s next feature film for Universal Pictures. They’re also backing up a previous report from The Illuminerdi that Get Out breakout-star Daniel Kaluuya is negotiating to reunite with Peele on the untitled film.

Illuminerdi also claimed that Daniel’s Judas & The Black Messiah co-star Jesse Plemons would be in the film as well, but this has yet to be supported by the trades. Filming they suggested would begin this April in Los Angeles, California.

Depending on when the Peele project shoots this could mean that Kaluuya might not be returning for Marvel’s Black Panther 2 that had been expected to begin shooting around June/July in Atlanta. Although, an April start and if they finish quick enough it likely won’t hinder his involvement. But given how many productions have been delayed or paused due to COVID-19 it’s hard to make assumptions about any film project finishing up on schedule.

Details about the project are scarce but Peele’s last two films skewed into the body horror realm.

Jordan’s movies are essentially a license to print money as Get Out was made for $4.5 million and ended-up making $255.4 million at the global box office. His follow-up Us earned a similar amount at $255.1 million but cost $20 million, dipping slightly into that return but still strong successes given they were both original takes on the horror genre.

The secretive project is set for a release by Universal Pictures on July 22nd, 2022.

SOURCE: DEADLINE & THE ILLUMINERDI

Posted on in Film News

Michael B. Jordan Won’t Say If He’ll Appear In ‘Black Panther 2’ But Keen On Returning To The Franchise

There have been multiple unconfirmed rumors that Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger would be returning for Black Panther 2, however, this has yet to be supported officially.

Michael B. Jordan today spoke with ABC’s Good Morning America while promoting his upcoming Amazon action flick Without Remorse. During his chat with the morning show, he was asked if he’d return for the sequel but wasn’t confirming his involvement while reaffirming a previous desire to return to the Black Panther franchise and Marvel Cinematic Universe if asked by the studio.

JORDAN: “I can’t say too much about that one, man. Honestly, with the year that we’ve had and the loss of a dear friend. They were figuring out whatever they need to do or what’s best for the franchise. They’re family, so if I ever have the opportunity to get back into that franchise, I would.”

Marvel Studios and Ryan Coolger have yet to reveal what their ultimate plan would be in the wake of the death of Chadwick Boseman, as Kevin Feige has repeatedly said they wouldn’t recast the T’Challa role or use a digital-double.

Fans have speculated the Multiverse could open the door to heroic (also alive) incarnation of Killmonger, allowing the character to take the franchise reigns from T’Challa. However, this is only a theory as characters such as Shuri and M’Baku have also been fan-favorites to take the mantle.

Coolger is developing multiple series for Marvel and Disney+ starting with one set within the Kingdom of Wakanda.

Production on Black Panther 2 is said to begin this June in Atlanta, Georgia with a release date of July 8th, 2022.

SOURCE: GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Posted on in Television News

Ryan Coogler Alludes To Working With Marvel Studios On Multiple Shows For Disney+

Following-up to the Deadline report that Black Panther director Ryan Coolger is making a Wakanda series with Marvel Studios for Disney+ as part of his new development deal between Disney and his production company Proximity Media, we might be getting more Marvel shows from Coogler.

In an official press release from Marvel Studios that was also cited in the Deadline report, Ryan reveals he’ll be working on “select MCU Shows” giving us the impression we’ll see him involved with more than just one show. However, they stopped short from revealing what those projects could be.

COOGLER: “It’s an honor to be partnering with The Walt Disney Company. Working with them on Black Panther was a dream come true. As avid consumers of television, we couldn’t be happier to be launching our television business with Bob Iger, Dana Walden and all the amazing studios under the Disney umbrella. We look forward to learning, growing, and building a relationship with audiences all over the world through the Disney platforms. We are especially excited that we will be taking our first leap with Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso and their partners at Marvel Studios where we will be working closely with them on select MCU shows for Disney+. We’re already in the mix on some projects that we can’t wait to share.”

There is a good chance that he could be exploring characters outside of the Black Panther/Wakanda franchise.

Ryan is said to be getting ready to shoot Black Panther 2 this summer in Atlanta.

SOURCE: MARVEL

Posted on in Television News

‘Black Panther 2’ Director Ryan Coogler Developing Wakanda Series For Disney+ As Part of An Overall TV Deal With Disney

Deadline has breaking news that Ryan Coogler has secured a five-year overall television deal with Disney and that he’s already going to develop Black Panther spinoff series for Disney+ that will take place within the Kingdom of Wakanda.

However, there are no current details about who that show will be focusing on.

Disney has made a five-year overall exclusive television deal with Coogler’s Proximity Media, which he runs with principals Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Peter Nicks. Coogler, who is working on the Black Panther feature sequel he will direct this year, will develop new television series for the studio. The first one will delight Black Panther fans: a drama based in the Kingdom of Wakanda for Disney+. The deal also enables Proximity to develop television for other divisions of the Company.

Coogler is currently prepping and writing Black Panther 2, which Marvel Studios is hoping to begin filming this summer in Atlanta, Georgia. Marvel has gone the record multiple times they will not be recasting the T’Challa role after the death of Chadwick Boseman and are not exploring a digital double either.

Will we see the adventures of The Dora Milaje or The Jabari Tribe?

This looks to be part of a push from Marvel Studios to cement their commitments to having a stronger presence of black characters in their growing cinematic universe which has been mostly seen on the television side of the MCU thanks to new Disney+ shows. The three big new series announcements revealed back in December included Samuel L. Jackson’s Secret Invasion, Don Cheadle’s Armor Wars, and newcomer Dominique Thorne playing engineering wiz-kid Riri Williams in Ironheart.

We’re also starting to see Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau in WandaVision becoming an integral part of the MCU before joining fellow cosmic heroines Carol Danvers and Kamala Khan in Captain Marvel 2.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

‘Black Panther 2’: Kevin Feige Reaffirms Marvel Won’t Use A CGI Chadwick Boseman In Sequel

You might remember an unreliable YouTuber was pushing a rumor that Marvel Studios was considering using a CGI Chadwick Boseman for Black Panther 2, something that was quickly debunked by Marvel Studios’ Victoria Alonso when speaking with Clarin last year.

ALONSO: “No. There’s only one Chadwick, and he’s not with us. Our king, unfortunately, has died in real life, not just in fiction, and we are taking a little time to see how we return to the story and what we do to honor this chapter of what has happened to us that was so unexpected, so painful, so terrible, really.”

“[We] have to think carefully about what we are going to do, and how, and think about how we are going to honor the franchise.”

During the Disney Investor Day back in December, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed they weren’t planning on recasting the T’Challa role. He’s now reaffirmed they have zero plan to use a CGI version of Chadwick in the sequel while speaking with Deadline to promote the upcoming release of WandaVision.

However, he is being vague how they’ll continue the franchise as referring back to writer/director Ryan Coogler working on hard on the project.

FEIGE: “So much of the comics and that first movie is the world of Wakanda. Wakanda is a place to further explore with characters and different subcultures. This was always and initially the primary focus of the next story. We’re not going to have a CG Chadwick and we’re not recasting T’Challa. Ryan Coogler is working very hard right now on the script with all the respect and love and genius that he has, which gives us great solace, so it was always about furthering the mythology and the inspiration of Wakanda. There’s also the task of honoring and respecting the ongoing learnings and teachings from Chad as well.”

Narcos: Mexico actor Tenoch Huerta is reportedly playing an unnamed villain in the new film and has a release date of July 8th, 2022 with production said to begin this summer in Atlanta, Georgia.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

Will Letitia Wright Have A Bigger Role In ‘Black Panther 2’?

Another little tidbit in The Hollywood Reporter’s casting news concerning Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 2 with Narcos: Mexico actor Tenoch Huerta in talks to play one of the film’s villains. They mention that the returning cast will include Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Wintston Duke, and Angela Bassett with the former possibly getting a much larger role.

Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett are expected to return for the new feature, with some saying Wright’s character may take on a more prominent role. Marvel, which had no comment on this story, has not revealed its plans on how it plans to proceed without Boseman, although it has indicated that it will not use CGI to include the late star in the film.

Oddly enough, Danai Gurira is not part of this returning group but I assume she will be in the future.

Chadwick passed over the summer after a battle of colon cancer and everyone involved has been focused on mourning which makes me a little skeptical they’ll at this pointing locking-down production dates after they just lost their lead actor. Marvel Studios executive vice president Victoria Alonso debunked an online rumor that they were considering on using a digital-double of Chadwick Boseman for the film.

While the outlet is pushing this news that filming is set to begin in July the studio hasn’t confirmed if they’ll be promoting Wright’s Shuri to Black Panther status or simply recasting the T’Challa role which seems like the simpler move on their part as weird as it might be. Handing the reigns to Shuri would mean they’d also have to kill-off the T’Challa character and I’m not terribly sure Disney is keen on that idea. However, giving Wright more to do in sequel could lead to her becoming Black Panther at some point.

There seems to be a process where the ruler of Wakanda can retire the Black Panther position and still rule, as was the case of T’Chaka and T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War.

We’ll have to wait and see what Marvel/Coolger ultimately decide to do.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Posted on in Film News

‘Narcos: Mexico’ Actor Tenoch Huerta In Talks To Play ‘Black Panther 2’ Villain – Eyeing July Production Start

The Hollywood Reporter has news that Marvel and director Ryan Coogler are in talks with Narcos: Mexico actor Tenoch Huerta to play one of the villains of Black Panther 2.

Also, they state that Marvel Studios wants filming to begin by July of next year in Atlanta, Georgia.

They’re not naming his role but Huerta would make for interesting MCU incarnation of Namor The Sub-Mariner, as he played a complex cartel member on Narcos: Mexico and I’ve been championing different types of actors for the role when it comes time for Marvel to cast an actor for it.

Namor’s Atlantis and T’Challa’s Wakanda have come to all-out war in the comics with Namor flooding Wakanda along with the two high-tech nations almost exchanging nuclear weapons. There is certainly tension there between them and plenty of unconfirmed rumors that Namor could end up being a villain go all the way back to the first film’s release. The sinking of Atlantis aka The Great Cataclysm in Marvel Comics has a direct connection to Celestials, Deviants, and Eternals which could be introduced in the upcoming Eternals film. Nods to Namor go all way back to Captain America: The First Avenger and have been sprinkled throughout multiple films since.

There are even objects from the Guardians of The Galaxy attraction Mission Breakout! located at the Disney theme parks that tease an Atlantis connection via “Terran Ocean Artifacts”.

Of course, the role could be something else entirely but he’s giving off Namor vibes.

Chadwick Boseman passed over the summer due to a battle with colon cancer (something he kept private) and everyone involved with the project has been taking time to mourn his passing. I’m not entirely sure how fixed that production start is given that was likely when they were planning on shooting before the death of Chadwick and there could be adjustments or delays upcoming.

Marvel Studios still hasn’t announced what their plans are with the T’Challa role but have debunked a rumor of using a digital-double of the late actor for the sequel.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Posted on in Film News

Marvel Studios’ Victoria Alonso Debunks Bizarre ‘Black Panther 2’ Rumor – “There’s Only One Chadwick and He’s Not With Us”

Sorry folks, Marvel Studios is not going to use a digital-double of Chadwick Boseman for their Black Panther sequel. As terrible as that sounded it wasn’t even something they’ve been considering according to Marvel Studios brass.

In a new interview with Marvel Studios executive vice president Victoria Alonso, she reveals to Clarin (via Comic Book Movie) they are not in anyway considering CGI effects to resurrect recently departed actor Chadwick Boseman for Black Panther 2 as they haven’t even started to think about what they want to do as they’re still mourning the late actor.

ALONSO: “No. There’s only one Chadwick, and he’s not with us. Our king, unfortunately, has died in real life, not just in fiction, and we are taking a little time to see how we return to the story and what we do to honor this chapter of what has happened to us that was so unexpected, so painful, so terrible, really.”

“[We] have to think carefully about what we are going to do, and how, and think about how we are going to honor the franchise.”

Chadwick Boseman, you might remember suddenly passed over the summer from colon cancer. Something he kept private and even shot multiple Marvel films during his treatment. People close to the production of Black Panther 2 (including Marvel and Disney) are stilling mourning the loss of Chadwick and the studio rightfully isn’t rushing the production giving people time to grieve. It’s still unclear what they’ll do with the film which fans should have an extra notch of patience for the cast, creatives, and crew at this time.

The ghoulish rumor originally came from YouTuber Grace Randolph, who isn’t a reliable source of news.

SOURCE: CLARIN