With the impending release of Guardians of the Galaxy the door opens for more obscure Marvel properties. I for one can't wait for a big screen adaptation to Marvel's Black Panther.
Who is the Black Panther?
He is a comic book character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby his alter ego is T'Challa chief tribal leader of the the Panther Tribe of the advanced African nation of Wakanda. Panther got his powers from the Panther God which grants him superhuman strength speed, stamina reflexes and agility at Olympic levels. He has genius level intellect a master at hand to hand combat and has retractable vibranium claws (WHICH CAN SLICE THROUGH ANY SUBSTANCE) and has gone toe to toe with Captain America on numerous occasions.
He would have to be played by a black actor who has screen presence and knows martial arts. Here are my top 10 choices.
#10 Ice T
Age 56
The ICE BERG has charisma and is in fabulous shape at his age. He comes from an extensive military and gymnastic background. However ICE doesn't have extensive martial arts training but if anyone could pull off Black Panther this light-skinned New Jack brutha could do it.
#9 Brian White
Age 39
Brian has the look and the screen presence. He played a minor role in "Cabin in the Woods" where he played a security officer in this role he played a character with a mysterious background if anyone can add gravitas to the Black Panther its this guy.
#8 Bob Sapp
Age 40
Bob Sapp doesn't have much on-screen experience but he is a mixed martial arts master with 11 wins and he is a scary man who would bring much needed physicality to the role.
#7 Kevin Kimbo Slice
Age 40
Anyone who calls himself Kimbo Slice is someone to be feared. Rolling stone called him "The King of the Web Brawlers" Real name Kevin Ferguson has had roles in "The Scorpion king 3" and the "The Circle of Pain" If I was casting I would take a chance on this guy because he knows how to emote for the camera and needs little training because he is an expert MMA fighter by trade.
#6 Quinton Rampage Jackson
Age 36
Mixed martial artist Quinton Rampage Jackson has been in Nike commercials, appeared in WWE Monday Night Raw and had a starring role in "The A-Team" reboot he would be a prime choice to play Black Panther because he already has a rabid fan base.
# 5 Peter Mensah
Age 54
Who could forget the ill-fated Persian messenger from the "this is Sparta" scene from 300 where his character is pushed into a well---- or the warrior trainer in the "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" and most recently in 2014's 300: Rise of an Empire. Peter Mensah has an extensive filmography in both motion pictures and series work. His character "Oenomaus" in "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" can crack the whip like a pro. For my money I wouldn't mind seeing this talented actor play Black Panther.
# 4 Morris Chestnut
Age 45
You wanna talk about star power lets talk about Morris Chestnut believe it or not he has had extensive martial arts training and is in great shape. This is the man who played Ricky Baker in Boyz n the Hood which was a landmark film about life in the ghetto. Chestnut has that all too important ability to make us care for a character. If he played the superhero Black Panther he would bring a debonair quality to the character and surprise us with his expertise in hand to hand action.
#3 Wesly Snipes
Age 51
Long rumored to be up for this role this was almost my number one selection. Snipes surprised me with his spot on portrayal of Blade the vampire hunter he has skill physicality and can handle a sword like no ones business. His acting ability is legendary he will appear in 2014's The Expendables alongside a bevy of action stars from the 80's. At 51 Snipes is mature in his age but he is as sharp as he ever was let's get him into costume now!
#2 Taimak
Age 50
Remember this guy? Sure you do he was in the 1985 martial arts cult film "The Last Dragon" where he played Leroy Green. Taimak has the look and persona appropriate for Black Panther. He would be great in this role because he is in remarkable shape and is a face we haven't seen in a while and ripe for a come back.
#1 Michael Jai White
Age 46
For my number one I'm going with actor Michael Jai White because hands down he can bring it and he is fun to watch. I imagine Black Panther to be charismatic and cool but can kick ass like an old master. He can do comedy well as seen in Tyler Perry's "Why did I get Married?" He has the star power to create a Black Panther franchise and I would love to see this actor interact with THE AVENGERS.
