This week is a big one for cinephiles and fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Just a few months after the triumphant release of Thor: Ragnarok, the shared universe will expand with Ryan Coogler's Black Panther. Focusing on the title character after his introduction in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther will introduce us to the high tech world of Wakanda, and feature an all-star cast of majority black actors. Fans are eager to see T'Challa fleshed out further, and possibly catch up with Bucky while he's on ice. Questions about a possible sequel are already happening, but Coogler recently revealed it's not on his radar yet. He said,
Man, I'm just here to talk about Black Panther. That's all I can talk about. That's all I can think about! We gotta sell the movie and get it out there! That's where my head is. I'm at the last stage of delivering the baby, you know what I'm saying?
Well, that was honest. Despite the way Marvel fans are constantly eager for more information, it appears that it's not on Ryan Coogler's radar at the moment. He's currently in the midst of promoting Black Panther, and celebrating the way the film is groundbreaking the MCU and the superhero genre in general.
Ryan Coogler's comments to ET make a great deal of sense, considering how blockbusters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe are promoted before their release. There are a never ending supply of appearances and junkets and, as the director, Coogler as at the center of it all. The Creed director has a fair amount of pressure to live up to, giving the character its first solo film, and the first MCU movie with a black protagonist. Every comic book movie is watched with a very detailed eye, as purists judge how authentic the adaptation is to the source material.
Questions about the Black Panther franchise's future are common, considering how very little is known about the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the untitled fourth Avengers movie. While Spider-Man: Homecoming's sequel is set to begin moments after the final blockbuster ended, it's unclear if franchises like Thor will continue on.
Since actor Chadwick Boseman is one of the heroes whose contracts won't be up, it's safe to say that Black Panther will likely be granted a sequel. It's also possible that Black Panther will end up becoming a larger role in the shared universe, adding to the pressure surrounding Ryan Coogler's blockbuster.
While there are still plenty of questions revolving around Black Panther, there going to be answered in just a few days time. Early reception for the movie has been overwhelmingly positive, but we've seen how fan reaction can sometimes differ from what the critics are saying.
Black Panther will arrive in theaters February 16, 2018. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
