Marvel gives fans first look at 'Black Panther,' plus official movie dates

Marvel superheroes will be invading the big screen in 2015 through 2019, including new films for Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange and the Inhumans, as well as continued storylines for the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and more.

In a press conference Tuesday during an event at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., Marvel Studios revealed official movie release dates as well as a first look at concept art for the upcoming film "Black Panther."

The fan-favorite character Black Panther joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios announced that African-American actor Chadwick Boseman will star as Black Panther with the debut of his role in Marvel's upcoming "Captain America: Civil War," in theaters May 6, 2016. Then he'll star his own solo film, "Black Panther," due in theaters on November 3, 2017.

Chadwick Boseman is best known for his portrayals of baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the movie "42" and iconic singer James Brown in the film "Get On Up."

"I'm blessed to be a part of this Marvel Universe, and to work with you both, and I look forward to making magic together," Boseman said on stage at Marvel's press event with both Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man") and Chris Evans ("Captain America").

Since Downey Jr. and Evans shared the stage during the announcement, this may be a bit of a subtle confirmation that Downey will indeed be starring alongside Evans in the next standalone "Captain America" movie he was recently reported to only be in discussions for.

Black Panther is considered to be the first black superhero in mainstream American comics -- well before the likes of Marvel's superheroes like Storm, Luke Cage and the Falcon, and predating DC Comics' Black Lightning, Green Lantern John Stewart and Tyroc.

"Black Panther and all of Wakanda is one of the most interesting characters in Marvel history," Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said. "He's a bit of a prince, he may even become a bit of a king, but it's all about how this isolationist country meets the world. Maybe it goes well, maybe it doesn't."

While fans did not get confirmation on whether the "="" casting="" rumors"="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="d0da3b1a-e3e4-43a6-a8ce-3ec3264a6f5f" slug="what-sorcery-is-this-cumberbatch-rumored-as-doctor-strange" link-text="Benedict Cumberbatch " section="news" title="What sorcery is this? Benedict Cumberbatch rumored as Doctor Strange" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":null,"slug":null,"contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{},"metaData":{}}"> were true, Marvel did give fans an official movie release date of November 4, 2016, and a confirmation of Scott Derrickson as the director.

In addition to the "Black Panther" and "Doctor Strange" news, Marvel Studios also announced film dates for "Captain America: Civil War" (May 6, 2016), "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" (May 5, 2017), "Thor: Ragnarok" (July 28, 2017), "Captain Marvel" (July 6, 2018), "Inhumans" (Nov. 2, 2018) and "Avengers: Infinity War Part 1" on May 4, 2018 and "Avengers: Infinity War Part 2" on May 3, 2019.