The Black Panther Is Coming

Ah, you know what? I I still think it shoulda been Lupita Nyong’o.

Marvel announced today its next roll-out of movies – o.k.a. Phase 3, which will unspool after we all get properly mesmerized by next summer’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron – and, just like that, the studio essentially told the world that the DC Comicsverse can get its Marvelfication on all it wants, for Marvel knows that it is still leader when it comes to superhero movies.

See, the studio first confirmed that it will pit Captain America (Chris Evans) against Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) in the threequel Captain America: Civil War (not Captain America: Serpent Society).

And then, it welcomed Chadwick Boseman (Get On Up, 42) into the fray as the star of 2017’s Black Panther (thus anointing Boseman – pictured here – the first black Marvel lead, although he is expected to play a supporting role in Cappie’s third outing, which is scheduled for 2016).

On a related note, the third Avengers blockbuster will be split into two parts, with the first one arriving in theaters in May 2018 and the second one following suit a year later. The movies will be subtitled Infinity War. No word on whether Joss Whedon will be directing. Yet.

Also on deck for 2018? Marvel’s first female-led production.

No, it won’t be a Black Widow stand-alone joint. The studio is planning on launching a Captain Marvel franchise (to be precise, the Carol Danvers incarnation).

Now, when I say that Nyong’o shoulda been tapped for Black Panther, I only mean that she coulda been – 2-4-1/Missed Opportunity Alert! – the first black female Marvel lead. Like, #NODISRESPECTTOCHADWICKBOSEMAN.

The powers that be also confirmed that Doctor Strange is very much in the works, for a November 2016 release, but did not confirm Benedict Cumberbatch as its star. Yet. Also, the Guardians of the Galaxy will get down with their bad selves again in May 2017, while Thor’s third adventure (subtitled Ragnarok) will be unveiled a couple of months after that, with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki!

Not to be left outta the fun, the Inhumas are coming in the fall of 2018 (perhaps, with Vin Diesel?)

Photo: GQ.com.