Marvel Studios President on the Future of the ‘Black Panther’ Franchise

Kevin Feige discussed Chadwick Boseman's casting and potential sequels.

Writer/director Ryan Coogler (L) and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige at the Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel Studios' BLACK PANTHER at Dolby Theatre on January 29, 2018 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Writer/director Ryan Coogler (L) and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige at the Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel Studios' BLACK PANTHER at Dolby Theatre on January 29, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Getty Images for Disney

As Black Panther prepares for a massive opening weekend, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige answered questions about the franchise for Variety. According to Feige, Chadwick Boseman was the only star considered for the leading role. Someone brought up Boseman’s name during Marvel’s first meeting about casting a protagonist, and within 24 hours the studio was on the phone with his agent. Feige said he and others were impressed by Boseman’s range, from playing Jackie Robinson in 42 to James Brown in Get On Up. Feige did not give an answer for how many Black Panther films the studio has planned, but told Variety that he’d “absolutely” love to have Ryan Coogler back to direct a sequel.

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