Sterling K. Brown (Blairali/Wikipedia)
The cast of the highly anticipated “Black Panther” movie continues to take shape as Sterling K. Brown comes aboard as the newest addition to the group. The star of the hit NBC drama “This Is Us” will make his way into the Marvel universe when the film hits theaters in 2018.
Brown will play N’Jobu, someone from the Black Panther’s past, Marvel revealed on its website Thursday, Jan. 5. No other details about the character were released, but Brown’s casting rounds out an already high-profile cast.
Chadwick Bronson plays the titular character and his alter ego, Prince T’Challa of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Michael B. Jordan will play villain Erik Killmonger, Lupita Nyong’o is “adored one” Nakia and acting veterans Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker also are on board as Wakanda’s Queen Mother Ramonda and elder statesman Zuri, respectively.
The film will begin shooting early this year and although plot information is scarce, production issued a casting call in October for extras in Georgia who will help populate Wakanda. The filmmakers sought adult African men and women of all ages and hosted another call for senior and child actors. Other qualifications included an athletic and Afropunk aesthetic with skills in martial arts and African drumming.
Marvel’s newest superhero movie will mark the first film of its kind for Brown, who won an Emmy for his turn in “The People vs. O.J. Simpson.” in 2016.
“Black Panther” opens in theaters Feb. 16, 2018.
