3. Will The Movie Dare To Touch On Themes Of Race & Equality? - Black Panther
The best thing about Black Panther in general and the associated comic books is the approach that they take towards social and political issues, as well as their exploration of race relations and matters of inequality. Many of the comic books are quite heavy in subtext, which gives them an added oomph. So how will all this stuff fit nicely into the MCU? Because - generally speaking - the MCU doesn't deal in heavy subject matter. The films are knowingly self-aware, playful and they don't take themselves all that seriously, despite an endless stream of plots concerning villains who want to "destroy the world." For a Black Panther movie to really work in all the ways that the comics do, it will have to deal with the same themes and subjects - themes and subjects that might feel a little too heavy in the light-hearted MCU that exists right now. Granted, Marvel are clearly thinking the right way with regards to this one, as they are seemingly toying with the idea of hiring Ava DuVernay, director of Selma, to helm the picture. Fingers crossed they do exactly that.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
