Chadwick Boseman is Marvel’s Black Panther

Chadwick Boseman has officially landed the title role in the upcoming Marvel superhero film Black Panther! Marvel introduced onstage today alongside Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, 42‘s Chadwick Boseman will be the first African-American superhero to lead a stand-alone Marvel tent pole in 2017’s Black Panther. According to a source, he’s signed a lucrative five-film deal that begins with 2016’s Captain America: Civil War and continues through Marvel’s just-unveiled Phase 3 lineup. “I'm blessed to be part of this Marvel Universe and I look forward to making magic together,” said Boseman.

The 37-year-old actor joins other diverse characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but is the first to get his own standalone and that is notable. Best known for playing Jackie Robinson in “42” and James Brown in “Get On Up,” Boseman will soon be seen in Alex Proyas‘ “Gods of Egypt.” He's repped by Greene & Associates, Management 360 and Ziffren Brittenham. Boseman was among several names rumored to be circling the project, but this is the first confirmation of the casting. They also confirmed November 3, 2017 as the release date for the film.