Lupita Nyong’o to Star in Ryan Coogler’s ‘Black Panther’ Alongside Chadwick Boseman

“Captain America: Civil War” abounds in familiar faces fighting amongst themselves, but its most exciting element was a new presence: Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, real name T’Challa. The warrior king of a fictional African country named Wakanda will next be seen in his own spinoff film — and so, apparently, will Lupita Nyong’o. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the “12 Years a Slave” Oscar winner is in talks to join Ryan Coogler’s take on the Marvel character as Black Panther’s as-yet unnamed love interest.

Nyong’o is among a small handful of actors to win an Academy Award for their debut performance, and since bursting onto the scene with “12 Years” has featured in the likes of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “The Jungle Book.” Boseman, meanwhile, made a name for himself with the biopic one-two punch of “42” (as Jackie Robinson) and “Get On Up” (James Brown). Coogler also started out with comparatively low-key fare, winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2013 for “Fruitvale Station” before helming last year’s “Creed.”

“Selma” director Ava DuVernay was previously in talks to direct “Black Panther” but decided not to move forward with the project due to creative differences. The film is set to be released on February 2, 2018.

For more, watch the “Captain America: Civil War” trailer: