L-R: Director Ryan Coogler, actors Danai Gurira, Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan from Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther”; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney(SAN DIEGO, Calif.) — Marvel’s Black Panther cast was unveiled over the weekend during Comic-Con in San Diego.
We already knew Chadwick Boseman will play the titular character. On Saturday, the studio confirmed that Michael B. Jordan will co-star as Erik Killmonger; Lupita Nyong’o will portray Nakia; and The Walking Dead‘s Danai Gurira will fill the role of Okoye.
Jordan told ABC Radio “it’s about time” that there’s a comic book movie with a black cast and black director — his Creed director, Ryan Coogler.
“I feel really optimistic about it and I’m really proud to be a part of it,” he added.
Jordan further commented on how a movie like this one can help heal the racial tensions the country is experiencing right now.
“I think whenever you’re able to tell stories from different perspectives that people might have a stereotypical point of view on and you’re able to shine a light on it in a creative way, I think that always helps,” he said.
Nyong’o pointed out that Marvel has a “rich and diverse universe,” and its films are “embracing that diversity.”
Black Panther will arrive in theaters in 2018.
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