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More From Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje On Playing "Black Panther"

I posted an article a while ago on Akinnuoye-Agbaje expressing his desire to play Black Panther on the big screen. In an interview with Blackfilm,(via cinematical) the GI Joe star has some more to say on it..
Black Panther is one superhero, I'm sure you would all agree, is long overdue for the movie treatment.

And there is hope that we may see one soon if the talented Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has his way! In an interview with Blackfilm, he revealed that the rights to the character have reverted back to Marvel...

"It's now up for grabs and I'm doing the grabbing. I've always had a passion to play a superhero, and now it appears to be becoming real. We're in talks with Marvel to play one of my favorite superheroes, which is obviously Black Panther. There is truth to that, the fact that we are talking. It would be a boyhood dream to have that materialized. I was at Comic Con this year and the timing for such a character to come to life couldn't be more appropriate. I would love to be the one to wear the suit and go out and represent."



There's no doubt he'd represent very well , and just in case anyone from Marvel is reading, Agbaje would like to stress why he's right pick for the role.

"I'd like to convey an element of him that is real and raw ... I can make this guy real ... I would bring some elements from my culture, which is Nigeria. I'm from an area which is known for its regalty. In fact, my name, Adewale, means the crown has come home, the crown is here. Together, with that rawness, and the regalty because he is an African prince, I would love to bring out the cultural elements of my background to it."

That right there is passion to play a character! Get that man a contract Marvel!
10 Yes
2 No
Rorschach01
8/6/2009
cinematical.com

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83 Comments

Ror is on fire.
SirPrize - 8/6/2009, 5:37 PM
He looks really fat in that pic!
TheAnswer - 8/6/2009, 5:37 PM
Yes i do believe he'd be quite adequate.

*does jazz hands while saying "tchaaaaaaaaahhhhhh"* (in response to Sirprize) :P
Shaman - 8/6/2009, 5:37 PM
You look soooooo mahhhhhvelous when you do jazz hands Shaman.
SirPrize - 8/6/2009, 5:40 PM
IF THEY SCREW UP THE COSTUME I WILL BE SEVERELY PISSED, IN LIVE ACTION, IT WOULD BE PRETTY SICK.
GUNSMITH - 8/6/2009, 5:40 PM
He is the BLACK PANTHER!!! ; )
LEEE777 - 8/6/2009, 5:43 PM
WHAT HAPPENED TO WESLEY SNIPES? IS HE STILL LOCKED UP? THAT WAS THE GUY I WANTED TO SEE PLAY PANTHER
GUNSMITH - 8/6/2009, 5:44 PM
@ Gunsmith. Wesley has been out for a while now. He has some films he is doing. I could see Adewale as BP.
Spock - 8/6/2009, 5:48 PM
should be good - still, theres loads more characters (Dr Strange!) that i would prefer to see before a Black Panther movie! :)
joshw24 - 8/6/2009, 5:49 PM
You would @ JOSH
LEEE777 - 8/6/2009, 5:56 PM
LEE: that coming from someone who thinks that GI Joe is gonna be this summers best film!? Riiiight....
joshw24 - 8/6/2009, 5:59 PM
He would be a great black panther! Better than the wesly snipes rumor
future0fcomixs - 8/6/2009, 6:08 PM
Isnt wesly in a differant country cuz hes illigel? But he would be an awesome pick for black pAnTher!
wyatt1234 - 8/6/2009, 6:10 PM
cool he seems perfect for the role
AvengingAngel1022 - 8/6/2009, 6:10 PM
yeah with a character like Black Panther, you can't just stick someone like wesly snipes. Adewale would actually fit the character culturally, it seems. plus the side-by-side pic of him and panther in this article is pretty convincing to imagine him in the role.
JeremyBentham - 8/6/2009, 6:11 PM
GUNSMITH: I cant see how they could screw up the uniform its HOLLYWOOD BLACK....LOL. Yea that guy would need to really lose an massive amount of wgt. Black Panther puts me more in line with a Spiderman body type .Someone who's muscular,fit,slim,and athletic. I think if they use the same CGI and special effects stick with the source material it should do well.

Couple years ago I'd like to have seen Wesley as the Panther,but now I think he's too old for the part. Lets find a no name out of the theater with gymnastic-dance-fight background and turn him into the BLACK PANTHER.
BLADE4040 - 8/6/2009, 6:18 PM
YA BUT CAN THAT DUDE FIGHT? WESLEY CAN FIGHT,NO QUESTION...CAN THIS GUY FIGHT? HECK HE'S TALL AND BUFF AND HAS THE AFRICAN LOOK BUT I HAVENT SEEN THIS GUY FIGHT, BLACK PANTHER HAS THIS JUNGLE STYLE ADVANCED CAPOEIRA STYLE..I DONT SEE THIS GUY BEING ABLE TO DO THAT..WES CAN
GUNSMITH - 8/6/2009, 6:22 PM
i dont think adewale's physigue will be a problem though. the man is actually quite jacked. i know that in certain angles he looks like he might have a gut or something (@ theanswer haha) but the guy has massive muscle mass. im not sure if he'd be able to do too many stunts, but hey its in a costume that covers him head to foot, throw in a double if you have to! but this guy screams "king of wakanda"
JeremyBentham - 8/6/2009, 6:25 PM
LEE: uh oh, Snipes seems to be quite a popular choice here - make sure you dont suddenly change your mind just to gain popularity! hang on, didnt you do that with Cap..?
joshw24 - 8/6/2009, 6:28 PM
Despite the possible fighting abilities or lack thereof, I think Adewale would rock Black Panther. I loved him on Lost. Djimon Hounsou has always been my first pick, but I would be completely happy with Adewale.
SlaughterHouse - 8/6/2009, 6:29 PM
ultimate avengers 2 was soo damn bad. worse than 1.

and snipes is in jail.
grif - 8/6/2009, 6:32 PM
oh yeah slaughterhouse, i almost forgot about him. he would be a fantastic casting for the character also!!! he's just a great actor
JeremyBentham - 8/6/2009, 6:34 PM
JOSH @ Your an idiot lol! That's what you do lol!!!

Come on peace!!!

SNIPES was my favorite before i saw this guy!!!

This guys born for the role of BLACK PANTHER! Just watch LOST!!!

LEWIS was my fav (an still is sorta/ 1000 TIMES BETTER THAN TACKLES)

But since i saw WORTHINGTON in T4 i thought CAP! Well GL first but i could'nt go on about it coz i did want him for GREEN LANTERN but CAP is perfect for him too! I know a few ppl like SAM as CAP but ive been the one turning ppl to the good side! ; )

You JOSH have joined the LEO crew too, just becoz u heard from brent LEO might be interested in the part!

I actually truly believe WORTHINGTON would blow us away as CAP!

If MARVEL looking for A-LISTER = SAM WORTHINGTON!!!

If MARVEL are looking for a relativly a UNKNOWN it should be JASON LEWIS!!!

ackles for bucky! ; D
LEEE777 - 8/6/2009, 6:39 PM
What is he "representen"?
superdog - 8/6/2009, 6:41 PM
I love them both. They're both awesome actors and both in their early 40's. Adewale is definately heavier than Djimon though lol.
SlaughterHouse - 8/6/2009, 6:41 PM
Knock it off guys before you hijack ANOTHER post!!!!!
superdog - 8/6/2009, 6:42 PM
SEE ADWALE, HE LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THOSE"I'LL BEAT YOU WITH A JAW BONE OF AN ASS" KINDA GUYS...WESLEY IS MY CHOICE,I DONT MIND IF HE'S OLDER, ITS HOLLYWOOD, YOU CAN BE ANY AGE AS LONG AS THERES MAKEUP
GUNSMITH - 8/6/2009, 6:43 PM
Okay @ Supes! ; )
LEEE777 - 8/6/2009, 6:49 PM
I don't think Snipes would be bad... but I would pick Adewale or Djimon over him.
SlaughterHouse - 8/6/2009, 6:50 PM
He would be a great Black Panther.
TheCritic17 - 8/6/2009, 6:51 PM
CRITIC @ Yes he would! ; )
LEEE777 - 8/6/2009, 6:52 PM
This guy would OWN that role. I for one think he should be the one to get it.

And guys, Black Panther is 6 feet tall. It's his powers that allow him to flip around and super leap and all that despite his body type.

So they could have good old Mr. Ekko here play BP and just use special effects when you show him doing his thing. Much like the roof top jumping scenes in Daredevil, except better of course

DarthMulder - 8/6/2009, 6:56 PM
yeah definitely dijmon or adewale for black panther...djimon might be more built for the role but i would love it if either of them get it
JeremyBentham - 8/6/2009, 7:00 PM
Not really my First Choice, But I still like him for the role. I like him as an Actor all together. Maybe now more then before because of his Consistant Passion for wanting to play the role so intently.

If he can get into physical shape it'll work.
NubaX - 8/6/2009, 7:29 PM
I just hope he doesn't go all oz and start rapin people
superdog - 8/6/2009, 7:32 PM
How the hell did that hat stay on Adebisie's head?
Rorschach01 - 8/6/2009, 7:34 PM
All u have to do is watch Lost and see him running through the jungle and talk and jus stand there and his presence and you know hes perfect for the role.

Id really hate to see Wes as the black panther, seriously he should jus stick to blade. Snipes wouldnt be able to pull off the animalistic side that is needed.
Cape - 8/6/2009, 7:46 PM
Amen Brother!

Rorschach01 - 8/6/2009, 8:07 PM
How can this guy say that the Black Panther is his favorite super hero when he said this in a previous interview:

"He's (Black Panther) from a fictional village in Africa..."

If the Black Panther is his favorite superhero then how come he doesn't know that T'Challa is a friggin' KING, not a prince, from a fictional COUNTRY, not a village, in Africa?

I call bullshit. I'm willing to bet he hasn't read a Black Panther comic in his life.

alten2345 - 8/6/2009, 8:11 PM
Could be. He just probably knows the general concept and some minor details. I truly think he just wants to play the only black superhero he has heard of.

Ror@ semen is very sticky man. Put a little on the brim of the hat and instant hat glue.
superdog - 8/6/2009, 8:18 PM
He's not my first choice but I think he'd do a great job...as long as he gets into better shape.

@alten2345 - From the above article that you allegedly read... "We're in talks with Marvel to playing one of my favorite superheroes". Adewale didn't say Black Panther was his all time favorite superhero.

"He's (Black Panther) from a fictional village in Africa..." ...That quote does not prove he doesn't have passion for this role, not to mention Adewale is an actual African from an actual Country. Who really gives a f*** that he referred to a fictional Country as a fictional Village?!
He has passion for the role, he's a good actor and he might get the role...deal with it.
TonyDark - 8/6/2009, 8:38 PM
he would be awesome as BP!!!!
NightAvenger4 - 8/6/2009, 9:18 PM
@TonyDark

Mea culpa on the "one of my favorite super heroes" thing. I just saw "my favorite" so my apologies.

As to the rest of it, I think I have a valid point. Even if the Black Panther is just one of his favorite superheroes, I would think he would know a little more about the origin of the character. That's it. I never claimed it proved he doesn't have passion for the role. And did I ever suggest that he shouldn't be considered for or be given the role based on that? Nope. I was just questioning how big a fan he really is and was calling bullshit on that. No need to get bent over it.

Honestly, the reason I made the point was because the "in" thing to do with Hollywood actors is to claim that comic book characters are "their favorite" when trying to land the role now that comic book movies are the "in" thing in Hollywood. Is that the case with him? I couldn't say. It happens a lot nowadays though.

And If you think I'm against him playing the role, you couldn't be further from the truth. He is a magnificent actor, and I got more than a little choked up when Mr. Eko died on the show. And I'm totally looking forward to seeing him in G.I.Joe this weekend.

I think Adewale would be perfect for the role of T'Challa, or the role of Man-Ape (which I think he could could take to a whole new level of evil), or even T'Challa's father, T'Chaka, if they would go with a younger actor for the role of T'Challa.
alten2345 - 8/6/2009, 9:25 PM
not sure if any one said this already but what about
Djimon Hounsou I mean hes got the look hes got the body for it not to big but not to small he took kung fu and boxing when he was a kid I think he would be a great pick


kyle12688 - 8/6/2009, 9:33 PM
Kyle@ yeah it's been said. It's pretty much down to those as a consensus for who should get the role.

Alten@ hmmmmm who could u be referring to? Does his name rhyme with bryan breynolds?
superdog - 8/6/2009, 9:42 PM
hey SIRPRIZE @ me 2 from oklahoma still live here where you live in oklahoma
gambitfreak - 8/6/2009, 11:23 PM
Adewale would be great as Black Panther. Djimon would've been perfect when he was younger but he is older than Adewale and has gray in his beard now.

Adewale was really ripped for "Oz" and "Doom" and not so much for "Lost". He played a pretty good athletic ripped badass soldier in "Doom"

I was one of those that wanted Wesley for the part when he was younger but I'm afraid he's too old now.

They had mentioned Chiwetel Ejiofor from "Serenity" and "Red Belt" (Yes, I was one of the 10 people who watched both those movies). In "Red Belt" he played a martial arts instructor and fighter and he had some really great moves in there and also for "Serenity".

But I think Adewale would be pretty fantastic in the part.
DDD - 8/7/2009, 2:33 AM
i would put money on it that none of the guys mentioned in this post will get the role of BP, they are too old. Marvel will want someone younger. They wont want to cast someone as BP and then have to recast it for a second movie cos they've aged to much. it sounds harsh but it is true. They would more than likely go with a coming of age story, with his father dying and him taking the mantle of the Panther, so they would be looking for someone in their late 20's - early 30's, just to be on the safe side. For me i would be happier with an underated or unknown actor for the part.

@ DDD - dont worry dude i watched those movies to and i thought they were good.
theFACE - 8/7/2009, 3:25 AM
I dont think this guy is right...nore B movie snipes either :)
teabag - 8/7/2009, 5:01 AM
WOW! Ror how did I not see this??? Triple A is the man! I definitely see him playing T'Challa the Black Panther. He is a great actor. Those of you who only know him as Mr. Eko on Lost and haven't seen him play the evil inmate Adebisi on HBO's prison series Oz, you are in for a surprise. The dude has acting chops. He could easily slim down a bit for the role and become Wakanda's King.
icebergslick - 8/7/2009, 6:34 AM
no wesley snipes for black panther. i would like to see djimon honshou (or however you spell his name). but this guy looks like he would be just as good...him or brad pitt...joking...or am i???
CorndogBurglar - 8/7/2009, 6:37 AM
Did someone say brad pitt...wow that gives me an excuse to pimp my Cap casting pic....wahooooooo




HEHEHE
teabag - 8/7/2009, 6:41 AM
not bad tea. i would have faced ackles mouth towards the huge bulging package so both him AND lewis could have been there, just like theyve been together on EVERY POST ON THIS SITE FOR 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!
superdog - 8/7/2009, 6:57 AM
Superdog@ i hear ya but Havent you heard...LEEE's abandoned poor Lewis for Worthington :P
teabag - 8/7/2009, 6:59 AM
yeah thats true. but he still loves lewis. hes just now in the closet about it :)
superdog - 8/7/2009, 8:11 AM
Awesome pic Teabag!
Rorschach01 - 8/7/2009, 8:17 AM
Oh yeah Mr Eko could play Black Panther. I think he would do a good job (better than G.I. CGI overload!) And the Smoke Monster could be the villain! But he turns into T'Chaka instead of Mr Eko's brother.

Black Panther: "I ask for no forgiveness, father, for I have not sinned. I have only done what I needed to do to survive. A small boy once asked me if I was a bad man. If I could answer him now, I would tell him that when I was a young boy, I attempted to kill a man to avenge my father's life. I am not sorry for this. I am proud of this. I did not ask for the life I was given, but it was given nonetheless, and with it, I did my best.

T'Chaka: (Smokey in T'Chaka's form) You speak to me as if I was your father.
dancingmonkey08 - 8/7/2009, 8:36 AM
Thanks ROR :)
teabag - 8/7/2009, 8:36 AM
superdog@ yeah teabag is right, LEEE is walking out by the politial correct door by saying "well if they go for an unknown, Lewis is the choice, but Worthington is the better Cap bla bla" lol!

Anyway, i say they should go WITH A WHITE GUY FOR BLACK PANTHER. times have changed, people!
SirJediFrank - 8/7/2009, 9:19 AM
In regards to whether Adewale can fight or not, people train for movie roles all the time without having any training prior to the flick. This dude has the proper size/build to totally pull this off, not to mention the fact that he is a really good actor with strong ties to his African roots to be able to give the character some serious believability.
MatchesMalone - 8/7/2009, 10:17 AM
well i was openly trying to bring the racist fun that these threads have from time to time, since the NFury-SLJ thing came along, but seems like nobody came along with me! lol! :-]
--

Of course this guy is perfect for the role. Some say that not just because an actor "wants" to play a role that automatically means they will do a good job, but in this case, i think he would be great! in fact, since he said he was in talks in the ComicCon (or at least that is what i understood), chances are good.
SirJediFrank - 8/7/2009, 10:34 AM
yo give it to my fellow Nigerian brother marvel. it would be amazing, there is a large interest in the comic book world in Nigeria and marvel should get the love of the most populated black nation in the world. who knows maybe shoot there too, budget cost is literally tax free lol every Nigerian would go to the theaters the day it pops out on the big screen. that's a lot of money marvel.
oh btw alten grow the [frick] up.
Misterfan - 8/7/2009, 10:53 AM
Bruce Willis = Nick Fury! ; D


FRANK @ Butt, its true lol.


Again, perfect BLACK PANTHER, EKO'S the man!!!
LEEE777 - 8/7/2009, 11:01 AM
Adewale? everyone says Djimon Hounsen has gray in his beard(just for men can solve that) or he's too old now ...Adewale looks as old as Snipes and Hounson. Atleast Hounson and Snipes if they're older looks way better for the part... their both fit,athletic,and has done the hero thing a time or two.

Adewale I dont know much about this guy only that he usually looks like he's had one too many FRIED whatever it is he's eating....LOL. BLACK PANTHER is suppose to be Wakanda's protector this guy looks more like a chief than a warrior. Does this guy even fight I know Wesley and Djimon does. So with those two that'll be one thing you wont need CGI or stunt doubles for.
BLADE4040 - 8/7/2009, 11:37 AM
LEE@ the Sam-issue? yes it is!! I remember i said baaaack in that thread, that i would piss my ass off if, for example, they did it backwards, i mean, if they announce a freakin´ white actor for the Black Panther role!!

It is not about races, but faces! lol!
SirJediFrank - 8/7/2009, 11:42 AM
this guy would be an amazing Black Panther!
Frogman - 8/7/2009, 12:26 PM
BLADE4040-

Adewale may look a lil chubby at the moment, but don't get it twisted, the dude is a beast. He only got that belly recently while filming LOST. (Same thing would happen to you and me if you were laying on a Hawaiian beach for months at a time!)

Seriously, watch OZ! He exudes so much PRESENCE that it's scary. The whole time that show was on, he was a scene stealer.

He absolutely could pull of playing a King for a movie or two, then they could pass the torch to a younger actor playing his son.....that would be awesome.
Talontd - 8/7/2009, 2:38 PM
i just saw him in joe and he has no belly. slim and trim kicking ass. he would scare the shit out of me if he jumped out of the jungle at me.....i would be afraid hed rape me
superdog - 8/7/2009, 2:44 PM
ya for real this movie is gonna kick ass but i dont understand some things that you said alten dont you have to be a prince to become a king(unless you get lucky) and arent there villages in a country why are you bein such a stickler to like a superhero you dont have to know every single nuthair they have and proper wording for where they came from
SabretoothTiger - 8/7/2009, 2:48 PM

Eko Adebisi for Black Panther sounds right.
BillyBlack - 8/7/2009, 3:41 PM
Talontd: Actually I laid around Hawaii beaches for years and I was in the best shape of my life. I've seen the guy in OZ.... he looks average to me he just doesnt look the part . I just think Hounson or Snipes are better suited for the role...they both have a fight background and they're the idea size. You dont want someone who's too big, because the Panther is built for speed,agility,and then strenght.

I could be wrong only time will tell. Its nice having these debates about who we like and dont like for certain parts. Whoever they decide to cast I just hope everyone does their homework and they knock this out the park like....IRON-MAN,DARK KNIGHT,SPIDEY 1 ,BLADE TRILOGY,AND HULK 2.
BLADE4040 - 8/7/2009, 4:16 PM
at least its not a frigen captain america debate!!!
superdog - 8/7/2009, 4:26 PM
looks like a lot of you want Adewale cuz in OZ he was big and buff but Black Panther isn't bulky hes lean and
athletic the way Hounson is
kyle12688 - 8/7/2009, 5:46 PM
kyle12688-What the Black Panther looks like really just depends on how the artists draw him. Have you seen the picture at the top of this article?;) I would much rather see a quality actor get the part rather than somebody that just looks the part. Not sayin that Hounsou isnt a good actor, I'm just a little more familiar with Adawale's work.
MatchesMalone - 8/8/2009, 9:50 AM
BLADE4040-

Tru that. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.


KYLE12688-

That's true, but seriously (and this is just my opinion), I think this dude would take an IMMENSE AMOUNT OF PRIDE in this role. And over the course of the 3mths that he'll have to prepare, i think he could get in whatever shape he needed too.

Black Panther is the only mainstream Super Hero (other than Storm) to come from that country......there is something special in that.


Of course that's not to say that Hounson wouldn't feel the same way.....so I guess we'll have to wait and see, i personally would be cool with either!
Talontd - 8/8/2009, 9:53 AM
BLADE4040-

Tru that. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.


KYLE12688-

That's true, but seriously (and this is just my opinion), I think this dude would take an IMMENSE AMOUNT OF PRIDE in this role. And over the course of the 3mths that he'll have to prepare, i think he could get in whatever shape he needed too.

Black Panther is the only mainstream Super Hero (other than Storm) to come from that country......there is something special in that.


Of course that's not to say that Hounson wouldn't feel the same way.....so I guess we'll have to wait and see, i personally would be cool with either!
Talontd - 8/8/2009, 9:54 AM
I think he would be a perfect choice for the role.
Bandrews1 - 8/8/2009, 1:55 PM
WATCHED GI JOE YESTERDAY..SAW HIS PREFORMANCE..HE DIDNT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD SELL ME TO MAKE HIM PANTHER.HE ONLY HAS THE LOOK...THATS ALL.
GUNSMITH - 8/8/2009, 3:36 PM
Gunsmith, nobody in that movie did anything to sell themselves for doing anything..ever again! Except maybe an infomercial. You need to watch him in something that the cast actually care enough about to give a performance in..like Lost, or Oz
Rorschach01 - 8/9/2009, 8:35 AM
Yes.
bhfireman - 8/11/2009, 5:05 PM
Micheal Jai White For Black panther
shahrazstate - 8/11/2009, 11:23 PM
OM [frick]ing G! That guy is perfect, Rorschach! IDK man. b/c i still hear rumors that Snipes might play him, but I hope not. b/c A. He's already Blade! and B. He's needs to worry about the feds catching him for tax evaision. lol

Hopefully, both of my dreams will come true. For the longest time, I've been praying and begging that that Djimon Hounsou plays T'Challa. But instead, He's going to, or might voice Black Panther in that BET cartoon I keep hearing about. So, that's one down and one to go, right? lol. I would LOVE to see this guy play him. I like everything he does. I've seen him in Mummy Returns, Get Rich Or Die Trying, and G.I. Joe. He is a [frick]ING BADASS! Hell, he was even a badass when he had that bit part in Ace Ventura 2! lol. Wasn't he on that HBO show, OZ too? I never saw that show, but I've heard good things about it. This is gonna be the Iron Man casting all over again. lol.
ThereCanBOnly1 - 9/9/2009, 9:45 PM
i completely disagree with this...this man probably knows nothing of the character, his agents tell him what to say to appeal to your average comic book nerd. i LOVE comic books and i too like a few others i've seen am calling bullshit. djimon honsou needs to play black panther, his VOICE sounds like what you would imagine Panthers would sound like, he has the perfect build. and i think he would look fantastic on screen as the black panther
xxberzerkerxx - 9/10/2009, 12:48 AM

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