Chiwetel Ejiofor

Director John Singleton hasn’t even started production on his latest project, Tulia, and fanboys everywhere are already asking, "What’s next?" Little wonder — Singleton is attached to direct adaptations of two popular Marvel Comics titles: Luke Cage and The Black Panther. Though he won’t say which one he’ll do first, Singleton is more than happy to discuss other details, including which actors he’d like to see suit up in the lead roles.

While Tyrese Gibson remains the clear favorite to play Luke Cage (thanks largely to his profile-elevating turn in the blockbuster Transformers), the ideal choice for The Black Panther remains unclear. Up until now, much of the speculation regarding who might play the Panther has centered on multiple Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou — an obvious choice, given that the character is African and that the Benin-bred Hounsou is the most prominent African actor working in Hollywood today.

In a recent exclusive interview with ReelzChannel.com, Singleton added another name to the list. "Chiwetel Ejiofor could do it," Singleton volunteered, referring to the acclaimed star of Talk to Me and Children of Men. Born in Great Britain to Nigerian parents, Ejiofor has the pedigree as well as the acting chops to handle the Panther role. And anyone who’s seen Serenity (all seven of you) knows he can handle action. Just ask the browncoats.