Marvel makes good on their plans to introduce more diverse superhero films with Chadwick Boseman's formal welcoming into the Marvel Cinematic universe as superhero Black Panther during a live event at Los Angeles on Tuesday, USA Today reported.
Boseman was welcomed into the ranks of Marvel's superheroes by "Iron Man" Robert Downey Jr. and "Captain America" Chris Evans during a press conference at the El Capitan Theater. Boseman's casting makes him the second African-American actor to lead a Marvel film, following Wesley Snipes as Blade from the "Blade" series of films.
Boseman was cast as T'Challa, the African ruler of Wakanda turned superhero Black Panther. Black Panther was introduced in 1966 and was the first superhero of African descent featured in mainstream comics.
"He's a bit of a prince, he may even become a bit of a king," Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said of Black Panther during the event. "But it's all about how this isolationist country meets the world. Maybe it goes well, maybe it doesn't."
Boseman said he considered himself "blessed" to be a part of the Marvel Universe and to work with Downey, Evans, Marvel and many others.
Marvel also unveiled their new slate of movies to tide fans over until 2019, according to The Washington Post.
They revealed plans for the "Captain America," "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Thor" movie franchises and upcoming films featuring comic book characters Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel and more.
"Captain America: Civil War" is set for a May 6, 2016 release and it is set to feature the Civil War, pitting Captain America with Avengers teammate Ironman.
This will also feature Boseman's debut as Black Panther. Marvel also confirmed that despite Downey's appearance, there were no plans for an "Ironman 4."
Doctor Strange will be making his big-screen debut on Nov. 4, 2016. British actor Benedict Cumberbatch was rumored to have been cast for the title role, but it has not been officially confirmed.
"Guardians of the Galaxy 2" is set to hit theaters in May 5, 2017 while Thunder god Thor will return in "Thor: Ragnarok" in July 28, 2017.
Marvel will have its first leading lady in a female Captain Marvel, which is set for a July 6, 2018 release.
"The Inhumans" will be arriving on the big-screen on Nov. 2, 2018 as an answer to 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" franchise.
As for the Black Panther film, it is scheduled for a Nov. 3, 2017 release.
Meanwhile, two "Avengers" films, featuring the Infinity Gauntlet, are also in the works. "Avengers: Infinity War Part One" will be out in May 2018 and "Avengers: Infinity War Part Two" will be released in May 2019.
Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" is set for May 2015, and it has already debuted its trailer on Marvel's official YouTube channel Wednesday, Oct. 22.
