Marvel Studios already has a rather full slate, with Iron Man 3 currently in production, and Thor 2 and Captain America 2 just around the corner. A new report suggests that they aren't slowing down any time soon, though, with Black Panther eyed as the next Marvel movie to go into production after these other sequels wrap up.

Back in January 2011, Marvel hired Mark Bailey to write the screenplay for Black Panther. Insiders claim that the story is "fantastic," although it isn't known if the studio has reached out to any directors just yet. The project is being seen as Marvel's effort to cater to an 'urban' audience.

We reported last August that Marvel Studios slated an unspecified movie for release on May 16, 2014. While there has been no confirmation, it remains entirely possible that Black Panther may be the mystery movie in question for that slot.

The character is the chieftan of the Panther Clan in the fictional African country of Wakanda. His powers are derived from a special herb that grants him superhuman strength, speed, and stamina. Marvel has previously dropped some hints about this long-awaited project in Iron Man 2, where the map of Wakanda was briefly displayed. The shield in Captain America: The First Avenger is made from Vibranium, an element found in Wakanda.