There have been a number of actors in line for the Wakandan throne over the years, with Wesley Snipes the most enduring rumour, even after he'd spent three films in the role of Marvel's premiere vampire hunter Blade. At this point Snipes is a little too old (and a little too keen on tax avoidance and subsequent imprisonment) to take the part of Black Panther; and, sadly, the rumours that Idris Elba might take the part came to naught, probably not helped by the fact he's already playing Heimdall in the Thor flicks. Thankfully, it looks like Marvel have made the right choice. Chadwick Boseman isn't one of the better-known actors that Marvel have cast - he's more on the Chris Hemsworth side of things than Robert Downey Jr superstar. Which is exactly what the character needs, frankly, especially considering the considerable critical responses there's been to the actor's work so far. He plays soul legend James Brown in biopic Get On Up, and groundbreaking baseball player Jackie Robinson in sports movie 42, both of which are challenging roles with a political edge.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
