Michael B Jordan was a mix of excitement and nerves as he took his seat alongside friends, family and cast-mates at the Los Angeles premiere of Marvel's new The Avengers' spin-off film, Black Panther.
Set in Africa, Black Panther stars a largely black cast headed by Chadwick Boseman, Jordan, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Kaluuya and Angela Bassett and was directed by Ryan Coogler, best known for acclaimed films Fruitvale Station and Creed.
"It was like, man, this is what it feels like," Jordan, who plays the villain Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in the film, said.
"You're seeing yourself on screen, not me personally, but people who looked like you, empowered and having socially relevant themes in a movie that you want to sit down and watch."
Boseman plays T'Challa, a young African prince who becomes king of the secret nation of Wakanda and the superhero Black Panther.
Marvel first introduced Black Panther into its comics in 1966 and Boseman made his debut in the latest The Avenger films in 2016 in Captain America: Civil War.
Coogler said the 40 friends and family he invited to the premiere were excitedly shouting at the screen.
Bassett and Nyong'o also pointed to the strong female roles in the film.
"In African culture they feel there is no king without a queen and this film highlights the theme," Bassett said.
"I was so proud to have my daughter and son at the premiere because in their faces and in their spirits they were feeling themselves and stood taller."
Black Panther opened in Australia on Thursday (Feb 15).
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