Black Panther's First Trailer Is Here: 5 Facts About the Marvel Movie

"Black Panther" has been in development since 1992

Bow down to T'Challa.

ABC premiered the first trailer for Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" during the NBA Finals on Friday. The sneak peek gave fans a look at the blockbuster before the movie claws its way into theaters on Feb. 16, 2018.

"Black Panther" follows T'Challa, the King of Wakanda, an isolated, technologically advanced African nation. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, his courage as king, and Black Panther, is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of the world at risk, Marvel Studios said in a press release. 

Chadwick Boseman returns in the role of T'Challa/Black Panther; the character made his onscreen debut last year in "Captain America: Civil War," where he initially went head-to-head with Captain America, played by Chris Evans, and other heroes, only to realize they're on the same side.

Before Black Panther hits theaters, here are five facts about the film:

1. Director Ryan Coogler assembled an all-star cast

In addition to Boseman, Angela Bassett, Sterling K. Brown, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, Danai Gurira, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong'o, Phylicia Rashad, Andy Serkis, Forest Whitaker and Letitia Wright make up the ensemble cast. And don't be surprised if at least one other character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe pops up. After all, "Black Panther" will be part of Avengers: Infinity War," premiering just two months later, on May 4, 2018.

2. "Black Panther" has been in development since 1992

Wesley Snipes announced his intention to develop and star in a movie based on the comic book character 25 years ago. Various delays, ranging from script issues to Snipes' involvement in the Blade series, plagued the project until it was shelved indefinitely. But in October 2014, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced "Black Panther" would be released on Nov. 3, 2017, with Boseman in the leading role; the release date was later pushed back three months.

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3. The movie is set in the fictional nation of Wakanda

Good luck finding Wakanda on a map—it doesn't exist. The imagined African nation was created in 1966 along with the titular character. Principal production on the movie began on Jan. 21, 2017, at EUE/Screen Gems Studios and Pinewood Atlanta Studios. Additional filming took place throughout South Korea. Filming ended after three months, on April 19, 2017.

4. Ludwig Gransson is composing the score

Director Coogler has worked with Gransson twice before, on "Fruitvale Station" (2013) and "Creed" (2015). His other movie and TV credits include Warner Bros.' "Central Intelligence," Yahoo's "Community," ABC's "Happy Endings," Fox's "New Girl" and Warner Bros.' "We're the Millers."

5. There is no sequel planned...yet

Marvel Studios has several films in the pipeline after "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War," including "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (July 6, 2018), "Captain Marvel" (March 8, 2019) and an untitled Avengers film (May 3, 2019). Two other movies—"Spider-Man: Homecoming 2" (July 5, 2019) and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" (TBD)—have been announced.

Beyond that, the film studio has not announced which of its franchises will continue.

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