Following the universe-altering cosmic adventure Thor: Ragnarok, it would have been easy to think of Black Panther as a self-contained story on the road to The Avengers: Infinity War. While Ryan Coogler's movie looks amazing, and Chadwick Boseman had a breakout performance in Captain America: Civil War, his story seems like it would be somewhat separate from the larger cosmic events taking place in the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. That perception is changing, however. Not only did the trailer for Infinity War have us start thinking the final Infinity Stone may be nestled safely within Wakanda, but now a new Japanese trailer for Black Panther offers more suggestion about a stray Infinity Stone. In the new spot, Boseman's T'Challa says,
If anyone found out what we truly are, and what we possess, it could destroy the world. It is my duty to protect it.
Whatever T'Challa and Wakanda are hiding, it sounds crazy powerful. T'Challa says it is his duty to protect 'it,' and 'it' sounds very much like a singular item. Wakanda is an incredibly secretive and technologically advanced nation. In the teaser trailer, Wakanda was compared to El Dorado, but here it has more of an Atlantean vibe to it - with a secretive and powerful source of energy. The Soul Stone is the last of the Infinity Stones to be introduced in the MCU, and if the Soul Stone is in Wakanda, it could have been there for centuries or longer and would provide an explanation why the country is so much more advanced than the rest of the world. We haven't seen the Soul Stone's powers in the MCU yet, but given its name, it would also make sense for it to be hidden in such a mystical and spiritual place.
It is important to mention that it is possible that what T'Challa is referencing here is simply the country's vast reserves of vibranium - the special metal that is best known as the material that makes up Captain America's shield. It is the strongest metal on the planet in the MCU - at least until adamantium comes into the mix. Having access to this vibranium would give any other country or entity an instant power-up thanks to the intrinsic value of the metal and its martial applications, and that's exactly how it works in the pages of Marvel Comics. But given the massive battle that takes place in Wakanda in the aforementioned Avengers: Infinity War trailer, it would make sense that the African nation could be hiding the one piece standing between Thanos and a completed Infinity Gauntlet.
In addition to the very telling line from T'Challa, this Japanese trailer for Black Panther also includes a ton of new footage, and we definitely recommend giving it a watch below:
Wakanda looks awesome and other than the impending invasion of an intergalactic villain, it could be a great vacation spot. We don't have long to wait to find out what it is that the nation possesses, as Black Panther roars into theaters on February 16, 2018. Check out our 2018 release schedule for all the comic book movie goodness and everything else coming out next year.
