How Chadwick Boseman Created His Black Panther Accent and How He Was Meant to Play the Role

Chadwick Boseman’s debut into the superhero genre is with Captain America: Civil War. In the film, he will be playing Black Panther/T’Challa, a superhero who originates from the fictional African country called Wakanda. Because of this, the 39-year-old actor needed to have an accent that’s unique to the region.

In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, Boseman explained how he first had to test the accent before using it for the film.

The actor said:

You know how comedians will do a small comedy club before you do the big show? I did an independent film called Message from the King, and I play a South African coming to L.A., a fish out of water story.

So I used that as my small comedy club performance to find my dialect coach, to find my base for an authentic African dialect.

Of course, Kimmel was quick to point out that a real place called Wakanda exists in Illinois near Wisconsin, adding that Boseman could have just used a Wisconsin accent for the role.

Take a look at the interview:

During the appearance on the late night show, Boseman also recalled how a security guard placed a 1970s original issue of Black Panther in his trailer with the note: “I believe you’re going to be Black Panther.”

This took place a year prior to his casting announcement for Captain America: Civil War.

As if that wasn’t enough, the actor experienced another strange premonition experience related to the role after Marvel contacted him for it. The actor said he was in a car with representatives when “the driver stops at this antique shop, and in the front window there were all these panthers in the window.”

It seems that Marvel really made the right casting decision with Boseman. Early last month, it was reported thatfans cried on the set of Civil Warwhen they saw the superhero for the first time. It’s not everyday that an actor can place so much impact on fans when they portray a character’s role. This makes us just even more excited to see Civil War and the Black Panther solo film.

Captain America: Civil War hits theaters on May 6. Meanwhile, Black Panther is set for release on July 6, 2018.

Read: Kevin Smith Says Captain America: Civil War is The Greatest Comic Book Movie Ever Made

Read: Captain America: Civil War End Credits Scene Revealed

Read: Chadwick Boseman Explains Black Panther’s “Main Difference” From the Rest of the Avengers