*“Person of Interest” actor Winston Duke has reportedly landed the key role of the villain M’Baku — aka Man-Ape — in Marvel’s upcoming “Black Panther” film starring Chadwick Boseman, according to Variety.
Marvel has so far declined to confirm.
Boseman will play T’Challa, the prince of the African nation of Wakanda, who must take over the mantel after his father’s murder. Marvel unveiled the character in “Captain America: Civil War” before the standalone film bows on Feb. 16, 2018.
In the comics, M’Baku was one of Wakanda’s most powerful warriors and one of T’Challa’s biggest rivals.
According to Variety, Marvel had been testing several actors for the role over the past week, including “The Get Down” actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, before casting Duke.
A recent graduate from the Yale School of Drama, Duke had recurring roles on several TV shows, including “Major Crimes,” “The Messengers,” and “Person of Interest.”
The film, directed by “Creed” helmer Ryan Coogler, also stars Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, and Lupita Nyong’o.
Joe Robert Cole is co-penning the script with Coogler. Kevin Feige is producing.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
