Black Panther Is A 'Cross Between The Godfather and James Bond'

Posted 2017-07-18 10:56:38 104 Comments ()

Executive producer Nate Moore promising Black Panther will pay tribute to two classic franchises, the James Bond franchise and The Godfather.

 

Black Panther is the 18th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the franchise's first superhero movie with a black lead has a vibe all its own. Specifically, producer Nate Moore told Entertainment Weekly:

“What I think we landed on was sort of a cross between James Bond and The Godfather. A big, operatic family drama centered 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. Director 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".

To showcase that drama the story featured a royal family photo with most of the cast.

King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) stands front and center, dressed in his Vibranium Black Panther suit. He’s joined by his mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett); Wakanda’s undercover operative Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o); his younger sister Shuri (Letitia Wright); head of the Dora Milaje, Okoye (Danai Gurira); the film’s central villain Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan); T’Challa’s best friend and head of security for the Border Tribe,W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya); and longtime advisor to T’Challa’s father, the shaman Zuri (Forest Whitaker).

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige discussed how this film will surprise fans and show them something new.

“I don’t think people are prepared for what this movie is going to be,” said Feige. “Not just Black Panther, but the Dora Milaje, and Killmonger, and the entire design of Wakanda – both its traditional African-inspired elements, but also the Vibranium inspired techno-elements. I can’t think of a blend that has happened like that before in movies.”

More information about the movie is expected to be released at San Diego Comic-Con, which runs from July 20 through 23. Black Panther will be released on Feb. 16, 2018.