Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ Adds Angela Bassett
The cast of Marvel’sBlack Panthersomehow keeps getting better and better.Angela Bassettis the latest to board the superhero adventure, which is being led byChadwick Bosemanand directed byRyan Coogler. More details on theBlack PantherAngela Bassett casting, including the nature of her role, below.
Marvel officially announced theBlack PantherAngela Bassett casting today. She’ll play Ramonda, mother of T’Challa (Boseman). Also starring in the film areMichael B. Jordanas villain Erik Killmonger,Forest Whitakeras Wakandan statesman Zuri,Lupita Nyong’oas Dora Milaje member Nakia,Danai Guriraas Dora Milaje member Okoye,Daniel Kaluuyaas T’Challa’s friend W’Kabi,Winston Dukeas villain M’Baku (a.k.a. Man-Ape), andFlorence Kasumbaas Dora Milaje member Ayo.
Coogler andJoe Robert Colewrote the script, which picks up with the Wakandan hero after his introduction earlier this year inCaptain America: Civil War. The death of his father in that film means T’Challa must take over the Wakandan throne, but, as Nyong’o has explained in earlier interviews, “Black Panther’s leadership has been threatened by two foes who come together, and so Black Panther gets the help of the C.I.A. and the Dora Milaje to try and defeat the enemy.”
Bassett is an Academy Award nominee (for 1994’sWhat’s Love Got to Do With It) who currently stars in FX’sAmerican Horror Story. She’s no stranger to big-budget superhero films, having played Amanda Waller in 2011’sGreen Lantern.
There’s no denying this is one hell of a cast, but after Marvel’s last few releases I’m just hoping the film won’t waste their talents.Doctor Strangegave Michael Stuhlbarg almost nothing to do and rendered Amy Landecker practically unrecognizable, while Julie Delpy showed up inAvengers: Age of Ultronfor all of two minutes. Mind you, I’d be happy to see Bassett even if it’s only for a glorified cameo. But I’d be even happier to see her rip into a role that really deserves her.
