“We held the rights to Black Panther”: Wesley Snipes Lost Black Panther to Chadwick Boseman Owing to Poor Technology and Racist Politics

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It is hard to imagine a world where Chadwick Boseman did not portray the role of Black Panther in the MCU. But it could have been a possibility if Wesley Snipes would not have the roadblocks that he faced during the early 1990s.

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In an interview, the Blade actor talked about the several limitations that held him back. He even stated that they had three versions of the script of a Black Panther film but the CGI back then was nowhere close to the capabilities that it is now.

Wesley Snipes Blade
Wesley Snipes in Blade (1998)

When Wesley Snipes Could Have Been The Black Panther!

In an interview, the actor talked about the early days when a Black Panther movie would not have been possible. Wesley Snipes, who is known for portraying the iconic character of Blade in the Blade franchise also had the scripts ready for a Black Panther movie!

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Chadwick Boseman as King T'challa in a still from Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman as King T’challa in a still from Black Panther

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As per his interview with Collider, Snipes admitted to wanting to create a Black Panther movie back in the early 90s. Stating that they had loads of limitations back in the day, the actor stated that the movie was not able to take flight since the CGI technology was very backward and also there were also other factors of racism in the mix.

“That is absolutely true, and we had three scripts, three versions of scripts written when we held the rights to Black Panther. That was in the early ’90s. Maybe ’92, ’93, ’94, in that area somewhere.””We didn’t have the technology we have now. Pixar didn’t exist. None of the things, the CGI capabilities that we have now existed, and you know, people…”

He further continued,

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“Even the thought of the name Black Panther in the zeitgeist of Hollywood had a reference to the national revolutionary group versus the comic book. So it was hard to make. Long story long, we didn’t end up making it, the rights went back, converted back, and then Blade came along. [I] rocked with that.”

Following a strong base of the MCU, a solo Black Panther movie was released in 2018 which featured Chadwick Boseman in the lead role as King T’Challa.

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Wesley Snipes Supported The Black Panther Movie

Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes

Related: “Please don’t hit me in my face”: Wesley Snipes’ Martial Arts Failed Against Mike Tyson When Boxer Brutally Beat Up ‘Blade’ Actor by Shoving Him into a Bathroom

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Following the release of the 2018 movie Black Panther earning a billion dollars worldwide, Wesley Snipes had no hatred for the movie. In a different interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2018 Wesley Snipes stated that he supported the release of the movie and that he was glad that Black Panther was finally released.

“Even though I am not a part of this particular project, I support it 1,000%, and I am absolutely convinced that it will be a catalyst for change and open other doors and other opportunities.”

The actor is currently attached to two upcoming projects titled Back on the Strip and Paper Empire. Both projects are set to release sometime in 2023.

Source: Collider

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Written by Visarg Acharya

Articles Published: 2097

Visarg Acharya, Associate Content Writer, has been heavily involved in movies, series, and history. Having an experience of 2 years in the field of content writing, Visarg is a seasoned writer. Having a degree in Physics, Visarg Acharya has published a dissertation alongside a plethora of poems and short stories along the way.