How Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ Can Change the Movies

[RandySF]

With Black Panther, we have a character who isn’t BFFs with any of the pre-chosen Avengers and whose motivations and backstory exists independently of his entanglements with them. He enters Civil War with ready-made drama and gravitas, and he maneuvers in the film shrouded in a sort of mystery. Sam and Rhodey are affable “regular guys,” but there is nothing “regular” about T’Challa. He is a genius with a mythical birthright and the ruler of a kingdom. And his allegiances are only to his people and his history. With a character so firmly connected and rooted in his cultural identity, he could become a transcendent pop culture figure in mainstream films. Even Ta-Nehisi Coates’ limited series comic book run of Black Panther has been selling out left and right.

There have been less-than-stellar examples of studios pushing superhero movies with black stars. Halle Berry’s 2005 vehicle Catwoman was a box office disaster that was more of a tossed-off action flick than a major studio blockbuster even before it was infamously ignored by audiences. Michael B. Jordan’s turn as The Human Torch in 2015’s massive flop Fantastic Four didn’t do much to raise the profile of black superheroes; it will be remembered more for the controversy surrounding his casting. The powers-that-be in Hollywood should be warned against using these famously failed projects as reason to continue centering white superheroes; there’s far more evidence that audiences are eager for more varied presentations given the current cultural climate.

The backlash against films like Ghost In the Shell and Gods of Egypt has been loud and, in the case of Gods, directly affected its bottom line. Add to that the conversation sparked by #OscarsSoWhite and you have a brewing pop culture shift. If Hollywood is paying attention, it has already recognized that audiences are savvy enough and vocal enough to make an impression on how an upcoming film will be received—and “all white everything” is no longer a viable option.


http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/13/how-marvel-s-black-panther-can-change-the-movies.html

[JCMach1]

1. Plus it helps BP is a total badass!

[Initech]

2. I saw Civil War yesterday. Amazing movie.

And Chadwick Baseman steals the show as Black Panther. Wow I can't wait for that movie.

[Orrex]

3. He was excellent in Civil War

Beyond the ass-kicking and the dynamic screen presence, in T'Challa's climactic moment he demonstrates wisdom and integrity of character that's simply alien to Tony and Steve.

I was skeptical about his introduction, fearing that he'd be shoehorned into the story (and the MCU at large), but he hits the ground running (sprinting!) and is completely credible from start to finish.

Looking forward to his solo film!

[NWCorona]

4. Agreed! And from what was shown stayed true to the comics

I was curious how he would be portrayed as he's in many ways stronger than the rest and his tech is stronger than Starks.

The best part was in the end he was on team Captain America.

[GOLGO 13]

5. I agree with the article.

Blade was a surprising success because Snipes was perfectly cast for the role.

Marvel has been well, marvelous in its handling of the MCU. They have been methodical with their planning and forward thinking in their few risks (GOTG & Ant-Man).

I see BP as being a big break-out star in the MCU. If they keep up the consistent upgrading of their movie/plot lines, I can easily see an eventual "Illuminati" movie with a few tweaks for Mr. Fantastic/Namor/Professor X.

[Taitertots]

6. All monarchies are inherently evil. He should have been elected or a bad guy.

He is the perfect alagory for western involvement with Africa. Prop up a murderous dictator because he shares mutual goals with western powers.