SDCC: 'Black Panther' Debuts Star-Studded Cast at Comic-Con

When rumors began to hit the internet about who is possibly joining Chadwick Boseman in Marvel's 'Black Panther' film, the joke online was when asked by the studio how many popular A-list black actors he wanted, director Ryan Coogler's response was "all of them." After Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentations at Comic-Con Saturday night, it looks like those rumors were right as it was confirmed that Creed's Michael B. Jordan, Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o, and The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira have been cast. 

It’s official. #BlackPanther #SDCC2016 pic.twitter.com/0Cs3kkZldQ

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) July 24, 2016

Boseman reprises his role as King T'Challa of the fictional African nation of Wakanda from his debut in this year's 'Captain America: Civil War.' Jordan will play the villain Erik Killmonger whose family was exiled by T'Challa's father and sought revenge according to the comics. Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira will play members of Wakanda's elite security force, the Dora Milaje. In the comics, Nyong'o's Nakia becomes an adversary of T'Challa after her romantic intentions aren't returned.

Coogler addressed the importance of representation in this era of comic book movies. 

"The superhero field is a field where there’s not a lot of representation," the filmmaker told EW. "It’s traditionally white male, but the fans look like the world. So, naturally, people are going to yearn to see someone flying around doing these incredible things that looks like them. It’s an incredible opportunity, but that’s what keeps me up at night – for better and for worse."

Black Panther is scheduled to arrive in theaters July 6, 2018. Watch EW’s full interview with Coogler and the cast in the video below.