Sterling K. Brown (TV In Color/Facebook)
Sterling K. Brown, who recently landed a role in Marvel’s upcoming “Black Panther” movie, wants everybody to know that this isn’t just another superhero flick.
The 40-year-old “This Is Us” star remained true to the secretive nature of the project while speaking to Entertainment Tonight about the details of the script. However, he did reveal it will speak to the racial politics Black people around the globe are facing.
“It is politically astute. It is incredibly socially relevant,” Brown said after noting the movie poses some “really provocative questions.”
“It’s not just an action film,” he continued. “It addresses the climate today of Africans and African-Americans — across the country and across the world — in a way that people will really be excited about.”
In 2016, Black people worldwide faced incidents of racism that ranged from physically brutal to socially controlling. Several cases of police violence against Black Americans occurred, reaching a peak in the summer when Alton Brown and Philando Castile were shot and killed within a day of each other. In the fall, South African girls hosted a protest against racist dress-code policies at their school that prohibited natural hair.
While the Emmy-winner didn’t offer specific insight into whether the movie will tackle similar issues, he did confirm he will play N’Jobu, someone from the past of main character T’Challa, whose alter ego is Black Panther. T’Challa is being played by Chadwick Boseman, who also played Jackie Robinson in “42” and James Brown in “Get On Up.”
“And basically, without losing a testicle, I don’t think I can say anything else,” Brown said. “I want to keep them both.”
Brown is the latest star to be added to the growing list of names attached to the Marvel film, due for release on Feb. 16, 2018. Other names include Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira and Angela Bassett.
The movie will follow T’Challa as he assumes the role of ruler of Wakanda and defends the nation from enemies as Black Panther. The first trailer is expected to be released later this year.
