Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER Screenwriter Talks “Historic Opportunity,” Wakanda, And More

Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER Screenwriter Talks “Historic Opportunity,” Wakanda, And More

Hit the jump to find out how Marvel will go about bringing Wakanda to life both scientifically and historically, among other things Black Panther-related, from screenwriter Joe Robert Cole

By DCMarvelFreshman - Feb 16, 2016 07:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Black Panther
Source: Mother Jones
Exactly two years from today, Marvel Studios will finally release the Black Panther movie in theaters with Creed director Ryan Coogler at the helm, and star Chadwick Boseman returning as the titular prince after he debuts this summer in Captain America: Civil War. The 2018 adaptation has been dubbed a “big geopolitical action adventure,” per producer Kevin Feige, but we now have some great insight from the screenwriter, Joe Robert Cole.
 
“Having gone through the [Marvel] writer program, I knew Black Panther was in the pipeline and I knew they were big fans of my writing,” said Cole when Mother Jones asked how the gig came about. “But I had to compete with the other writers who were put up for it—no one hands out jobs. [The writing program] familiarized Marvel with my work and with me as a person. Being able to interact with Kevin Feige and have him know who I am and know me as a person, and be able to then sit down and have a conversation about story with someone who's familiar and comfortable is invaluable.” About writing a black superhero in his own movie, Cole explained, “Black Panther is a historic opportunity to be a part of something important and special, particularly at a time when African Americans are affirming their identities while dealing with vilification and dehumanization. The image of a black hero on this scale is just really exciting. When I was a kid, I would change superheroes' names: Instead of James Bond, I was James Black. Instead of Batman, I was Blackman. And I have a three-year-old son. My son will be five when Black Panther comes out. That puts it all into perspective for me.”
 
When asked about the themes that he wants Black Panther to explore, and whether or not that would include the history and the myths of the African continent, Joe Robert Cole said he, director Ryan Coogler, and Marvel Studios are still “in the process of figuring many of those things out.” However, the screenwriter assured that he thinks “approaching the movie from a perspective that is rooted in the cultures of the continent is important.” Furthermore, when asked how current events and police brutality in the black community might inform T’Challa’s solo story, which is said to be linked to the Avengers: Infinity War, Cole said that he, the director, and executive producer Nate Moore are all “cognizant of what's going on in the world, in black communities, and in our country.” He continued, “We are aware of the importance of that, and the platform this movie provides us with.”



 
Considering he and Ryan Coogler are both African-American, Joe Robert Cole was then asked how they plan to do the African superhero and his culture justice on the big-screen. “I write characters focusing on them as human beings, and then you wrap them within a culture,” he assured. “So I think I can connect with him as a person with brown skin who's viewed differently by the world. In terms of his culture, we're thinking about where we are locating Wakanda within the continent, and what the people and history of that region are like. It's a process of investigation to help inform the story at this point. But we are going to be engaged with consultants who are experts on the continent and on African history and politics.” When asked how Black Panther will portray Wakanda’s advanced technology without westernizing the culture, Cole enthused, “That's one of the many questions that excite me. I think you try to extrapolate from the early civilizations and cultures of the continent, kind of looking for unique ways they set themselves apart from Western civilizations, and then pursue those avenues technologically and see where that takes you.” Finally, the writer was asked if he worries Black Panther will get dismissed as being for black audiences solely. “I don't think so,” he replied. “There is a huge fan base for the Black Panther comic and for Marvel as a whole. And I think there is great anticipation across the board for the movie. I think that's how Marvel’s approaching it and I know that's how I'm approaching it. I imagine Ryan feels the same way.”

After Chadwick Boseman debuts as T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War on May 6, 2016, the future king of Wakanda will return in the Ryan Coogler-directed Black Panther  movie, possibly co-starring Ernie Hudson as T'Chaka, on February 16, 2018.




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MrPositive
MrPositive - 2/16/2016, 7:32 AM
Blackman, Get it? Cus its Batman but he's black
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 2/16/2016, 11:22 AM
@MrPositive - Oooh yeah, like...Blagula!
MiopTop
MiopTop - 2/16/2016, 2:03 PM
@MrPositive - profile gif fits perfectly
Fogs
Fogs - 2/16/2016, 7:35 AM
I'm really happy a Black Panther movie is being made.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 2/16/2016, 7:36 AM
2 years seems a long time...

slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 2/16/2016, 7:37 AM
Blankman?

batz11
batz11 - 2/16/2016, 7:40 AM
Most anticipated for me, think if done right, this could be so awesome!
Pathogen
Pathogen - 2/16/2016, 7:40 AM
I"m honestly hoping that they make the black characters rich in detail and weight, they don't dumb them down by having their dialogue in Ebonics like they did with Creed, no wannabe thug clothing (its time we see strong, mature black people...not people dressing and talking like ignorant clowns).
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/16/2016, 7:54 AM
@Pathogen - Creed was painting a picture of an urban area that's ripe with hip hop culture. That speech you disliked so much is a part of that area of Philly, as well as the black culture. I'm a black male and I can't say Im a fan of my people continually being portrayed speaking ebonics and the like (I think it hurts more than helps), but Coogler was just showcasing the culture. If that's a part of the culture, so be it. I do think it brought some flavor to the film; the Philly culture that is, not the ignorant speech.

I do agree with you though. I'm ready to see black people who ooze regality and class. I think soemtimes, we don't get enough films that display that. Panther is a well spoken and classy monarch.
Pathogen
Pathogen - 2/16/2016, 8:02 AM
@ComicsBornAndBred - I agree, that's what they were going for. But it seems to me that they forced the plot too much. As a well spoken black male, as you seem in your typing, were you not thrown by the prospect of a kid taken and thrown into the life of luxury and prep schools, yet somehow retaining that urban speech? I understand that was his beginning, but after so many years of being around classier people...wouldn't that rub off? He got the education, he got the job, he had all the opportunities, and used them, to better himself. Even if he wanted to emulate his dad so much, all Adonis had to do was to watch old interviews of Apollo and see that Apollo himself didn't subscribe to the street jargon of the day. I get it. They were going for "this was always him, he didn't feel like he fit in with the classy world" vibe...I just think they movie didn't portray it well. Maybe half assed, making assumptions that all the audience would buy it. To me, he just looked like a poser and a cry baby.
And they really drove that point home with me trying to recreate the "kids from the streets running with the hero" vibe by putting in Philly's version of Baltimore's 12 0'clock boys on atv's and such.
I agree with you whole heartedly, catering black characters to the audience as talking in Ebonics and wearing their hats cocked to the side while they slouch in their cars is only detrimental and adds to any latent racist feelings someone may have. Its a shame.
I grew up in the suburbs where people were people. Sure, suburbs have been made fun of for being vanilla, everyone being the same, their lawns the same, etc. But if I grew up with different ethnicities and thought nothing of it until moving to an urban area...what exactly are we making fun of? Social equality? Seems backwards to me
Pathogen
Pathogen - 2/16/2016, 8:02 AM
@Pathogen - Wow, what a weird tangent for a comic book site. I need my morning coffee
permaturenut
permaturenut - 2/16/2016, 8:03 AM
@ComicsBornAndBred - gotta love your statement man
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/16/2016, 8:10 AM
@Pathogen - I here ya. I can't argue with most of your points. Its funny, because I'm from Philly and later moved to the suburbs. I was brought up to try and be better than what society paints most black males to be: thugs with little to no morals or accountability.

I think having Adonis subvert the norm and embrace the wonderful upbringing he was given by Apollo's wife would've been nice. Have him still desire to be a hard nosed fighter, all while exemplifying the proper way to carry himself, which was taught to him by his step mom. Seeing him wrestle with being either what his youth made him (in juvy) and then being what his stepmom raised him to be, would've been great to see.

I get it, he couldn't escape that mentality he had as a kid in juvy. I still love the film. I think it's execution is great as well as its direction and acting. Ive got bias I'm from Philly so it's a treat to see my city get some attention lol.
Pathogen
Pathogen - 2/16/2016, 8:15 AM
@ComicsBornAndBred - It GOT attention! In Fresh Prince! Kidding. Tell me, does Philly also have the dirtbike dudes rolling around? They are a nuisance here in Baltimore. I don't drive through the bad neighborhoods often, but sometimes on my commute I see them running red lights and acting like idiots.
I don't see them every going the route of having Creed embrace his step mom's life because they really wanted to black-wash, if you will, the original Rocky and paint him as an underdog again. Try to recreate the magic of the first films, the "man of the people". In today's world, the thug life neighborhoods have taken over the white dock worker/factory worker as the "everyman'.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/16/2016, 8:18 AM
@Pathogen - don't get me started on the dirt bikes and ATVs!!!! They're everywhere here. I have some friends who still live in the city, every time I visit, it's such a damn problem haha. They have legit races.
DasRouse
DasRouse - 2/16/2016, 8:46 AM
@Pathogen - They aren't going that route I believe. I expect a dialect somewhat like Beasts of No Nation had. As far as clothing, I'm thinking like the comics, traditional clothing with rich colors like Greens, Browns even some Reds in there. I wouldn't mind that traditional look mixed in with some futuristic detail put into it.
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