Five Reasons I’m Excited About Winston Duke’s Role in Black Panther

Five Reasons I’m Excited About Winston Duke’s Role in Black Panther

I’ve been excited about Black Panther since Chadwick Boseman was cast in the role. He’s currently my favorite actor, so I’ve been waiting to see in this film. Black Panther is groundbreaking in Hollywood for so many reasons. It’s a film that people in my community has been waiting on for a very long time. As excited as I am about Chadwick Boseman, a new actor in the film has me just as excited for a lot of different reasons.

Winston Duke is a newcomer in the film world. You may know him from his role in television series such as Person of Interest and The Messengers. Duke was will star as M’Baku in the upcoming Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. M’Baku was one of Wakanda’s most powerful warriors and one of T’Challa’s biggest rivals, in the comic books.

Marvel and the Man-Ape Dilemma

I applaud Marvel for having the insight to find an appropriate way to portray the Man-Ape without being insensitive to Black culture and people. Marvel wanted to make sure people understood that culturally the people of Wakanda worshiped the animals of their respective tribes. Instead of making the character look like an ape or dress him up as one Marvel when with a more armored look with elements of gorillas. It makes me excited because we get not one but two strong African men with a different point of views fighting for their people.

He Could Be a Likeable Villain

According to Black Panther Director Ryan Coogler, it’s difficult to tell who’s a good guy in the film. I think M’Baku could be one of those villains you actually like. Although M’Baku becomes one of Black Panther’s biggest foes, ultimately he’s fighting for what he believes is best for the people of Wakanda.

We Meet the Jabari Tribe

M’Baku is the leader of the Jabari tribe who worships the Gorilla Gods. They are against Wakanda being a part of the United Nations and prefer when their country was more primitive and unknown. The Jabari have removed themselves from mainstream Wakanda because they wanted to worship the outlawed White Gorilla God.

M’Baku is a Leader in his Own Right

Like I mentioned before Black Panther brings us not one but two powerful black warriors. Aside from Black Panther, M’Baku is a leader in his own right. Wakanda actually has several tribe leaders with T’Challa serving as the king of the North African Nation.

Duke is a Trinbagonian

My number one reason for being excited about Duke’s character has nothing to do with his role in the movie at all but his heritage. Duke was born in Tobago and imigrated to the US at the age of eleven. I was born in Trinidad the sister isle of Tobago. You’ve probably heard of the counties mentioned as Trinidad and Tobago. It’s very exciting to me because there are very few stars in Hollywood that are from the twin isles. I’ve been telling all my Trinidian peeps to be sure to check out the movie just because of Duke, despite his role as a villain. Regardless of how the film goes, a small part of me will be cheering for M’Baku.

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER opens in theaters everywhere on February 16th!

Check out the newest trailer for the upcoming film and be sure to pick up your advanced tickets on sale now.