According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Studios is activley developing a BLACK PANTHER movie.
The’ve signed Mark Bailey, thus far a documentary filmmaker to write a script for the character, who first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 in 1966. The Black Panther has the unusal background of being the ruler of a ountry; he is King T’Challa of Wakanda, and mythical African nation.
It’s about time the character made it to the screen. The Panther has languished in development hell since the 1990’s with projects at Columbia Pictures and Artisan Entertainment going nowhere. Wesley Snipes (BLADE) was attached to the intended production at both studios.
Interesting for me to note in searching for art that The Black Panther is back to wearing a cape, as he did in his intial appearance.
MTV reports from Sundance that IRON MAN 2 star Don Cheadle revealed that Marvel is also developing a WAR MACHINE solo film.
… I think they’ve hired a writer, so we’ll see how it goes. It would be a lot of fun.”
Cheadle is quoted as saying that he does not expect War Machine to appear in THE AVENGERS, noting the at the film is already chock full of Marvel character, and that he felt Rhodey (James Rhodes) was “kind of a lone wolf” in any event.
Don’t see the point of a solo War Machine film myself, as he’s basically just a different guy in Iron Man armor. IRON MAN 3 is supposed to be coming in the relatively near future.
However, if they come up with an interesting plot, WAR MACHINE could be good action film—particularly if he’s not just used as a err… war machine.