Djimon Hounsou has been signed to voice the title character in the upcoming BET TV Black Panther animated series (see “BET Plans Black Panther”), according to Variety.   Hounsou has been twice nominated for the Oscar for best supporting actor, most recently for Blood Diamond.   

Hounsou told Variety, “It’s a blessing for African Americans and minorities to have a superhero they can identify with.” 

The film will be based on Reginald Hudlin issues of the comic series from 2005 (see “Hudlin to Continue to Write Black Panther”).  Hudlin, who championed the series at the network, has since left (see “Reginald Hudlin Leaving BET”).