PHOTOS FROM MARVEL STUDIOS’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME GLOBAL PRESS CONFERENCE

Check out the photos from Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME global press conference held today!  Producer Kevin Feige and directors Anthony and Joe Russo were joined by stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Brie Larson, Paul Rudd, Danai Gurira and Karen Gillan for the Jon Favreau-hosted global press event.

Black Panther: The Women of Wakanda

THE WOMEN OF WAKANDA

The in-home release of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is packed with bonus material including deleted scenes, outtakes and never-before-seen featurettes. The highly-celebrated story of a young African prince named T’Challa (played by Chadwick Boseman) has thrilled and inspired generations of moviegoers around the world, and dominated box office charts. Thankfully, the exhilarating adventure will be available Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on May 8 and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On-Demand on May 15.

To celebrate the in-home launch of the mighty Marvel movie, we chat to the cast and crew about the women of Wakanda, which is the subject of one of the exclusive bonus features: The Warriors Within. Look no further if you want to get to know Wakanda’s women and the amazing actors who portray them…

LUPITA NYONG’O [NAKIA]

“I love the way Black Panther represents women. Each and every one of us [in the movie] is an individual. We all have our own sense of power and we hold our own space without being pitted against each other. I think that’s a very, very powerful message to send to children – both male and female.

“In Black Panther, we see women going about their business and supporting each other. They argue with each other and have different points of view, but they are not pitted against each other and I think that’s extremely important. In doing this, audiences can get a sense of the fabric of Wakanda as a nation, where we see women alongside men and we see how much more effective a society can be if they allow women to explore their full potential.

“Cinema has the potential to show us who we’ve been, who we are, and who we could be – and Wakanda is an example of who we could be. This is a nation that has been allowed to self-determine because it has avoided the interruption that colonialism was; that assault on a culture and the imposition of a new culture on another. It has figured out how to develop on its own terms. And with that development, it seems they have figured out how to allow their citizens to realize their fullest potential, which means that women can hold their power and not compromise or jeopardize the man’s power. In Wakanda, a woman can assume her own power – but she can also stand with and in support of the man at her side.

“We can see that with the character of Black Panther, who is this all-powerful, vibranium-wearing guy who has Okoye [played by Danai Gurira] by his side. He also has a confidant in my character, Nakia. She’s someone that he can listen to and consider on a level plain. I think that’s really cool to see. I love the way that you get to see it unapologetic and unexplained; it’s just the way it is in a country you’ve never visited before. I feel like this gives you a glimpse as to what is possible in the real world.”

BLACK PANTHER - South African Premiere Photos

In Johannesburg, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira and John Kani attended the South African premiere of Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER.

PHOTOS FROM THE EUROPEAN PREMIERE OF “BLACK PANTHER”

In London at the Eventim Apollo, stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright and Andy Serkis were joined by writer/director Ryan Coogler for a walk down the red carpet where they greeted enthusiastic fans at the European premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther.”

  

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” opens in U.S. theaters on February 16.

“BLACK PANTHER” WORLD PREMIERE PHOTOS

In Los Angeles, stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira,  Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Andy Serkis were joined by writer/director Ryan Coogler and producer Kevin Feige for a walk down the red carpet where they greeted enthusiastic fans at the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther.”

They were joined by special guests Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Janelle Monáe, Donald Glover, Issa Rae, Lena Waithe, Jamie Foxx, Usher, Tessa Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani, Yara Shahidi, David Oyelowo, Elizabeth Banks and George Lucas.

“Black Panther” opens in U.S. theaters on February 16.

Spoiler-Free Review of Marvel's Black Panther - The Hype is Real!

The hype for a solo Black Panther movie started as soon as he made his debut in Captain America: Civil War. As we get closer and closer to the film's opening date, the hype is real. I have been lucky enough to attend the World Premiere of Black Panther and just watched it last night again for a media screening at The Walt Disney Studios. My already high expectations for this movie were blown out of the water the first time and the second screening just made me love the movie even more. This is easily the best of the MCU to date!

This will be a non-spoiler review and I will do my best to keep it so.

Let's start off with director and writer Ryan Coogler, whose two previous works in Fruitvale Station and Creed are already two of my favorite movies. If you have seen either movie then you know that both films are quite remarkable in terms of character development, story and cinematography. Take that knowledge into Black Panther and you get one of the most powerful, relevant and important stories of any superhero film to date.

The film is deeply character driven and you understand each of the characters and their own particular motivations throughout the movie. The cast is amazing and they take an already solid script to a whole new level. Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya,  Letitia Wright, Forrest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Andy Serkis, Martin Freeman and others take on their characters and bring a reality to all of them. Their character dynamics and relationships are as complex as real relationships. The events within the movie will change all of these characters forever. There are elements of heroism and courageousness come not only in the ways we expect in a superhero film but also in the way that some of these characters have to question their own beliefs.

The country of Wakanda is created here in a spectacular fashion. It is a real, breathing place that is seen in several different lights. It is seen how others see it from the outside, how the citizens see it and how others who know of it's dark past and what may become of the country depending on the actions of the main characters in the story.

Without getting into spoiler territory, Michael B. Jordan as the villain is a standout here. One of the things lacking in many Marvel films is a true villain or antagonist. Make no mistake, his character of Killmonger has a point of view, believes his actions are justified, and for all intensive purposes believes that he is the hero. His story arc truly makes you understand why he is the way that he is and if you walked a mile in his shoes, you too might feel the same way that he does.

The action is stunning and even as each action sequence breaks out, each one is different in terms of look and style from the other. This truly creates a visual tour-de-force. Costumes and designs are some of the best for Marvel yet. And the score and soundtrack will be on my top 10 list at the end of the year for sure.

Black Panther is visually stunning and one of the smartest, action-packed movies in a long time.  It is fun, funny, relevant in a deeply emotional way. There is a new king and it is Black Panther!