It's a particularly exciting time for both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe. Wonder Woman and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 have both been met with critical acclaim and high box office performance, and upcoming projects are slowly revealing their details. On the MCU side of things, the first poster and teaser trailer for Ryan Coogler's Black Panther have been released, setting the internet buzzing with anticipation for the 2018 addition to the shared universe. The video seems to be universally acclaimed by audiences, and now even DC's head honcho has added his nod of approval to the throng.
Geoff Johns is crafting the overall DC Extended Universe, with a more involved role beginning after the release of Zack Snyder's divisive Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Regarding Black Panther's first footage, Johns took to Twitter to voice his approval, saying:
Now isn't that classy? It's good to see some cross company props given. Both universes are flying high right now, so there's a rare moment of tranquility between the MCU and DCEU. And considering Geoff Johns' personal relationship with the Wakandan superhero, it's safe to say he's an expert on the subject.
And the first trailer for Black Panther is certainly reason to celebrate. Ryan Coogler (Creed) is doing quite a bit of world building with the film, with the fictional country of Wakanda and its rich culture finally being brought into the MCU. The film will introduce a slew of new characters related to T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), with the principal ensemble made up of A-list talent including Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, and Michael B. Jordan.
Black Panther will help expand the MCU as a whole, as the hero and his relationship to the valuable fictional metal vibranium will likely play a major role in the upcoming battle against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa made a seriously great impression through his role in Captain America: Civil War, which has helped keep the anticipation for Ryan Coogler's film at an all time high. Additionally, Black Panther will include two recurring characters from the MCU: Martin Freeman's Everett K. Ross and Andy Serkis' Ulysses Klaue.
It's rather exciting to see the Marvel Cinematic Universe continue to expand, as Phase Three will feature a much more diverse set of films. We'll see how everyday New Yorkers function within the MCU in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Captain Marvel will expand the cosmic side of things, and Black Panther will be set in an entirety different (fictional) country.
Black Panther will arrive in theaters on February 16, 2018. In the meantime, check out our 2017 release schedule to plan your next trip to the movies.
