While a lot of recent images from Marvel have been focusing on "Doctor Strange," the latest issue of Empire Magazine (via The Hollywood Reporter) featured an interview with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige in which he detailed the importance of "Black Panther" and how the film will lead directly to "Avengers: Infinity War."
Feige first explained that the film is "important" and that it not only introduces King T'Challa aka the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) but also the whole nation of Wakanda, the African country home to the world's largest source of vibranium.
Wakanda was mentioned briefly in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" when vibranium was used for Captain America's (Chris Evans) shield and the central core for Iron Man's (Robert Downey Jr.) suit.
The film, Feige describes, will be "a big geopolitical action adventure that focuses on the family and royal struggle of T'Challa in Wakanda, and what it means to be a king. T'Challa's story is very important to us as it links to the next 'Avengers' films, which is why we brought it forward."
How it will tie into "Avengers: Infinity War" part one and two are still undetermined, but it is likely that the film will feature one of the Infinity Stones that Thanos (Josh Brolin) needs to become the all-powerful galactic being he desires to be.
According to a report from Collider, there is a chance Ulysses Klaw (Andy Serkis) might be returning to continue his trade of stealing vibranium to sell them off in the black market. The report also cites that actor Ernie Hudson is rumored to play T'Challa's father and that Thanos may be in the film to further tie it into the third "Avengers" film.
"Black Panther" is set to be released on Feb. 16, 2018, but the titular character will make his debut in this year's "Captain America: Civil War."
