Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Black Panther will be a 'cross between James Bond and The Godfather'

'A big, operatic family drama centred on a world of international espionage. So hopefully we're getting the best of both worlds'

Clarisse Loughrey
Wednesday 12 July 2017 15:49 BST
Comments
Black Panther Teaser Trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Black Panther's first trailer was an internet-breaker, for sure.

Between its stellar director (Ryan Coogler) and stellar cast (Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Angela Bassett), the Marvel film is riding on some insane hype, and it's clear the studio has some high hopes for the film's success down the line.

The film will drop us straight into the centre of Wakanda, an African nation possessing incredible technology but which hides itself from the outside world, and whose new king T'Challa (AKA the Black Panther) finds his sovereignty threatened by two enemies conspiring to bring the entire kingdom down.

An epic plot that executive producer Nate Moore has teased to Entertainment Weekly as "a cross between James Bond and The Godfather", adding that it's, "A big, operatic family drama centred on a world of international espionage. So hopefully we're getting the best of both worlds."

The Godfather references, of course, lie within the tensions surrounding the Wakandan royal family. Ryan Coogler says the film sees T'Challa attempting to, "keep harmony between the tribes within his country, and that means managing expectations and doing things that are unpopular. At the same time, he is the protector of that nation."


The Bond elements will come partially in the form of Lupita Nyong'o's Nakia, Wakanda's undercover operative and a former lover of T'Challa's, described by Nyong'o herself as something of "a war dog".

Black Panther hits UK cinemas 16 February 2018.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in