Entertainment

Forest Whitaker joins Marvel's Black Panther film

Marvel says Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker is joining the cast of Black Panther.

Oscar winner will portray an elder statesman alongside stars Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan in 2018 film

Forest Whitaker is coming to the Marvel's Black Panther, set to be released in February of 2018. (Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press)

Forest Whitaker is coming to the Marvelverse.

Marvel says the Oscar-winning actor is joining the cast of Black Panther. Whitaker will portray an elder statesman named Zuri from the fictional nation of Wakanda.

Chadwick Boseman was introduced as Wakanda ruler T'Challa earlier this year in Captain America: Civil War.

The character of Zuri in the comics was a loyal ally of T'Challa's father and a fierce warrior.

Other cast members in the stand-alone Black Panther film include Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke and Florence Kasumba.

The Last King of Scotland and Roots star will next be seen Dec. 16 in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Rebel leader Saw Gerrera.

Black Panther is set for release Feb. 16, 2018.