Black Panther Series Overview

Movie Overview

Title:

Black Panther

Release Date:

February 16, 2018

Director:

Ryan Coogler

Screenplay:

Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole

Based on:

Black Panther by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Production Companies:

Marvel Studios, distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Budget:

Estimated at $200 million

Box Office Gross:

Over $1.3 billion worldwide

Logline

In the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, T’Challa returns home to assume his place as king but must defend his throne against powerful adversaries who challenge the values of his kingdom and his role in the world .

Plot Summary

After the death of his father, T’Chaka, in Captain America: Civil War, T’Challa returns to Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. But his ascension is complicated by the arrival of Erik Killmonger, a mercenary with a personal vendetta and claim to the throne. As Killmonger seeks to upend Wakanda’s isolationist policies to fuel a global uprising, T’Challa must face his own role as a leader and protector. With the help of his family and allies, including his sister Shuri, warrior Okoye, and love interest Nakia, T’Challa battles for the future of Wakanda and ultimately embraces his role as the Black Panther.

Main Characters

  • T’Challa / Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman): The newly crowned king and protector of Wakanda, grappling with the challenges of leadership.
  • Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan): A Wakandan-American who challenges T’Challa for the throne, seeking to use Wakanda’s resources to empower oppressed Black people worldwide.
  • Shuri (Letitia Wright): T’Challa’s sister and a technological genius responsible for much of Wakanda’s advanced technology.
  • Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o): A Wakandan spy and T’Challa’s love interest, committed to using Wakanda’s resources to help those in need.
  • Okoye (Danai Gurira): The head of the Dora Milaje, Wakanda’s elite female warriors, fiercely loyal to T’Challa and Wakanda.
  • M’Baku (Winston Duke): Leader of the Jabari tribe, initially a rival but later an ally to T’Challa.
  • Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman): A CIA agent who allies with T’Challa and aids in Wakanda’s fight against Killmonger.
  • Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis): An arms dealer with a deep-seated hatred for Wakanda and an interest in its vibranium resources.

Awards and Nominations

Black Panther was groundbreaking not only for its story but also for its recognition by major awards:

Academy Awards (Oscars)
Wins:
  • Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson)
  • Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter)
  • Best Production Design (Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart)
Nominations:
  • Best Picture (first superhero film ever nominated in this category)
  • Best Sound Editing
  • Best Sound Mixing
Golden Globe Awards
Nomination:
  • Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson)
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Win:
  • Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
BAFTA Awards
Nominations:
  • Best Original Music
  • Best Production Design
  • Best Sound
  • Best Special Visual Effects

Production

  • Development: Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios saw the potential in bringing Black Panther to the screen after his initial appearance in Captain America: Civil War (2016). Ryan Coogler, known for Creed and Fruitvale Station, was brought on as director.
  • Casting: Chadwick Boseman was cast as T’Challa after being the standout choice for Feige and the Marvel team. Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Angela Bassett added strength to the ensemble cast.
  • Filming Locations: Principal photography took place in Atlanta, Georgia, and Busan, South Korea, with significant use of visual effects to create the vibrant world of Wakanda.
  • Visual Style and Themes: Coogler emphasized authenticity, consulting African historians and artisans to influence everything from costume design to set pieces, combining Afrofuturism with real African cultural elements.
  • Music: Ludwig Göransson created the score, blending traditional African music with orchestral and hip-hop elements, giving Wakanda a unique musical identity. The soundtrack, produced by Kendrick Lamar, also became iconic, featuring songs inspired by the film.

Significance and Cultural Impact

Black Panther became a landmark in cinema as a major superhero movie with a primarily Black cast, director, and production crew. It shattered stereotypes in Hollywood, became a symbol of African pride and representation, and inspired millions worldwide. With themes of identity, colonialism, and responsibility, Black Panther is celebrated not only as a blockbuster but also as a cultural milestone.

Wakanda Forever

Release Date:

November 11, 2022

Director:

Ryan Coogler

Screenplay:

Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole

Based on:

Black Panther by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Production Companies:

Marvel Studios, distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Budget:

Estimated at $250 million

Box Office Gross:

Over $850 million worldwide

Logline

Following King T’Challa’s death, Wakanda faces new threats from powerful nations and a mysterious underwater kingdom led by Namor, forcing Princess Shuri, Queen Ramonda, and other allies to defend their home while grappling with their grief.

Main Characters

  • Shuri / Black Panther (Letitia Wright): T’Challa’s sister, who steps into a leadership role in her grief-stricken nation and ultimately becomes the new Black Panther.
  • Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett): The mother of T’Challa and Shuri, leading Wakanda with strength and grace through turbulent times.
  • Namor (Tenoch Huerta): The ruler of Talokan, an advanced underwater kingdom. He seeks to protect his people by challenging Wakanda and threatening war against the surface world.
  • Okoye (Danai Gurira): The fierce general of the Dora Milaje, determined to protect Wakanda at any cost.
  • M’Baku (Winston Duke): The leader of the Jabari tribe, who offers wisdom and strength to Wakanda’s leadership.
  • Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o): A former spy and love interest of T’Challa, who returns to Wakanda to support her people during this critical period.
  • Riri Williams / Ironheart (Dominique Thorne): A young engineering prodigy who invents a vibranium-detecting device, inadvertently drawing the attention of Namor.
  • Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman): A CIA agent and friend of Wakanda, who provides assistance and insight into global threats.

Awards and Nominations

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever received critical acclaim and several awards and nominations for its performances, costume design, and score:

Academy Awards (Oscars)
Wins:
  • Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter)
Nominations:
  • Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett)
  • Best Original Song (“Lift Me Up” by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Göransson)
  • Best Makeup and Hairstyling
  • Best Visual Effects
Golden Globe Awards
Win:
  • Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Angela Bassett)
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Nominations:
  • Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Angela Bassett)

Production

Tribute to Chadwick Boseman:

The tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 reshaped the direction of Wakanda Forever. Ryan Coogler and the creative team opted to honor Boseman by incorporating his absence into the story, making it a film about grief, legacy, and the resilience of Wakanda.

Introducing Namor and Talokan:

Inspired by Aztec and Mayan cultures, Talokan is depicted as an ancient underwater civilization, creating a strong cultural foundation for Namor and his people. Tenoch Huerta’s portrayal brings depth to Namor, a complex antihero and protector of his kingdom.

Filming Locations and Design:

Filming took place in various locations, including Atlanta and Puerto Rico. The underwater sequences were a technical feat, creating a visually rich and immersive depiction of Talokan. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter again brought authenticity and creativity to Wakanda’s and Talokan’s attire.

Music:

Ludwig Göransson returned to compose the score, integrating African and Latin American influences to represent both Wakanda and Talokan. The film’s soundtrack, with Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” as a tribute to Boseman, became an emotional highlight.

Significance and Cultural Impact

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is praised for its handling of themes like loss, legacy, and the strength of community. The film’s success underscores the cultural resonance of the Black Panther franchise, highlighting the importance of representation in storytelling. The introduction of Namor and Talokan expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s diversity, bringing Indigenous and Latin American narratives into the spotlight. Wakanda Forever stands as both a tribute to Chadwick Boseman’s legacy and a powerful continuation of the story, celebrating resilience and cultural pride.

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