Skydance New Media gave fans their first glimpse at its new narrative adventure game, which sees players travel back to WW2 to fight Hydra as Captain America and Black Panther. They are not alone, however, as Cap will be joined by Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos and Black Panther is joined by Nanali, leader of the Wakandan Spy Network.
Because of the current MCU emphasis on the Multiverse and how Black Panther is not typically associated with WW2, fans would be forgiven if they thought this Black Panther was T'Challa. He is not. As many fans know, Black Panther is a mantle passed down through Wakanda, with T'Challa inheriting it from his father and his father inheriting it from his.
Skydance's Marvel Game: Azzuri is T'Challa's Grandfather
Skydance New Media has confirmed that this Black Panther is based on the comic King Azzuri, although it's not clear if he's both King and Black Panther here. Azzuri is T'Challa's grandfather in the comics and the Black Panther during WW2, so as far as comic accuracy goes, two out of three things are currently confirmed. It doesn't seem to be a straight retelling, however, as Nanali plays a bigger role in the comics.
There's a comic storyline involving Black Panther and Wakanda, where Colonel Klaue leads a mission to Wakanda during WW2. There, he comes into conflict with the king of Wakanda, Azzuri, and his queen, Nanali. She doesn't seem to be the queen in this game, emphasizing it as a retelling than a straight adaptation, but it could be this game tells of a romance between Azzuri and Nanali. Their relationship with T'Challa is interesting, but so is their relationship with each other and Captain America.
Assuming the game is loosely based on this era, King Azzuri did not trust America or Germany to begin with, as they both sought vibranium for the war effort. He put the defense of Wakanda before all else, which may be what "two worlds" references in the game. This initial impasse between Azzuri and America/Captain America seems to be emphasized by the Black Panther scratch on Cap's shield in the trailer. However, the two would become allies and friends, with Black Panther believing Cap would go on to symbolize America just as he did Wakanda (which did, of course, happen).
Many may, at first glance, think of Nanali and Gabriel Jones as odd picks. But, for a narrative adventure game, there is a ton of potential with Skydance reaching so deeply into the comic vaults.
Skydance's Captain America and Black Panther game is in development.