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Marvel, For Your Consideration: Gbenga Akinnagbe For T'Challa In The BLACK PANTHER

Including a quote from the Nigerian-American actor on the possibility, hit the jump and check out another potential T'Challa candidate in Gbenga Akinnagbe for The Black Panther movie!

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By DCMarvelFreshman - 8/26/2012
Prior to all the hype surrounding the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Marvel's second outing in 2014 was heavily rumored to finally adapt T'Challa, The Black Panther to the big-screen. While that's no longer happening, more discouraging news came when Marvel's co-president suggested that the potential film would be “a little more difficult,” due to the character's homeland being Wakanda, a fictional resource-rich nation in Africa.

Despite all the discouraging news, there have been favorable hints towards the Wakandian king's existence within the Marvel cinematic universe, in previous films. Plus, notorious documentary screenwriter Mark Bailey was hired to pen the film's story in early January last year. Therefore, after The Avengers sequel possibly wraps up “Phase 2” in 2015, that's likely when we'll see The Black Panther grace the silver-screen.



And when the film does eventually get the green-light, another relatively renowned actor to consider for the leading role has emerged. Last year, in the wake of the screenwriter being attached, a Twitter campaign ignited for actor Gbenga Akinnagbe. And when BET.com notified the actor of the random campaign, he responded:

“I used to be [a comic book fan] moreso when I had more time. All I do now is work. Yeah, there's this campaign to get me to be the Black Panther [the Marvel comics superhero]. It's really humbling and I'm honored by it. It's wild that people are really into it. I love comic books, I love action, I'm a pretty active person. I was a wrestler for a great deal of my life. And to play the Black Panther? Get out of here! He comes from Africa. He comes from the most technologically advanced city in the world. It's easy for me to do the math.”

For those who don't know, Gbenga Akinnagbe, 33, is best known for his roles in the Oscar-nominated independent film The Savages, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Edge of Darkness, and of course HBO series The Wire. And born in the United States to Nigerian parents, Akinnagbe has set out to show how versatile he is, having comedic roles in Lottery Ticket, and the TV series Nurse Jackie and Showtime's Barbershop.

Considering Marvel has already nabbed Anthony Mackie and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje for different roles, who've also expressed interest in The Black Panther, I do think Gbenga Akinnagbe would fill T'Challa greatly. While we have a long wait before legit news makes rounds for the potential film, what do you think?


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TheTaskmaster - 8/26/2012, 11:52 PM
I would have no problems with him playing BP
Joker08 - 8/26/2012, 11:53 PM
He'd be a great T'Challa. Now all Marvel has to do is grow a pair and make the fvckin thing.
marvelstudios - 8/27/2012, 12:01 AM
I have to say his probably the best candidate i've seen for the role of BP. I'm all for him being BP. But he should probably bulk up a bit.
Equivocal - 8/27/2012, 12:12 AM
he seems like the RIGHT choice, for now.

will they do a movie at all ?

I like this character but with GotG, TA2, Thor, CA:WS, IM3 and having DD back in da house;

what are the chances for Black Panther making a debut on the silver screen ????

hopefully soon !
SunSp0t - 8/27/2012, 12:20 AM
Marvel just please pick somebody for the role and make this film already!!!
nailbiter111 - 8/27/2012, 12:33 AM
StormLoganSummers - 8/27/2012, 12:42 AM
He looks good to me.
gaikinger - 8/27/2012, 12:44 AM
um....who?
gaikinger - 8/27/2012, 12:44 AM
straight to dvd we go!
gaikinger - 8/27/2012, 12:45 AM
boring character
SageMode - 8/27/2012, 12:47 AM
I still say Aldis Hodge
OtakuPapi - 8/27/2012, 12:50 AM
Not at all
Tao1 - 8/27/2012, 12:50 AM
i just want the movie to be at least in developments
dracula - 8/27/2012, 1:07 AM
hed be good but i would profer the guy from amustad or the guy from salt and 2012
216manofsteele - 8/27/2012, 1:38 AM
I would love a black panther movie I think I know the real problem with making a Black Panther movie ! the Title there is a militant african american group of the same name and people will get it confused (unless Marvel/Disney does a hell of a lot of promoting) 2 America isnt ready for an all african american cast in any movie especially if they had a "White" villian this country just aint ready for an all black ensomble cast you that live outside the States should hear and see some of the things our President has to go through
Jolt17 - 8/27/2012, 1:55 AM
He's fairly an unknown, and I like that. He looks fitting, too, so...him, or Aldis Hodge, for me. I was actually reminded of Jimmy Jean-Louis (The Haitian from Heroes) in the past few days, too, and I think he might work, too. (Maybe as T'Chaka, though.)
AbeVigoda - 8/27/2012, 2:00 AM
Hopefully Marvel updates the character and uses a white actor, much like they altered the character of Heimdall in Thor
jazzman - 8/27/2012, 2:41 AM
Gbenga Akinnagbe, Aldis Hodge are top of the list for the role

@216manofsteele

America aint ready, but yet Slumdog millionaire had a all Indian cast and won a Oscar lol. who cares about militant african american group they dont own the rights to a name of an actually animal lol. their are ways around the name issue they can call the movie Black Panther: Panther's Prey. Captain America had issues also with the name Marvel felt some countries wouldnt accept a character name Captain America wont work. so some countries called the movie just The First Avenger.
HulkGrin - 8/27/2012, 2:44 AM
DCMarvelFreshman - 8/27/2012, 2:50 AM
Even though I'm sure they're approaching BP like all the other yet-to-be-announced movies (Doctor Strange, Iron Fist), I do think Marvel sorta has has cold feet, because of how different it'll be over their other films.

While I am looking forward to GOTG very much, I would prefer to see Panther made before they go too cosmic. BP having a release date near the Captain America sequel would've been great!
marvelmaniaco - 8/27/2012, 2:55 AM
I have no problem with him as black panther, he seems like he can play a tough, never back down type of guy, I hope this movie is in phase 3 because wakanda will be such a great place on movie, tribe land mixed with technology, I hope Djimon plays t'chaka!!
LaputaHeir - 8/27/2012, 3:08 AM
This just let's me know that there's such a huge unseen (seemingly deliberately so) pool of talented non-White actors within Hollywood that could utilized.

I totally have no problem with him playing BP. He was amazing in The Wire.
TheSoulEater - 8/27/2012, 3:39 AM
Okay, just confirm something
AlexDeLarge87 - 8/27/2012, 4:34 AM
Now thats the spirit. Unknown actor is the best choice for Black Panther. I could see this guy in the role. Aldis Hodge would be great too.
The movie can work. It just needs to be made in the right way. :)

Djimon definitely needs to be T´Challa´s father.
Henry Simmons could be cool Erik Killmonger, Michael Clarke Duncan Man-Ape and Iain Glen, Mads Mikkelsen or Daniel Craig Ulysses Klaw.
JohnTom88 - 8/27/2012, 5:04 AM
Black Panther "issues" are two-fold:

a) Resurgent Black Panther (the party) news

b) Wakanda, a highly advanced isolationist nation made up by a single culture. A very advanced iron curtain nation is out of this world fabrication, because isolationism only means science retardation in the real world. Check out North Korea, Japan before Admiral Perry barged in and China before WW1.

I believe (a) is the biggest cause why Marvel is delaying Black Panther, (b) is just an accessory.
jazzman - 8/27/2012, 5:06 AM
@ELgUaSoN

awwwww LOL
MarvelSpidey - 8/27/2012, 5:22 AM
I think he'll pull it off
bigshow2312 - 8/27/2012, 5:27 AM
I swear I had this guy on my BPanther watch list
VIRILEMAN - 8/27/2012, 5:45 AM
That's actually a really good choice. I'd want Djimon Hounsou to play his father.
Ha1frican - 8/27/2012, 5:50 AM
I like this guy over Aldis Hodge or Michae Jai white for some reason. Djimon Hounsou for T'Chaka IMO. I think they should do something similar to Hawkeye and intro him in a movie, BUT i think they could go an interesting way with it andhave him work against the Avengers and then at the end reveal that he needs their help like in the cartoon, and then go int a SHIELD and BP team up to take back wakanda film. It would ground Wakanda with established groundedcharacters and providebackstory on Hawkeye and/or Black Widow (assuming they dont go that route in Cap 2)
Super12 - 8/27/2012, 5:51 AM
Stamp of approval.
Ha1frican - 8/27/2012, 5:51 AM
To be claer i meant work against them in an attempt to evaluate them
soberchimera - 8/27/2012, 5:53 AM
When did CBM stop posting actual news? I mean seriously all I ever see on the main nowadays is editorials, its getting frickin ridiculous. If there was actual news on the Black Panther movie then fine, but posting which actor you want to play him is NOT newsworthy. Just my two cents.
chikeizelcav - 8/27/2012, 5:56 AM
NAIJA!! This guy is perfect. He is a Nigerian. NO AMERICAN OR BRITISH ACTORS SHOULD PLAY BLACK PANTHER. We need to keep it AFRICAN so the accent comes out right plus this guy is a great actor
JerseyJoker - 8/27/2012, 5:56 AM
Looks like Sammy Sosa before he turned white.
6of13 - 8/27/2012, 6:04 AM
Seriously, Marvel's co-president thinks that Wakanda being a fictional resource rich nation in Africa is the biggest problem in making the film? That is just ridiculous. Asgard is fictional. Krytpon is fictional. Yet, somehow that did not deter Thor and Man of Steel from being made. Film the movie here in South Africa, a resource rich nation in Africa.
jazzman - 8/27/2012, 6:07 AM
@chikeizelcav

your comment is so stupid its f**king funny. Gbenga Akinnagbe is a American he was born in Washington, D.C not Africa his parents are from Nigeria. He is the first in his family to be born in the U.S.

so how can u say NO AMERICAN OR BRITISH ACTORS SHOULD PLAY BLACK PANTHER that sounds too silly.
6of13 - 8/27/2012, 6:08 AM
*Krypton
BANEofExistence - 8/27/2012, 6:11 AM
r u kidding me? Krypton is fictional, Asgard and allhis worlds are fictional, guardian od the Galaxy!!!! How is Wakanda to obscure? Bull shit excuse... FANS WANT BLACK PANTHER!!!
StrangerX - 8/27/2012, 6:16 AM
Yea I was watching The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 yesterday, and thought he would be an ok choice. The only problem is we wont see BP until Phase 3 most likely
Fogs - 8/27/2012, 6:33 AM
Black Panther is an awesome character. Would be very nice to see some more diversity on the MCU.
chikeizelcav - 8/27/2012, 6:51 AM
@jazzman i mean actors who are not from africa or do not have an african family. ppl like jamie foxx or aldis hodge are great actors but they dont know or acknowledge their african heritage. i want a straight up african with an accent. nigerian or not. i myself too a a Nigerian American born in the US. chikeizzel (chike) its a nigerian name. Wale the rapper is a D.C. born nigerian bu doesnt show the accent like Gbenga can. adewale akinnuoye-agbaje who just got cast in thor 2 is also a bristish nigerian who can pull the accent . thats what i meant. just like how black widow and colossus should have been played by real russians with accents in the movies
KingLing - 8/27/2012, 6:51 AM
I was hoping for Black Panther earlier, but this guy seems like an awesome choice.
Robert - 8/27/2012, 6:53 AM
Marvel executives need to stop the excuses. George Lucas has been making fictional PLANETS since 1977. Make the F-ing movie already.
jazzman - 8/27/2012, 6:55 AM
@chikeizelcav

well its Hollywood they never cast the a actor from the same nationality. plus if they do cast a American actor he has to learn African accent or African heritage.
chikeizelcav - 8/27/2012, 7:02 AM
@jazzman yeah i kno plus marvel always gets their casting right. im sure whoever they get it will be great african or not. its just a big deal to nigerians when a nigerian gets big recognition bcuz our country is not well known and i would like to see this guy get the part.
KaneVonDoom - 8/27/2012, 7:25 AM
I can't see them doing a Black Panther standalone film quite yet. I would be stoked to see them introduce him in Cap 2 or Antman with connection to Klaw. But I do like this actor for the role.

And when they do make the Black Panther movie, Djimon Hounsou would totally work as his dad.
13echo - 8/27/2012, 7:43 AM
" a little more difficult" is a piss poor excuse for not going forward with the movie. It was not "a little more difficult to recreate asgard or the rainbow bridge. I remember reports stating that the whole captain america story would not do so well outside of the U.S. market, was not difficult to move forward with that movie. Poor excuse for not backing a great character.
lukeCage2012 - 8/27/2012, 7:53 AM
I think he would be a pretty good BP. I saw this guy for the first time in The Wire and he was pretty good. He played the bodygroud to the main drug lord in the last couple of seasons. The part I remember the best was when he beat this dude to death with his gun cuz he was molesting some kid.
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