Marvel’s mind-bending Doctor Strange recently debuted at #1 in Japan, three months later than most territories got their first look at Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme. While the 14th Marvel movie continues to show in Japanese theatres, most markets are prepping for its impending Blu-ray and DVD release. Marvel has released a plenty of promotional ahead of the release, including deleted scenes which feature Mads Mikkelson’s villain, Kaecilius, reaching out to the interdimensional threat Dormammu. The studio has also revealed concept art for the visually-stunning movie, with some fiery alternative designs for the ruler of the Dark Dimension.

These features are great for fans of the psychedelic origin story, but there’s even more content attached to the Digital HD release of Doctor Strange which pertains to the Marvel Cinematic Universe at large. Captain America: Civil War left the Avengers at an impasse, while opening the larger MCU to new heroes and exotic new locales.

A host of official concept art for the upcoming Black Panther is now online thanks to a featurette included as part of Doctor Strange’s Digital HD release - and the images offer a stunning look at the reclusive African nation of Wakanda. Take a look below at the gallery of concept art that shows off Wakanda’s mesmerising architecture, as well as the warrior king T’Challa himself in action:

[vn_gallery name=“Black Panther Movie Concept Art” id=“901902”]

The environment is a fusion of Wakanda’s legendary technology and ancient African engineering. A skyline reminiscent of Dubai stretches up from terraces of houses that look to be encased in protective, transparent structures. That picture of the vaulted room with plate glass windows in one wall and ceiling height fossils embedded into another looks to be the council room of Wakanda’s tribal elders, known as the Taifa Ngao. Then there’s the image of a quarry, which makes water running over stone look like a scene from James Cameron’s Avatar. These are capped off by the Black Panther in full costume, riding on top of a car as he did during his chase scene in Civil War, standing moodily over flames in the jungle, and approaching an angular archway which manages to look ancient and futuristic at the same time.

Black Panther will see Chadwick Boseman return as T’Challa the protector of Wakanda, appearing alongside Marvel newcomers such as Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, and Forest Whitaker. Martin Freeman will be returning from his debut in Civil War as bureaucrat Everett Ross, and Andy Serkis will reprise the role of Ulysses Klaue. A full cast list and synopsis has been officially released by Marvel, but these images offer the first look at the visual direction of the film. Doctor Strange raised the bar for Marvel’s VFX, and Black Panther looks like it will continue that trend in its own unique direction.

These are only concept images, however, and the concept art released showing what’s arguably a more interesting visual depiction of Dormammu, there’s no guarantee that the finished product will actually depict these unique images. It’s a fantastic early look at the possible future of Phase 3, however, which is already proving to be the biggest and boldest phase in the MCU thus far.

Source: Marvel [via Twitter, 2]

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