Lost and G.I. Joe actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has entered the “first round” of talks with Marvel over playing the first black superhero in comics history, the Black Panther, in what could be a 2012 tentpole for the company.
The 41 year old London born actor told MTV during the San Diego Comic Con that he believes his part as Heavy Duty in G.I. Joe will be his big audition and whether he gets the gig or not will be down to whether Marvel like the movie when it opens next month.
“He’s from a fictional village in Africa and the timing is so right for that kind of character to come through,” he said. “And while I’m in my prime, this is the time. We’ve got [U.S. President Barack] Obama, now we need something on screen to represent, so… ‘Panther,’ man… it’s about time we have a black superhero, isn’t it?”
Black Panther was a movie originally outlined as a potential tentpole by Marvel President Kevin Feige in 2007, and out of the others mentioned (Cap America, Thor, Avengers) he is the last to be greenlit, and I guess until we hear a script writer and a director has come onboard, officially it still hasn’t.
At 41, Akinnuoye-Agbaje is a little older than I would have liked for an actor taking on a superhero franchise but as we’ve seen with Robert Downey Jr, sometimes the older the wiser. I always did like his work as Mr. Ecko on Lost and his character was removed from the show way too early. Another slight concern is I’ve always thought of him as more of a villain than a hero but I’m happy to see Black Panther put in motion as one of the first “new” franchises to come post-Avengers… what say you?
3 Comments
He’s a HELL of a lot better choice than Djimon Honsou.
The man incarnated deadly presence on LOST. It’s obvious he fits the antagonist type based on what he showed in that character, but Black Panther is not on the quintessential hero’s mission. I am not acquainted with him on the page, but Marvel has portrayed him in animated form as being motivated by his duty to the kingdom he has inherited, and to its people — nothing more, nothing less. He isn’t saving anything, he is defending something. I can see Akinnuoye-Agbaje playing that role. He is believable as a dangerous creature and a ruthless warrior. That Marvel art at the top of the post is awesome imagery, and I hope that they capture the imposing figure of that character with any actor.
Man I have a bad feeling about GIJOE…all special effects,no story..kinda like a another 80’s cartoon that just came out with its sequel…”The Megan Fox Movie aka Transformers 2.Cause she was the only thing good about it.