There is arguably no character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe whose costume looks as cool and badass as Black Panther's vibranium suit. T'Challa's suit looks equal parts regal, intimidating and stylish. The character is even getting an upgraded suit for his solo movie debut. But just because it looks great doesn't mean it's comfortable. In fact, actor Chadwick Boseman hated wearing the Black Panther costume at first because of how uncomfortable it was. He's fine with wearing it now after acclimating to it, but in the beginning, during Captain America: Civil War, wearing the Black Panther suit was not a pleasant experience, as the actor explained.
It was suffocating. Literally, it closed off every possibility of air getting to you. I was in it, put the mask on. I said, 'Hey, you got to get me out of this!' I think it begins to feel like skin after a while. But it takes time to get to that place.
Yeah, that does not sound like a fun time. Not being able to breathe is one of the most physically unsettling feelings you can have, and voluntarily putting on a costume that has this effect takes some getting used to. I mean, not too many people are used to wearing full body spandex suits, and I imagine putting one on as well as a tight mask has to be quite the claustrophobic experience. No wonder he immediately wanted out of the costume when he first tried it on. As Chadwick Boseman told Variety, it takes time to get comfortable with it and that's understandable. I suppose once you get over the fact that you aren't going to really suffocate, you can just keep reminding yourself how cool you're going to look.
Wakandan technology has mastered the bulletproof uses of vibranium to craft a combat-ready outfit for a king, but they haven't yet figured out how to make it gym short comfortable. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and uncomfortable is the body that wears the suit. Fortunately, Chadwick Boseman adjusted to the Black Panther costume and is fine with wearing it now, saying it begins to feel like skin. That's a good thing, too, because given the excitement for Black Panther and the continuing evolution of the MCU, Chadwick Boseman could be wearing the Black Panther costume for years to come. Early reactions to Black Panther are overwhelmingly positive and opening weekend predictions continue to rise as audiences are getting more stoked to see this badass-looking character and the world he inhabits.
Chadwick Boseman isn't the first actor to have to don a nightmarishly uncomfortable costume. Superhero costumes are usually unpleasant to wear across the board. Given the superhero community's affinity for the crime fighting applicability of spandex, most costumes are tight and feel weird. Whether it be the Mystique makeup or the Spider-Man suit, the price to pay for getting to play these incredible characters is often extreme discomfort.
You can see Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther, in theaters on February 16. For all the latest in superhero fashion and how to know if spandex is right for you, stay tuned to CinemaBlend.
