‘Black Panther’ Producer Says Ancient One Casting Was ‘A Lesson’

Black Panther will transport audiences to the technologically advanced nation of Wakanda and will feature a predominantly black cast, marking a huge step forward for representation in Marvel Studios projects and offering a cinematic experience unlike any other before. However, the studio has made missteps with regard to inclusivity in the past, particularly with the controversial casting of Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One in Doctor Strange, who is an Asian character in the comics. In an interview with ComicBook.com, Black Panther producer Nate Moore commented on the controversy and referred to it as “a lesson” for the studio.

Moore acknowledged that the casting decision was a misstep and that the studio has learned “a lesson” from the experience:

“Sometimes we step in it, a little bit. I think the Ancient One in Doctor Strange was a lesson for us, and in trying to avoid a stereotype we created an issue that we completely understood in hindsight, but we want to tell stories for everybody.”

The producer added that the studio hopes to continue telling stories with the characters from Black Panther in sequels or other MCU projects:

“We’ve always tried to find room for faces that look like everybody and not just homogeneous casting. Panther, obviously, is a big swing, which we hope to continue through many, many sequels, and take some of these characters and put them in even other franchises because I do think there’s a way to cross pollinate in an interesting way, but it’s also finding new heroes and new stories that allow us to do that organically. Looking at casting as a way to find the best actor or actress regardless of race or gender, frankly.”

Fans will be introduced to the heroes and villains of Black Panther when the film arrives in theaters next month!

“Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke,  Florence Kasumba, Sterling K. Brown, Andy Serkis and John Kan.

Black Panther will be released in theaters on February 16, 2018.

Source: ComicBook.com