The first official Black Panther teaser trailer has released online, and it has left fans excited to say the least. Now that we have had our first look at footage from the film, it’s time to learn a bit more about the people surrounding Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa. Speaking to EW, director Ryan Coogler has offered some details on Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker’s character Zuri in the upcoming Marvel movie:
“He’s somewhat a religious figure or spiritual figure. Spirituality is something that exists in Wakanda in the comics, and it’s something we wanted to have elements of in the film. Forest’s character, more than anything, is a major tie-back to T’Challa’s father. Zuri is someone he looks to for guidance.”
People have drawn parallels between Zuri, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, but perhaps an equally apt comparison would be that of Alfred Pennyworth. After all, Black Panther shares more than a few similarities to Bruce Wayne, and his alter ego. Also, Alfred is Bruce’s only connection to his past life, serves as a surrogate father, and is someone that he looks to for guidance. It will be interesting to see how this relationship ultimately plays out on screen.
After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
Black Panther sees Ryan Coogler (Creed) directing Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa alongside Lupita Nyong’o (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) as Nakia, Michael B. Jordan (Fantastic Four) as Erik Killmonger, Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead) as Okoye, Winston Duke (Person of Interest) as M’Baku, Forest Whitaker (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) as Zuri, Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) as W’Kabi, Angela Bassett (American Horror Story) as Ramonda, Florence Kasumba (Captain America: Civil War) as Ayo, Martin Freeman (Captain America: Civil War) as Everett Ross, Andy Serkis (Captain America: Civil War) as Ulysses Klaue and Letitia Wright (Ready Player One) as Shuri. The film is set for release on February 16th, 2018.
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Originally published June 10, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
