Chadwick Boseman Says 'Black Panther' Will Explore The Character's Origins

Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa may have made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Captain America: Civil War, but he raises many questions that are still unanswered when the credits roll. Some of this is due to him being a supporting player in a movie that is really about Captain America and Iron Man, but much of it has to do with the fact that he's going to be the subject of his own solo adventure, due out in 2018.

So fret not! Boseman himself says that any of your lingering Black Panther questions will be answered in the next movie.

Speaking with Yahoo Movies U.K., Boseman made it clear that Civil War is not an origin story for Black Panther. After all, he's already wearing the costume and in full control of his abilities when the movie starts:

Civil War was a jumping off point for the Black Panther character. It's not necessarily an origin story because he remains a mystery through most of the movie. When I take the mask off and it's revealed that it's the Prince of Wakanda, that's the guy whose father was just killed – it's a surprise [...] So then, you're learning – as you watch the movie – what his powers are, because you're not sure. He remains a mystery through most of the movie.

And Boseman is correct – Civil War never pauses to explain exactly what Black Panther's abilities are or how he came to wear that (digitally enhanced) vibranium suit. After all, the film already has too much on its plate. For the record, Black Panther's abilities include increased strength, agility, and senses, all the result of intense training and the ingestion of a mysterious herb that enhances his physical prowess. Oh, and then there's his innate connection with the Wakandan Panther God, giving him a powerful spiritual ally. And also for the record, the title of Wakanda's chief protector is hereditary, although descendants of previous Black Panthers must overcome intense trials to take on the mantle for themselves.

Of course, any and all of that could change once co-writer/director Ryan Coogler is done shaping his story. The background and skill set of Black Panther are among the more malleable of the Marvel universe.

In any case, Boseman promises that the "darker" and "grittier" solo film will provide a crash course for everyone:

If you saw the tease at the end [of Civil War] in Wakanda, that's more mystery there so I think there's a lot to reveal about the character. There is definitely more of his origin in Black Panther. You're going to learn about Wakanda, its culture, its traditions, the past. You can go through all the comic books and know that there's more Panthers that have existed in the past - that's origin.

Black Panther is set to open on February 16, 2018.