With Thor completing his shift into oafish bro in Thor: Ragnarok, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in desperate need of a new stoic, humorless bad-ass to play straight man against the Avengers’ growing lineup of jokey dudes. Thankfully, it’s getting one this February with Black Panther, a film that seems to be the Marvel answer to Blade Runner, taking us to a futuristic world of neon lights, flying cars, and a quiet, intense hero with a pretty awesome outfit. Chadwick Boseman stars in the title role, with Michael B. Jordan playing an antagonist of the purest Marvel tradition: an on-the-nose analogue who ALSO does kitty cosplay. Creed‘s Ryan Coogler co-wrote and directed the film, which also features Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Sterling K. Brown, Florence Kasumba, Daniel Kaluuya, Martin Freeman, and Andy Serkis. The ultimate nail-based battle hits theaters February 16.
