“American Horror Story” star Angela Bassett has joined Marvel’s “Black Panther,” playing the mother of the title character.
Michael B. Jordan, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong’o and “The Walking Dead’s” Danai Gurira are also part of the ensemble cast. “Creed” helmer Ryan Coogler will direct.
Boseman will play T’Challa, the prince of the African nation of Wakanda, who must take over the throne after his father’s murder. Marvel unveiled the character in “Captain America: Civil War” last May and his standalone film hits theaters on Feb. 16, 2018.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 11: Actress Angela Bassett attends FX’s ‘American Horror Story: Freakshow’ FYC special screening and Q&A at Paramount Studios on June 11, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Barry King/FilmMagic)
Production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2017.
Joe Robert Cole is co-penning the script with Coogler. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is producing the movie.
This marks Bassett’s second turn down the comic book avenue having previously appeared in DC’s “Green Latern” pic starring Ryan Reynolds.
Bassett recently reprised her role as Secret Service Director Lynne Jacobs in “London Has Fallen.” On the small screen, she was just seen on “American Horror Story: Roanoke.” She also has the mini-series “Close to the Enemy” bowing soon.
She is repped by Gersh, Lighthouse Entertainment, and Fox Rothschild.