Black Panther…The Movie

There’s talk that Marvel Studios is planning to have Black Panther be one of the two non-sequel films in “Phase Two” of their film franchises.

It makes sense. Ever since Africa appeared on the map behind Nick Fury and Tony Stark near the end of Iron Man 2, fans like me were wondering when Marvel Studios would get around to it.

What worries me is how Marvel Studios plans on introducing the character…

If we assume that all of the “Phase Two” movies take place after The Avengers (a logical assumption, because Iron Man 3, Thor 2 and Cap 2 must be), the challenge would be in connecting events resulting from the Chitauri invasion with Africa.

But, since Africa appears on the map behind Nick Fury and Tony Stark near the end of Iron Man 2, we know that S.H.I.E.L.D. has an interest in Africa before the Chitauri invasion.

So, Marvel Studios has a decision to make. They could…

a) have Black Panther in his own movie that takes place before The Avengers.

In other words, Kevin Feige would mess with the MMU timeline some more (like he did with IM2, Thor and Incredible Hulk). While not unprecedented, this could wind up adding confusion to the audience’s understanding of the chain of events in the MMU.

b) have Black Panther in his own movie that takes place after The Avengers.

The problem here is introducing a brand new character that would have no connection to anything else in the MMU up to this point..and wouldn't explain Africa’s significance on the map.

Or…

c) have Black Panther appear within a sequel first (most likely Cap 2) and then give him his own movie?

My money is on option c. It makes the most sense to introduce him in a supportive role first, and then follow with a separate film.

So what about the map in IM2?

Maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. was looking for sources of Vibranium and learned there was some in Africa but couldn't follow up on it because of Thor’s actions in New Mexico and the Chitauri?

It's possible. Now, about the plot...

In Cap 2, Fury would contact Cap and explain that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s been looking at Wakanda as a possible source for more Vibranium. Cap would then be “asked” to look into a possible trade agreement with the African nation since his shield is made of the same stuff. Cap would agree to go; meet T’Chaka; they’d argue…and fight…until Klaw arrives looking to enslave everyone and take possession of the Vibranium mines. Cap would help out, but T’Chaka would be killed.  T’Challa would then become the new Black Panther, take Klaw’s hand off (like in the comics) and establish trade relations with S.H.I.E.L.D.

Black Panther could then go several ways…

1) T’Challa returns with Cap to America, meets S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fury, and winds up becoming a potential Avenger in the sequel.

2) T’Challa stays in Africa, defends Wakanda against Erik Killmonger or  Klaw (with the sonic blaster this time), and finds a danger that causes him to contact his new friends in America…making him a potential Avenger in the sequel.

Whatever Marvel Studios decides, it would be best for all if they firmly establish "Phase Two" as  post-Avengers, and use Thor and the Chitauri as reasons for not visiting Africa until now.

In Marvel Studios I Trust...