10 Unexpected Insights About ‘Black Panther’

Back in 2005, when Marvel Studios unveiled an ambitious lineup of new superhero films, Black Panther stood out as a highly anticipated project. Although plans to adapt the character for the big screen had been in development for years, it wasn’t until 2016 that the vision truly took shape. Chadwick Boseman’s debut as T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War marked a turning point. By 2018, Wakanda became a cinematic reality, showcasing its vibrant culture and its heroic ruler. This milestone came over five decades after the character’s introduction in comic books in 1966. 

The film’s worldwide influence was immense. Beyond its staggering $1.34 billion box office success, Black Panther earned significant Oscar recognition, while fans globally embraced its iconic Wakandan salute. Here are 10 fascinating details about Black Panther.

1. In the mid-1990s, Wesley Snipes was nearly cast as the lead in an early version of Black Panther.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Marvel struggled with a series of box office failures (remember Howard the Duck?). Amid this turmoil, Wesley Snipes, then a rising star, expressed interest in portraying T’Challa. However, the perfect script, director, and technology never aligned, leading Snipes to pivot to Blade—a franchise that ironically sustained Marvel financially, paving the way for Black Panther two decades later. 

2. Ryan Coogler’s involvement hinged on bringing his trusted team.

Marvel, under Kevin Feige, is renowned for its rigid adherence to a signature formula, integrating top talent into a system that produces films with a hint of uniqueness yet often retaining a familiar feel. Ryan Coogler, determined to protect his creative vision, only accepted the director’s role after securing permission to collaborate with his own team: cinematographer Rachel Morrison, production designer Hannah Beachler, and composer Ludwig Goransson, all of whom had partnered with Coogler on acclaimed projects like Fruitvale Station (2013) and the Rocky sequel Creed (2015).

3. Coogler found creative inspiration in an award-winning French indie film.

What better source for a superhero movie? “My all-time favorite film is A Prophet, a French masterpiece released nearly a decade ago, which feels surreal to say,” Coogler shared with Fandango in 2018. “Whenever I’m crafting a film, I draw heavily from its influence. A Prophet explores themes of secret societies and cultural bonds, making it a significant inspiration for Black Panther.” Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film won the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2009 and, much like Black Panther, aimed to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities—specifically, Arabs in France.

4. The Black Panther crew transformed a horse into a rhinoceros.

To create a convincing rhino, the team began with a horse. While Snipes once bemoaned the limited CGI technology of the 1990s, the Black Panther production team employed remarkable techniques to animate Wakanda. This included filming horses and digitally overlaying rhinoceros features, allowing them to gallop across fields or even accept apples from Boseman’s hand.

5. The South Korea chase sequence utilized 150 vehicles and involved 700 individuals.

For comparison, 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) destroyed 130 cars, while Fast & Furious (2001) wrecked 190, placing Black Panther’s chase squarely between the two in terms of vehicular carnage. However, the film’s standout figure might be 3000, the number of prosthetic nodes Michael B. Jordan wore to depict Killmonger’s scarification. 

6. Shaving their heads became a unifying ritual for the Black Panther cast.

Each Dora Milaje member committed to shaving their heads, turning the act into a bonding experience. “There’s a stark contrast between a short haircut and completely smooth baldness,” Danai Gurira explained to Jimmy Kimmel. “As each woman in my squad arrived, they transformed from long-haired to bald overnight, fostering a sense of unity among us.”

7. While still in film school, Coogler attended the opening day screening of Iron Man.

The post-credits scene in Black Panther echoes Iron Man’s conclusion, featuring T’Challa at a United Nations press conference declaring Wakanda’s decision to share its advanced technology. This deliberate choice connected the two films and paid homage to the first MCU installment, which Coogler watched on its debut day during his time at USC School of Cinematic Arts. “What impressed me about Iron Man, and what Marvel excels at, is its ability to feel grounded in our reality despite its fantastical elements,” Coogler shared with io9. Rising from film school to helm a billion-dollar franchise in just seven years, he became the MCU’s youngest director at that time.

8. Lupita Nyong’o sponsored 600 Kenyan children to watch the film.

Frederick Joseph initiated the Black Panther Challenge weeks before the film’s release, raising $50,000 to provide free screenings for children in Harlem. Inspired by this effort, Nyong’o sponsored 600 children from her hometown of Kisumu, Kenya, to watch her share the screen with Boseman. She shared on Instagram, “I wanted kids from my hometown to see empowering representations and relatable superheroes on the big screen. No matter where you are, you can help make this possible for more children who can’t afford to see the movie.”

9. The Wakanda salute draws inspiration from ancient pharaohs and American Sign Language.

The iconic crossed-arm gesture and phrase “Wakanda Forever” have transcended the movie. Coogler revealed that the salute was influenced by ancient Egyptian burial practices and West African art, with the added significance of representing a “hug” in American Sign Language. 

10. Donald Glover contributed humorous dialogue to Black Panther.

During the DVD commentary, Coogler praised Glover as “one of the funniest individuals” he’s ever met, disclosing that the Community actor contributed several jokes to the movie. One particularly memorable moment occurs when the gathered tribes are questioned if anyone will oppose T’Challa for the throne, prompting Shuri (Letitia Wright) to raise her hand and humorously protest the lengthy proceedings.