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Source: Marvel / Skydance / 1943: Rise of Hydra
Marvel video game fans, we might have a banger! The first trailer for the Black Panther and Captain America game, now titled 1943: Rise of Hydra, is here and looks absolutely amazing.
We didnât see what the Amy Hennig-led game looked like until now, as it was first unveiled during the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase during the D23 Convention in 2022 that was until now.
During the State of Unreal keynote, Marvel and Skydance New Media delivered an epic story trailer showcasing the power of Unreal Engine 5, and itâs f***ing awesome.
Per Kotaku via Marvel, the gameâs narrative reads as follows:
As the gameâs narrative unfolds, players will assume the role of four central characters: a young Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America; Azzuri, TâChallaâs grandfather and the WWII-era Black Panther; Gabriel Jones, a US soldier and member of the Howling Commandos; and Nanali, a Wakandan spy embedded in Occupied Paris.
In the gorgeous cinematic trailer for 1943: Rise of Hydra, we follow both Captain America and Black Panther as they take down Nazis in Paris. At the same time, Captain America is hunting Black Panther, and the two heroes eventually bump heads on a bridge, but we all know they will eventually team up at some point in the game.
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We have no idea how this game will play, but the trailer has already hooked us.
Gamers Are H Y P E D
Gamers on X, formerly Twitter, have been sharing their reactions, specifically showing love to actor Khary Payton (The Walking Dead), who plays TâChallaâs grandfather Azuri, who carries the Black Panther mantle in the game.
We also have to salute the fact that we have not one, not two, but three lead Black protagonists in a AAA video game.
What a time to be alive.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra will be released in 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Sorry, Nintendo Switch owners, you cannot take this ride.
You can see more reactions to the game in the gallery below.
2. SAY LESS!
3. We do too.
4. Yes, yes it is.
5. Video games have come a loooooonnnnnngggggg way.
6. Heâs incredible
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In the early hours of New Yearâs Day, a crazed driver in New York City injured a number of people on the streets of Manhattan in an attempt to evade police. As it turns out, one of those injured in the incident was Black Panther actress, Carrie Bernans.
According to the New York Daily News, Bernans was badly injured in the midtown melee caused by 44-year-old Mohamed Alaouie after he hopped in his SUV and tried to avoid being arrested after witnesses say he assaulted his girlfriend in plain view on 33rd Street and 7th Avenue. When pedestrians intervened and flagged down police, Alaouie put the pedal to the metal and made a break for it. In the process, he injured multiple police officers, crashed into a few cars and ultimately slammed into a halal truck on West 34th Street near 9th Avenue around 1:45 a.m.
Unfortunately, Carrie Bernans and her friends were taking cover behind said halal truck and took the brunt of the impact from the crash.
The New York Daily News reports:
âA car was trying to get away from the cops chasing him,â Hansson wrote in her own hospital bed Instagram post. âHe was recklessly driving into other cars and we were hiding behind a food truck.â
She said the car drove âfull speed into the truckâ and knocked her and Bernans to the ground, where they lay unconscious. A third woman with them who was not struck helped them, she added.
Hanssonâs post was accompanied by pictures of her wearing a neck brace below her bloodied face.
But it was Bernans who got the worst of it. Several of her bones were broken and several teeth were chipped in the crash, grisly photos posted on social media show.
The new motherâs family posted a GoFundMe page soliciting donations to pay for medical bills, physical rehabilitation and child care to help with her 8-month-old baby.
She said she is unable to breastfeed her little baby boy, who was not with her at the time of the incident.
Ultimately, Alaouie was taken into police custody and is facing multiple accounts of assault, attempted murder of a police officer, and of course, reckless driving along with drug possession charges. Judging from the witnesses on hand, heâs more than likely going to be found guilty of everything heâs been slapped with.
Carrie Bernansâ mother posted a picture of her daughterâs injuries on Instagram. She thanked everyone for their support and stated that this tragedy only reinforced her faith in the Almighty. âThis setback hasnât deterred her belief that something remarkable is still being crafted by God. Despite the injuries sustained in the collision caused by a hit-and-run in NYC, sheâs filled with hope and faith in the unfolding of a beautiful new chapter. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she navigate this path toward recovery and new beginnings,â Bernansâ mother wrote.
Prayers up for Carrie Bernans and her family as she recovers from this traumatic incident.
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Source: Marvel / Disney
Whoâs ready to return to Marvelâs Wakanda? We know we are.
According to The Verge, Disney has announced a bevy of new Marvel shows and series that are set to hit Disney+ in 2024 and among them is a brand new animated series revolving around the legend of The Black Panther and his kingdom of Wakanda dubbed The Eyes of Wakanda. Though other animated shows include the second season of What IfâŠ?, X-Men â97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, people are really excited about The Eyes of Wakanda as it will explore the history of the brave warriors who have taken on the mantle of the Protector of Wakanda throughout the ages and showcase their individual stories.
The Verge reports:
Rather than focusing on a singular Black Panther, The Eyes of Wakanda will tell the stories of multiple warriors who âhave been tasked to travel the world retrieving dangerous vibranium artifactsâ from different points in the nationâs history.
In the wake of Chadwick Bosemanâs death in 2020, Marvel was forced to switch gears abruptly with its live-action Black Panther films in which Letitia Wrightâs Shuri has since taken over the titular mantle. Though Black Panther: Wakanda Forever established a new status quo for the films, itâs been unclear how long that might last given the larger multiversal rumbling in Marvelâs Cinematic Universe. That could be explored in The Eyes of Wakanda, especially considering how keen Marvelâs been on having its animated shows connect to its live-action projects lately. But it sounds like weâre still a ways out from Marvel and Disney giving everyone a better sense of what the show will bring to the table.
We. Canât. Wait.
No word on when Marvelâs Eyes of Wakanda will hit Disney+ but best believe weâll be tuning in once it does because if Wakanda Forever proved anything on Disney+, itâs that people have an appetite for all things Black Panther related.
Are yâall looking forward to Eyes of Wakanda? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: EA/ Cliffhanger Games / Black Panther
Itâs official, de Bleck Pantha is getting his own standalone video game.
Wakanda Forever!
On the heels of the 57th anniversary of the Black Pantherâs Marvel Comicsâ debut, Monday, July 10, Cliffhanger Games, a new studio, is working on a third-person video game for the iconic superhero.
Reports of TâChallaâs standalone video game adventure first hit the internet in July 2022. Now we know the new triple-A development studio based in Seattle is up to delivering a Black Panther video game that will hopefully be up in the ranks with other Marvel video games like Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and criminally slept on Guardians of The Galaxy.
Per Marvel, the studioâs mission âis to build an expansive and reactive world that empowers players to experience what it is like to take on the mantle of Wakandaâs protector, the Black Panther.â
Development on the game will be led by Kevin Stephens (Monolith Productions), with a team full of talent who worked on popular titles like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Halo Infinite, God of War, Call of Duty, and others.
âWeâre dedicated to delivering fans a definitive and authentic Black Panther experience, giving them more agency and control over their narrative than they have ever experienced in a story-driven video game. Wakanda is a rich Super Hero sandbox, and our mission is to develop an epic world for players who love Black Panther and want to explore the world of Wakanda as much as we do,â said Stephens.
Cliffhanger Games & Marvel Are Working Closely Together On Black Panther
When it comes to comic book IP, fans are demanding to please because they expect either the movies, original series, or games to meet the standards of the comics.
Smith ensures they will hit that mark, confirming Cliffhanger Games and Marvel have been working closely together on the game, stating âto ensure that we craft every aspect of Wakanda, its technology, its heroes, and our own original story with the attention to detail and authenticity that the world of Black Panther deserves.â
He continues, âItâs an incredibly rare opportunity to build a new team around the values of diversity, collaboration, and empowerment,â said Kevin. âWe want our game to enable players to feel what itâs like to be worthy of the Black Panther mantle in unique, story-driven ways, and we want Cliffhanger Games to empower everyone on our team as we collaborate to bring this amazing world to life.â
Reception To The News
Unsurprisingly, fans are happy to hear about Black Panther officially getting a video game. Take that superhero fatigue. We got a taste of what itâs like to control King TâChalla in Crystal Dynamicâs disappointing Marvelâs Avengers in a well-received War For Wakanda expansion.
There is also the news of the mysterious Captain America and Black Panther video game.
If we have any concerns, we want to see all of the Black and Brown video game development talent working on this title, and itâs only fitting. Now when it comes to that, the pickings are slim. We know that we are not naive, but they are out there, and to see concerted effort would be very much appreciated.
So far, it looks like Cliffhanger Games is on the right track. Jercye Dianingana, a 3D Senior Environment Artist II at Cliffhanger Games, was happy to reveal he was working on the Black Panther game.
We love to see it because we are rooting for everyone Black. ALWAYS!
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: EA/ Cliffhanger Games / Black Panther
2. Letâs gooooo
4. The deets
5. This better not be the case
6. We all are.
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With the commercial success of Ryan Cooglerâs Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, itâs a no brainer that Marvel Studios would green light a third installment into the beloved film franchise. According to the filmâs star, Letitia Wright, it may already be happening.
Before attending last nightâs Golden Globe Awards in LA, the new protector of Wakanda spoke with Variety for a Digital Pre-show interview. When she was asked whether she thought Marvel Studios would be moving forward with a threequel to the Black Panther series, Letitia Wright revealed that a threequel may already be in the making as we speak.
âI think itâs already in the works,â Wright replied. âYou know, we just had a terrific two years of bringing it out and everybody coming together to support it. We need a little bit of a break, we need to regroup and [director] Ryan [Coogler] needs to get back into the lab, so itâs going to take a little while, but weâre really excited for you guys to see that.â
When pressed for more, Wright said, âI always try to do positive words and positive thinking, and I believe that good words manifest, so Iâm manifesting a âBlack Panther 3,â why not?â
Why not indeed. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever just broke a box office record for a superhero film with a female lead when it grossed $431.5 million domestically ($831 million worldwide), beating out both Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman in the process. Men lie, women lie, but numbers donât and needless to say, Marvel wonât be ignoring those kind of numbers knowing whatâs a stake for its future.
Though director/writer, Ryan Coogler has previously stated that he had âno ideaâ what he planned on doing for a third installment to Black Panther, Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige has said heâs had conversations with Coogler about Black Panther 3 with âideas pitched back and forth.â
Following the sudden passing of Chadwick Boseman, fans were wondering not only how theyâd reference the absence of Tâchalla/Black Panther (Boseman) in Black Panther 2, but if theyâd have a male lead replace him as the classic superhero. As it turns out, the mantle was passed on to TâChallaâs sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright) who did an exceptional job as the protector of Wakanda.
As to where Coogler would go with a third Black Panther and who would be chosen to be the antagonist for the film is anyoneâs guess at this point. With rumors that the devilish Mephisto will be the villain for Disney+âs upcoming Ironheart series, maybe his magically enhanced disciple, Reverend Achebe may actually make his MCU debut in the near future. Just a thought.
Who or what would you like to see in a potential Black Panther 3? Let us know in the comments section below.
Today (Nov. 11), the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2018 blockbuster film Black Panther, called Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, reaches theaters in the United States. But already, its soundtrack â released today through Roc Nation/Def Jam/Hollywood Records â is making waves: its lead single, âLift Me Upâ by Rihanna, debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100 this week, the elusive singerâs 32nd top 10 record and first since 2017, and became just the fourth song this century to debut in the top 10 of the all-format Radio Songs chart.
Itâs a considerable success, not just for Rihanna but for the Wakanda soundtrack as a whole, which is full of artists from Nigeria, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S. and blends local language music and artists with the cultural connectivity of the film â and helps Def Jamâs executive vp/chief creative officer and one of the producers of the project, Archie Davis, earn the title of Billboardâs Executive of the Week.
âThereâs a spiritual connection with this song and the conviction in Rihannaâs delivery that engages listeners,â Davis says about âLift Me Up.â âI think once audiences see the film, theyâll feel that energy even more.â
Here, Davis tells Billboard about putting the soundtrack together, the impact of Rihannaâs involvement, as well as that of filmmaker Ryan Coogler, composer and producer Ludwig Göransson, and late Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman, and the strategies behind marketing soundtrack albums as opposed to an artistâs album. âA great soundtrack reminds you of a film, but a great album feels so vivid that you can almost see it play out in your head,â he says. âWe try to do both.â
This week, the lead single from the Wakanda Forever soundtrack, Rihannaâs âLift Me Up,â debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became just the fourth song this century to debut in the top 10 of the Radio Songs chart. What key decision did you make to help make that happen?
It was a team effort, one thousand percent. It was important we set up the release properly on such a short timeline. A key component was carrying this record on tour around the world to make sure the right people heard it before it was released. Shout out to our radio teams at both Def Jam and Roc Nation for working tirelessly, leaving no stone unturned. All the records that our radio teams broke helped pave the way for us to debut in the fashion we did. The music video was also an integral component, which we shot on the Monday of release week and had out by that Friday. It was a complete effort by everyone to help us debut âLift Me Upâ with real impact.
This is Rihannaâs first song as a lead artist since 2016. How did you get her involved in this project?
I give all credit to the filmmaker for connecting with her when she saw the film. I think that helped move her emotionally to even want to be part of this project. Kudos to Ryan Coogler and Ludwig GoÌransson, and a million praises to Tems, Rihanna, Tunji, Wale, Davies, Jay Brown, Omar Grant, Shari Bryant, and the whole Roc Nation team for pulling it together. I also think, in a way, a lot of this came from Chad.
What was it about this song that you felt resonated so well, not just for the film but also among music fans?
Its relatability. The lyrics âLift me up / hold me down, keep me close / safe and sound.â There are so many people we wish we could say that to. Those are words we tell our children, wish our ancestors could say to us, maybe even pray at times. Thereâs a spiritual connection with this song and the conviction in Rihannaâs delivery that engages listeners. I think once audiences see the film, theyâll feel that energy even more.
What did you want to get across with this soundtrack?
We wanted this project to be an immersive audio experience. I see the music existing as an invisible character, an extension of Wakandan culture that can be heard sonically and felt emotionally. These songs are all tied to emotions in a way Iâve never seen done before in a film. Thereâs an intentionality behind all the music, and my hope is audiences will be equally submersed in the music as they are experiencing the film. The two entities work hand in hand. There are a few different languages on the soundtrack, but those willing to research will find easter eggs through the music.
This album features a slew of Nigerian and Mexican artists, as well as American and British hip-hop artists. How did you choose who was involved and how did you make sure that it all fit together?
I think we chose by prioritizing authenticity to the story and understanding the nature of our platform. For example, while exploring Mayan Mexican culture it was important to choose artists that could relay such a precious identity. However, thatâs not to say we couldnât hear an artist like Rema shine the way he does on âPanteraâ alongside Aleman. This is where Ludwigâs genius presents itself. He was learning how to construct these sounds with producers from their respective cultures while simultaneously experimenting. Authenticity was paramount. We also wanted to make sure the voices of many, even some that are lesser known, were represented. To think this movie and music would only resonate in the U.S. wouldâve been a disservice.
Soundtracks can be hit or miss on the charts â some come and go, but some become massive hits. What goes into making a great film soundtrack that also translates to chart success?
In my opinion I believe itâs a great story, amazing narrative, and a host of incredible artists that care about the art being created. None of this can be done without amazing artists. If everyone understands the weight of the message weâre trying to convey it helps tremendously. My job is to make sure I help that message resonate within culture and the world. A massive amount of research goes into these projects, and direction from the composer and director helps as well. Weâre ultimately trying to create a world thatâs portrayed visually with music and thereâs a great level of care that goes into each project. Those are general pillars, but each project is different from the last. Being able to learn, adapt and react is important. Sometimes thereâs momentum or energy that comes from the least expected places that you must follow. It may lead to a dead end, but thereâs something to learn in that process. Being able to harness those experiences and channel it holistically with a clear vision in mind all combines to make a great soundtrack.
What goes into developing and marketing a soundtrack like this as opposed to an artistâs album?
Soundtracks are worked on by lots of people, with many influences and real deadlines. When it comes to marketing a soundtrack, I feel like youâre also marketing the community to ensure itâs surrounded by the culture being represented. I think a key difference with a soundtrack is I have a built-in story Iâm moving off of, whereas an artist is a blank canvas. An artistâs album a lot of times is someoneâs real life experience. Itâs a different conversation when you have to put your face out there as an artist. With a soundtrack like this you get to play make believe, in a way. Thereâs more room for imagination and thatâs where we can expound upon as much as possible for the audience. A great soundtrack reminds you of a film, but a great album feels so vivid that you can almost see it play out in your head. We try to do both.
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever â Music From and Inspired By soundtrack is just days away from release, and the star-studded track list unveiled on Wednesday (Nov. 2) features songs from Tems, Fireboy DML, OG DAYV, Future, CKay, PinkPantheress, E-40Â and many more.
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The soundtrack, of course, also features Rihannaâs âLift Me Up,â released just last week as a tribute to the late Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died from colon cancer in 2020 at 43.
Given the upcoming filmâs story is inspired by both Nigerian and Mesoamerican cultures, recording sessions were set up in Lagos, Nigeria; and Mexico City, Mexico; as well as Abbey Road Studios in London. Producers worked with global artists from Lagos including Tems, plus emerging rappers and artists from Mexico City, including rapper Pat Boy, who raps entirely in Mayan. Over the course of the film, the audience will hear over 250 musicians, two orchestras, two choirs and over 40 vocalists, per a press release.
âRyan [Cooler] and I talked about the importance of creating an immersive journey of sound and voice,â said co-producer Ludwig Göransson. âIf we used a song in the film, we wanted it to be the entire song, and to be connected to the story. Thematically, we wanted to move the audience from grief to celebration. When you listen to the soundtrack, you can close your eyes and relive the experience of the movie. That was the intention.â
See below for the full track listing for the soundtrack, out on Nov. 4 via Roc Nation Records/Def Jam Recordings/Hollywood Records. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on Nov. 11.
Welcome back, RiRi!
Rihanna made her much-awaited return to music on Friday (Oct. 28) with âLift Me Up,â featured on the soundtrack of the upcoming Marvel sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The arrival of the song was announced earlier this week, preceded by a series of cryptic billboards around New York and a teaser post on social media, which included the forthcoming movie title appearing onscreen before highlighting the first âRâ in âForever.â
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âLift Me Upâ was written as a tribute to the late Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died from colon cancer in 2020 at 43. Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler all have writing credits on the track.
The âLove on the Brainâ singer hasnât released an album since Anti dropped six years ago, and spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The project also featured three Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, including the No. 1 âWork,â featuring Drake. In July 2017, she hit No. 2 with Bryson Tiller on DJ Khaledâs âWild Thoughts.âÂ
While she has yet to reveal any plans for a ninth studio album, Rihannaâs break from live shows is slated to end on Feb. 12, 2023, when she headlines the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
The Wakanda Forever soundtrack â produced by Coogler, Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan â will be out next Friday (Nov. 4). Listen to Rihannaâs âLift Me Upâ below.
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