Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years A Slave”) has a lot cooking at the moment. This month, she launches her new podcast, “Mind Your Own,” on September 19, and her new animated film, “The Wild Robot,” in theaters on September 27 (read our review). On the Marc Maron WTF podcast to promote both projects, Nyong’o was also asked about her work in Marvel’s “Black Panther” franchise and suggested there was much anxiety about making the film.

Continue reading Lupita Nyong’o Says “There Was Definitely Fear” Making ‘Black Panther’: “The Studio Was Taking A Chance” at The Playlist.

MCU fans know Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, aka: The Falcon, who will soon don the Captain America mantle in “Captain America: Brave New World” next year. But if Mackie had his way, he’d be another Marvel superhero altogether: Black Panther.

READ MORE: ‘Brave New World’: Anthony Mackie Shares Behind-The-Scenes Image & New Title For ‘Captain America 4’

Variety reports (via a new Inverse interview) that Mackie revealed he wrote Marvel Studios several times to play the Wakandan king and superhero.

Continue reading Anthony Mackie Wrote Letters To Marvel Studios About Playing Black Panther Before He Landed Sam Wilson Role at The Playlist.

Last night was a big night for Marvel Studios. Angela Bassett became the first actor in a Marvel film to take home a trophy at the Golden Globes. This is due to her outstanding performance in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” So, even before she won her award, there was plenty of discussion of the “Black Panther” franchise on the red carpet, and star Letitia Wright was there to confirm that more is on the horizon.

Continue reading Letitia Wright Says ‘Black Panther 3’ Is “Already In The Works” But It Might Take A Little While at The Playlist.

When Chadwick Boseman passed away a couple of years ago, there were folks talking about possible replacements for the actor in the role of T’Challa in the “Black Panther” franchise. A name that was brought up for that role, and really any sort of Wakandan role, was John Boyega. However, the actor has gone on record saying that he isn’t interested in a Marvel role.

Continue reading John Boyega Says ‘The Woman King’ Is “The Closest” He’ll Ever Be To The ‘Black Panther’ Franchise at The Playlist.

*Be warned, major spoilers ahead for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”*

Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is expected to cross $600 million at the global box office this weekend. And it’s really quite the feat that co-writer/director Ryan Coogler was able to pull off, given the heartbreaking development process after losing actor Chadwick Boseman and trying to get the massive film completed while honoring his memory.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: Angela Bassett Asked Ryan Coogler To Reconsider Her Character’s Fate at The Playlist.

There were a lot of questions going into the release of Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” How would the sequel deal with the sudden passing of Chadwick Boseman, the franchise’s leader? Who is going to suit up as the new Black Panther? And do we really need a villain with pointy ears and winged ankles? Thankfully, Ryan Cooger and his fantastic cast have once again delivered a “Black Panther” film that answers all those questions a whole lot more.

Continue reading ‘Wakanda Forever’: The ‘Black Panther’ Sequel Offers Superhero Grief Counseling & Another Dose Of Geopolitical Intrigue [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

While it’s unclear whether or not Ryan Coogler is going to return to direct another “Black Panther” film after the release of ‘Wakanda Forever,’ it has long been known the filmmaker is working alongside Marvel Studios to develop spinoffs for Disney+. Originally, it was revealed that the spinoff would be focused on the Dora Milaje, led by Danai Gurira’s Okoye.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther’ Producer Suggests Multiple Wakanda Series Coming To Disney+ With Some “Completely New” Characters at The Playlist.

We are just a couple of days away from the long-awaited release of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and believe me, it’s going to be an absolutely massive film at the box office and fans are going to lose their minds (in a good way, obviously) when they see what Ryan Coogler and Co. have done with the story. Naturally, as with any Marvel Studios film, however, the conversation will quickly change to what the future holds for the “Black Panther” franchise, but also, perhaps more importantly, what happens next for Coogler. 

Continue reading Ryan Coogler Denies ‘Secret Wars’ Directing Rumors: “That’s Crazy” at The Playlist.

There’s no line in ‘Wakanda Forever,’ the sequel to Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” (2018), as bruising and seething as “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors that jumped from the ships because they knew death was better than bondage.” But emotionally, this somber ‘Black Panther’ sequel is just as visceral and lacerating and perhaps just as absolutist. And spiritually, there is great lineage to this bitter resignation about demise, pride, ancestries, the great depths below us, and the refusal to accept enslavement.

Continue reading ‘Wakanda Forever’ Review: ‘Black Panther’ Sequel Is Overstuffed & Yet Still Succeeds With Heart, Soul, Grief & Great Stakes at The Playlist.

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the discourse surrounding “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is mainly focused on how the franchise is moving forward without its lead, Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away after a long bout with colon cancer. Because of this discourse, each person involved with the sequel has been vocal about why they think it’s a good thing that ‘Black Panther’ is continuing and how the new film deals with the real-life tragedy.

Continue reading Ryan Coogler Explains Original ‘Black Panther 2’ Idea Was A “Character Study” Following “T’Challa’s Perspective” at The Playlist.

We are just over a month away from the long-awaited release of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Not only is this film the sequel to the billion-dollar-grossing 2018 film, “Black Panther,” but it’s also the first film in the franchise to arrive after the death of Chadwick Boseman. And according to director Ryan Coogler, despite the huge success of the first film, the filmmaker wasn’t sure he wanted to return.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: Ryan Coogler Wanted To Quit Filmmaking After Chadwick Boseman’s Death at The Playlist.

Letitia Wright has been in some of the biggest films of all time, playing a superhero for Marvel Studios. But her role in the new movie, “The Silent Twins,” directed by celebrated Polish auteur Agnieszka Smoczynska (“Lure“), might have been one of the most intense productions she has experienced in her career thus far. And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, I had the opportunity to talk to Wright about her role in “The Silent Twins,” as well as one of the most anticipated films of the year, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

READ MORE: ‘Kiin’: Watch ‘The Silent Films’ Companion Short Film To Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s Cannes Hit

Obviously, most people recognize Wright from her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she played the young, wisecracking scientist, Shuri, in “Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame.” However, her role in “The Silent Twins” is a very different affair.

Continue reading ‘The Silent Twins’: Letitia Wright Talks Her Intense Prep, Her Confidence In The ‘Black Panther’ Sequel & More [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

Yesterday, news hit that Marvel Studios and director Ryan Coogler finally resumed production on “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” following an injury sustained by co-star Letitia Wright on set over the summer. Filming paused while the British actress recovered, and she seemingly has resolved vaccine requirements to return to Atlanta to shoot the movie, as indicated in a report from The Hollywood Reporter.

In the outlet’s story, the publications briefly mention that some actors have secured new sweetheart deals.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther 2’: Winston Duke’s Breakout Character M’Baku Reportedly Has “Expanded Role” at The Playlist.

Bob Iger became the CEO of Disney way back in 2005. Under his control, the already-massive company only got bigger, particularly in the world of Hollywood. We’re talking about how Disney purchased Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel Studios, for example. The merging with 20th Century Fox is also a massive deal. But would you believe the CEO brings up one lonely superhero film when he first thinks of his greatest achievements at Disney?

Continue reading Former Disney CEO Bob Iger Names ‘Black Panther’ As One Of The Things He’s Most Proud Of During His Tenure at The Playlist.

For more than a decade now, Marvel Studios films have dominated the box office. They’ve even (mostly) earned rave reviews from just about every critic. And yet, outside of the rare technical category nomination, the Academy Awards have snubbed the superhero film studio. That is, until “Black Panther” earned seven nominations a few years ago. As Marvel Studios gears up its promotion of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” for awards consideration this year, Kevin Feige feels like it’s always going to be an uphill battle because of the logo that accompanies the film.

Continue reading Kevin Feige Thinks Marvel Studios Films Are The Victims Of “Genre Bias” During Awards Season at The Playlist.

After recent reports of behind-the-scenes issues during filming “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” it does appear the production is officially going on hiatus until 2022. And with the announcement, we’re learning more details about the injuries sustained by star Letitia Wright earlier this year.

In an internal memo sent to “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” cast and crew (via Deadline), Marvel Studios executives Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito, along with producer Nate Moore, explained the situation surrounding the troubled production and the injury to the film’s star, Letitia Wright.

Continue reading Marvel Confirms ‘Black Panther 2’ Hiatus As Letitia Wright Recovers From A “Critical Shoulder Fracture” & Concussion at The Playlist.

With this week’s ninth episode of “What If?” the MCU’s first animated adventure said goodbye to Season 1. But never fear, the multiversal series is set to return for Season 2 soon enough. But what fans probably didn’t know is that there was another animated series that had been in the early stages of development that would have served as a “What If?” spinoff series, but unfortunately, those plans were derailed after the surprising passing of Chadwick Boseman.

Continue reading ‘What If?’ Director Says Star-Lord T’Challa Spinoff Series Was Planned Before Chadwick Boseman’s Death at The Playlist.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still causing issues for the entire world, and the US trying its best to get as many people vaccinated as possible, there is increased scrutiny placed on people that spread anti-vax messaging. Even if you’re just someone who doesn’t hold any power and just goes about your normal life, if you go on social media and spread anti-vax memes, you’re likely going to be rightfully called out for doing so. And for “Black Panther” star, Letitia Wright, she learned this the hard way last year.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Star Letitia Wright Reportedly Spreading Anti-Vax Views On The Set Of Marvel’s Sequel at The Playlist.

Marvel Studios is making big waves in recent days with early buzz/reactions to “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and a brand new trailer for Chloe Zhao‘s “Eternals” finally showing off some of the film’s more visually striking shots, alongside action sequences.

READ MORE: Final ‘Eternals’ Trailer: Chloé Zhao’s Epic Entry Into The MCU Comes To Theaters November 5

It doesn’t stop there as a new character is expected to make their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe a lot sooner than previously expected.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther 2’: Dominique Thorne To Officially Make Her MCU Debut Before ‘Ironheart’ at The Playlist.

Comedic actor Randall Park (“Always Be My Maybe,” “Ant-Man & The Wasp“) is coming off a popular supporting role in Marvel Studios‘ first canonical entry into the world of television with “WandaVision,” reprising his MCU role of FBI Agent Jimmy Woo. It looks like he’ll be teaming up with another Marvel actor for an untitled action-comedy at Amazon Studios.

Continue reading Sterling K. Brown & Randall Park Team For Action Comedy Similar To ’48 Hours’ At Amazon at The Playlist.

What is a soul? Where do souls come from? And is life even worth living if everything feels hopeless? These are questions that are tackled in “Nine Days,” the debut feature from filmmaker Edson Oda. And helping answer those questions are the two leads, Zazie Beetz and Winston Duke, who joined The Playlist Podcast to talk about the new film, plus their Marvel histories.

Continue reading Zazie Beetz & Winston Duke Talk ‘Nine Days’ & A Potential ‘Deadpool’/’Black Panther’ Crossover [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

Marvel Studios and director Ryan Coogler are deep into production on their “Black Panther” sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Yet, even with cameras rolling, we don’t really know much about new additions to the cast besides Tenoch Huerta from “Narcos: Mexico” and the possible aid of “Loki” cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther’: Michaela Coel Joins ‘Wakanda Forever’ Sequel at The Playlist.

Everyone was heartbroken when the news broke that “Black Panther” actor Chadwick Boseman tragically died of colon cancer. Since that time, there has been a growing curiosity about how Marvel Studios and director Ryan Coogler plan to move forward with the superhero franchise without the beloved actor and lead character. Marvel brass previously stated publicly that they don’t plan on either recasting Boseman’s role as King T’Challa or morbidly using a digital double of the late actor.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther 2’ Script Underwent Five Different Incarnations According To Angela Bassett at The Playlist.

Though the original “Black Panther” only hit theaters and went on to earn more than $1.34 billion at the global box office in 2018, the three-year gap has felt like an eternity as the world has gone through so much in that time. And in terms of Marvel and “Black Panther,” that includes the sudden passing of Chadwick Boseman last year. Well, more than three years later, the sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has officially kicked off production, and according to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, it’s a film that would have made the late actor proud.

Continue reading Kevin Feige Says ‘Black Panther 2’ Would “Make Chad Proud” As Production On The Sequel Begins at The Playlist.

There are still a bunch of questions surrounding the forthcoming “Black Panther” sequel, “Wakanda Forever.” How will the franchise deal with the sudden passing of star Chadwick Boseman? Will there be an existing character taking over the mantle or will there be someone brand-new? Well, we are still quite a while from knowing the answer to those questions, but in terms of one familiar face, Danai Gurira, we know that she’s not only returning for “Wakanda Forever” but also the untitled “Black Panther” spinoff series coming to Disney+.

Continue reading Danai Gurira To Return As Okoye In ‘Black Panther’ Spinoff Series & ‘Wakanda Forever’ at The Playlist.