National Superhero Day 2024: 11 Times Black Celebrities Elevated the Sci-Fi Universe
Written by Site Hub on April 29, 2024
This National Superhero Day 2024, here’s 11 iconic superheroes portrayed by Black celebrities who made the significant contributions to the sci-fi universe:
Black Panther: Played by Chadwick Boseman in 2018, Black Panther showcased the possibilities of Black leadership in superhero narratives.
Meteor Man: Portrayed by Robert Townsend in 1993 (who wrote, directed and produced the film), Meteor Man is a school teacher turned superhero who unites local gangs to fight crime.
Storm: Halle Berry brought Storm to life in the “X-Men” series, a mutant who controls the weather.
Blade: Wesley Snipes played the vampire hunter in the trilogy that broadened the appeal of Black-led superhero films.
Black Lightning: Cress Williams starred as a high school principal by day and the electrifying superhero by night in the CW series.
Catwoman: Halle Berry portrayed this feline vigilante in the 2004 film, and has spoken of her desire to redo the role with “Catwoman saving the world.”
Nick Fury: Samuel L. Jackson has been a longstanding figure in the Marvel Universe, portraying the leader who assembles the Avengers in 11 of the franchise’s films since 2008.
Okoye: Danai Gurira played “one of Wakanda’s greatest warriors”, and has recently hinted at a potential spin-off of her character.
Luke Cage: Mike Colter brought this street-smart superhero to life, protecting Harlem in this Marvel series in 2016.
Shuri: Letitia Wright played the tech-genius sister of Black Panther, portraying a new kind of youthful heroism in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Dr. Manhattan: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Emmy award-winning portrayal in “Watchmen” highlighted themes of racial trauma and empowerment.
Source: BET
