Reports of Marvel Comics’ Black Panther coming to theaters soon is being confirmed by MTV and plans to have Morris Chestnut play the role of the first African-American superhero are being confirmed by the actor himself.
“It’s time to get familiar with the Black Panther character!” tweeted the “Boys N the Hood” and “Kick Ass 2” star.
Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and illustrator-co-plotter Jack Kirby, before the inception of the Black Panther Party, the Black Panther movie will not be part of what is being called the comic giant’s “phase two” of movies in the host of Marvel movies to come out in the next two years starting with the Avengers 2, in 2015.
However, MTV reports there is a screenplay by Mark Bailey “that is apparently fantastic,” according to the network’s website.
The Black Panther’s character was first introduced in the #52 issue of The Fantastic Four in July 1966.
The Black Panther’s story begins in the African kingdom of Wakanda where he is from. He married Strom from the X-Men, who also came from Africa. His nemesis was villain Ulysses Klaw, the Master of Sound.
After the arrival of the Black Panther came other African-American superheroes. The Falcon in 1969 and Luke Cage Hero For Hire in 1972.
The Falcon will make its big screen debut in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which will also hit screens soon.