John Boyega Black Panther Rumors Not True?

It’s been an exciting few weeks for fans of Marvel’sBlack Panther, followingChadwick Boseman' MCU debut inCaptain America: Civil War, along with new cast members being added to the stand alone movie. We have recently reported thatStar Wars: The Force AwakensstarLupita Nyong’ois being eyed to play the romantic interest forChadwick Boseman’s T’challa, whileMichael B. Jordanhas also signed on to star, reuniting with hisFruitvale StationandCreeddirectorRyan Coogler. Last week, Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feigeteased that 90% of theBlack Panthercast would be comprised of African-American actors. And just yesterday, a new rumor surfaced thatJohn Boyegawas being eyed for an unspecified role. Unfortunately, it seems that rumor may not be true after all.

The rumor started whenJohn Boyegaposted a photo labeled “Meeting” on his Snapchat account, and shortly thereafter, the actor was followed on Twitter by Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feige. Naturally, the actor didn’t clarify what he was meeting for, or who he was meeting with, but a report surfaced yesterday that claimedJohn Boyegawas meeting with Marvel for a role inBlack Panther.Birth.Movies.Deathreached out to three separate sources withinMarvel, all of whom stated thatJohn Boyegais not in talks for theBlack Panther movie. Each of these unnamed sources agreed that they’d love to work withJohn Boyegain the future, but it’s not happening forBlack Panther.

Kevin Feigedid confirm last month thatBlack Pantherwill start production in early 2017, with directorRyan Cooglerworking on the script, which was originally written byJoe Robert Cole(American Crime Story). Nothing is known about the story forBlack Pantheryet, but we got our first look at thisiconic character’s homeland of Wakanda in one of the post credit scenes inCaptain America: Civil War. That scene featured The Winter Soldier being voluntarily put into a containment facility inWakanda, which ended with a glimpse at the lush Wakandan scenery, including a number of massive panther statues.

As forJohn Boyega, the actor is currently in the U.K. filmingStar Wars: Episode VIII, which has already passed the halfway point in the production. The actor will next be seen later this year in the upcoming thrillerThe Circle, where he stars alongsideTom HanksandEmma Watson, although a release date has not yet been determined. He will also most likely return as Finn forStar Wars: Episode IX, which is slated for release in 2019. But we don’t know when shooting will begin on that highly-anticipated sequel.

We don’t know for sure how many more main characters are still needed to fill out the cast, but with several months left until shooting begins, there’s still plenty of time left to assemble the full cast. Birth.Movies.Death acknowledges that things may change at Marvel, and the studio may eventually eyeJohn Boyegafor some sort of role inBlack Panther, but for now, he isn’t being sought out. Stay tuned for more updates onBlack Pantheris we get closer to filming starting in early 3017.