Forest Whitaker to play elder statesman Zuri in 'Black Panther'

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker has signed on to play Zuri, an elder statesman in Wakanda, in the upcoming Marvel Studios movie Black Panther.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the comic-book adaptation features Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, ruler of Wakanda and the titular hero, and Michael B. Jordan as the villainous Erik Killmonger.

Lupita Nyong'o will play Nakia and Danai Gurira will play Okoye, members of the fierce Dora Milaje, Black Panther's bodyguards. Rounding out the ensemble will be Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke and Florence Kasumba.

The film is to open in theaters on Feb. 16, 2018.

Whitaker, 55, will soon be seen in Arrival, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and The Forgiven. His other credits include Platoon, Bird, Lee Daniels' The Butler and The Last King of Scotland.