'Avengers 2' News: Will The Black Panther Appear In 'Age Of Ultron?' Film May Shoot Scenes In South Africa [VIDEO]
The Avengers: Age of Ultron may make good on South African filming rumors, according to recent reports.
While the Marvel Studios Phase Two capstone project will begin production at England's Shepperton Studios early this year, it appears the superhero film will be leaving the U.K. behind for a little while since J.P. van der Merwe, a South African casting director, is now attached to the project, according to Comic Book Movie.
What exactly could this mean for the plot of Age of Ultron? Many sources are speculating that the new setting is a perfect segue through which to introduce the Black Panther, whose fictional nation, Wakanda, is located in Africa. The superhero would then be able to slot into the film since Vibranium - the incredibly durable material that comprises Captain America's shield and is canonically part of Ultron's suit - comes from Wakanda, according to Science Fiction.
The possibility of a Black Panther apperance feeds into recent speculation that there may be a Black Panther solo film planned for Marvel's Phase Three. Although there has been no official confirmation of such a project, Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios president of production, has stated that it is a distinct possibility.
'Avengers 2' Trailer: Baron Von Strucker Casting, Intersects With Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch? VIDEO
"In terms of Black Panther, it's absolutely in development, and when you have something as rich as Wakanda and [Black Panther's] backstory - and clearly, Vibranium's been introduced in the universe already - I don't know when it will be exactly but certainly we have plans to bring him to life someday," Feige said, according to Science Fiction.
The Avengers: Age of Ultron is set to hit theaters on May 1, 2015.
