Let’s break down the incredible Black Panther trailer – The Verge

The first teaser trailer for Black Panther is finally here, and it looks incredible. If there was ever any doubt about how Black Panther, one of Marvels more enigmatic and under-appreciated superheroes, would fare on the big screen, this two-minute spot should put those fears to rest. Theres political intrigue, a sci-fi utopia, and plenty of action to look forward to, with a largely black cast put right on center stage.

But more than being just generally entertaining, this trailer is dense. Director Ryan Coogler has clearly done his homework on Black Panther lore, pulling in threads and ideas from some of the characters best stories over his 50 year history. Lets break some of them down.

Potential spoilers ahead.

Right off the bat, it should strike you that a movie trailer about the first black superhero in mainstream comics opens on a meeting between two white characters. Thats almost certainly by design. Weve met both of these characters before and they provide a window into a world that has been a complete mystery to us and the Marvel Cinematic Universe up until now.

Lets start with Everett K. Ross, played by Martin Freeman. He was first introduced in a minor role in last years Captain America: Civil War, but hell play a major part in this film as TChallas (Chadwick Boseman) key American ally. His role pulls directly from Christopher Priests classic 1998 Black Panther run, where Ross is a hapless government agent assigned to keep an eye on TChalla during a diplomatic crisis. Just like in the comics, he initially knows little about Wakanda. But is he ever going to learn.

Across from him is the one-armed Ulysses Klaw (Andy Serkis), a traditional Black Panther villain who was first introduced onscreen back in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Hes a gangster and smuggler whos been trying to steal Vibranium the metal Black Panthers suit is made of from Wakanda, the hyper-advanced African nation where TChalla is set to rule as king. Hes likely a pivotal figure in the unrest TChalla will have to face as ruler.

The crux of the film looks like itll have to do with TChalla returning to Wakanda to claim the throne. His father, King TChaka, was killed in Civil War, so its now up to TChalla to rule and deal with the drama that comes with his new duties.

Its from his point of view that we really see Wakanda for the first time. The first place we see is Warrior Falls, where his coronation will take place.

This gives us a peek at how Coogler has envisioned Wakanda for the film: a techno-utopia that features both futuristic airships and traditional culture. Its beautiful to behold, but also hints at how complicated life in the country is. TChalla will have to balance his responsibilities as a monarch with his life as a superhero, and thats going to be a difficult task. King TChaka (John Kani) even returns to do voiceover in the second half of the trailer, intoning, You are a good man with a good heart. And its hard for a good man to be king.

A major challenge for TChalla will be the factions vying for supremacy in Wakanda, a theme writer Ta-Nehisi Coates touched on in his recent run in the comics. Wakanda has numerous tribes across its numerous regions with varying levels of influence, even though the Black Panther is the leader of the entire country. One powerful figure among those tribes is Man-Ape (Winston Duke), another Panther villain who appears late in the trailer.

However, the core villain looks like it might be NJadaka, otherwise known as Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). Killmonger, who first appeared way back in Don McGregors epic 1970s Jungle Action comic run, is a Wakandan exile who holds a powerful grudge against TChallas father. Hes the mental and physical equal of the Black Panther in the comics, and once even managed to best TChalla in combat at Warrior Falls.

Some of Wakandas most powerful figures, both in the comics and in this trailer, are women. The most visible ones are the Dora Milaje, Black Panthers royal guard and traditionally his wive-in-training. They all kick ass. Theres Ayo, played by Florence Kasumba and first seen in Civil War. (You might also recognize her from Wonder Woman, where she played the Amazon Senator Acantha.) She doesnt play around. In the comics, she even helped lead a revolution against Black Panther himself.

Theres Okoye, played by The Walking Deads Danai Gurira, the leader of the Dora Milaje. And theres Nakia, played by Lupita Nyongo. Nakia fell deeply in love with TChalla in the comics, and her obsession with him eventually made her an enemy. Well see where Coogler takes their story in the film.

Even beyond the Dora Milaje, the royal family is sure to be formidable. Angela Bassett plays Queen Mother Ramonda, and even though we see her briefly, shes sure to play an important supporting role to TChalla. And then theres Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright). First introduced in Reginald Hudlins Black Panther run in 2005, shes TChallas kid sister. She eventually goes on to become a Black Panther and Queen of Wakanda, but thats probably a ways off.

One more thing. That purple blast before we see Black Panther flip off a destroyed car almost certainly comes from his suit, meaning well get the chance to see what he can really do. The vibranium armor TChalla wears is arguably as advanced as Tony Starks Iron Man armor, only with the emphasis put on stealth and agility instead of flight. With it, he can fire powerful energy blasts, scale buildings, and take gunfire without so much as blinking an eye.

Theres so much more that we still dont know about whats to come for this movie. (Which is good! Trailers really shouldnt give everything away!) But theres plenty to be excited about, particularly for new and long-time Black Panther fans.

Black Panther hits theaters on February 16th.

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Let's break down the incredible Black Panther trailer - The Verge