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We all know by now that game 4 of the NBA Finals caused a frenzy for reasons beyond King James, Kyrie Irving and KD. The much anticipated trailer to Marvel’s Black Panther was made its big debut, and the public got a small glimpse of the awesomeness that will hit theaters on February 16, 2018. While the trailer wasn’t the first glimpse at Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, it finally gave fans an inside look at the talented cast of actors assembled by rising star director Ryan Coogler.
Here, CASSIUS breaks down each character you will meet in Wakanda on premiere night.
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Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa, a.k.a. Black Panther): newly-appointed King of the West African country Wakanda and the latest in a legacy of Wakandan warrior kings to hold the role of Black Panther.
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Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger): A Wakandan exile who aims to overthrow T’Challa and take over his throne. He’s considered one of the main antagonists in the movie.
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Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia): A member of the all-female Wakandan soldier force called the Dora Milaje. Nakia is also slated to be T’Challa’s main love interest.
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Danai Gurira (Okoye): The leader of the Dora Milaje. Okoye serves as the main aide and bodyguard to T’Challa.
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Forest Whitaker (Zuri): A religious leader in the Wakandan community. Zuri often serves as a spiritual guide and something like a father figure to T’Challa since his father’s murder.
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Angela Bassett (Ramonda): The wife of T’Challa’s father, T’Chaka. Ramonda is step-mother to the newly-appointed king, as his biological mother died during childbirth. Originally from South Africa, T’Challa values Ramonda as the mother-figure in his life, and she serves as “Queen Mother” to the country of Wakanda.
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Daniel Kaluuya (W’Kabi): Not much is known about this character right now, but he serves as one of the key aides to T’Challa.
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Florence Kasumba (Ayo): Another member of the Dora Milaje, Ayo is also one of the only characters from Black Panther who made an appearance in a prior Marvel Studios film (Captain America: Civil War).
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Letitia Wright (Shuri): The half-sister of T’Challa and Princess of Wakanda. Shuri’s most known for her incredible intelligence and technological savvy. As the inventor of most of the Wakandan technology, Shuri’s knowledge is said to rival billionaire genius and leader of the Avengers, Tony Stark, better known as Iron Man.
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John Kani (T’Chaka): The former King of Wakanda and father of T’Challa. T’Chaka was killed in a terrorist attack at the United Nations in Avengers:Civil War, leading T’Challa to take the mantle as King.
Phylicia Rashad (Unknown): The legendary actress hasn’t revealed what role she’ll be taking in the film, but it has been confirmed that she’ll be making an appearance.