“Tell Marvel to Call Me!” – Femi Adebayo Hilariously Responds to Fan Campaign for Him to Play the Next Black Panther

Nigerian actor Femi Adebayo has once again captured the hearts of fans across the internet after his witty and confident response to a fan who suggested he should be cast as the next Black Panther in Marvel Studios’ blockbuster superhero franchise. The conversation, which began as a simple tweet, has now gone viral, sparking conversations across social media about the possibility of an African actor from Nollywood stepping into one of Hollywood’s most iconic superhero roles.

It all began when a Twitter user with the handle @justXabs posted a tweet saying, “Femi Adebayo as the next Black Panther, who say no?” The post was accompanied by a picture of the actor, known for his commanding presence and regal performances in Yoruba epic films. It didn’t take long before the post began to gain traction, with thousands of likes, retweets, and fans flooding the comments section in support of the idea. Many Nigerians and Africans at large began to imagine what it would look like to see one of their own bring his cultural charisma, warrior-like energy, and Yoruba royal flair to the Marvel universe.

Not one to ignore a playful challenge, Femi Adebayo himself replied with a tweet that instantly broke the internet. He wrote, “Because if na sword, I don use am. If na jungle, I don survive am. If na kingdom, I don rule am. And if villain, dem dey learn where Agemo & Esusu dey. Tell Marvel Studios to call me!” His response was not only funny and clever but also a perfect summary of his long-standing film career, which has seen him play every kind of character from kings and warriors to hunters, sorcerers, and modern-day hustlers.

Within hours, Adebayo’s reply became a trending topic, as fans and fellow actors began to tag Marvel Studios, jokingly demanding that the studio give him a screen test for the role of the new Black Panther. Memes and fan edits began to flood X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, showing Femi in the Black Panther suit, reimagined with Yoruba-inspired royal beads and traditional attire. Some fans even began to create mock posters of “Black Panther: Rise of Agemo,” blending elements of African folklore with the Marvel superhero world.

The tweet highlighted not just Femi Adebayo’s humor but also his deep connection with African culture and cinema. The 45-year-old actor, who has starred in and produced several Yoruba-language blockbusters like King of Thieves (Agesinkole) and Jagun Jagun (The Warrior), has become one of Nollywood’s strongest ambassadors for traditional storytelling and African heroism. In many of his movies, Adebayo embodies the same characteristics that made the late Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa so beloved—courage, leadership, dignity, and an unshakable connection to his roots.

Fans quickly drew parallels between Femi’s roles and the essence of the Black Panther character. “Femi Adebayo already lives like a Wakandan,” one fan commented. “He doesn’t need CGI to fight villains; he just needs his Agemo power!” Another wrote, “Imagine Femi saying ‘Wakanda Forever’ in Yoruba… cinema go scatter!” The excitement reflected the growing global appeal of Nollywood and how African audiences are eager to see their own stars featured on international platforms.

Marvel Studios has not officially announced any plans for a new Black Panther casting, especially after the passing of Chadwick Boseman, whose performance as King T’Challa in Black Panther (2018) became a cultural phenomenon. The sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), honored Boseman’s legacy by passing the mantle to Letitia Wright’s character, Shuri, rather than recasting the role. However, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about the future of the franchise and what a new direction could look like.

Some fans believe that bringing in an African actor like Femi Adebayo could represent a powerful crossover moment between Hollywood and Nollywood. With Netflix, Amazon, and Disney expanding their presence in Africa, it’s not far-fetched to imagine collaborations where Nollywood stars appear in international blockbusters or African storylines get global adaptation. “Femi Adebayo as Black Panther would be a dream come true,” a film critic wrote online. “He embodies everything that character stands for—honor, heritage, and heroism.”

Beyond the humor, Femi’s playful response also reflects the growing confidence and ambition within the Nigerian film industry. Nollywood is no longer just a local entertainment space—it’s now a global player, producing films that reach millions of viewers worldwide. Movies like Jagun Jagun, which Adebayo produced, have received international attention for their cinematic quality, storytelling depth, and cultural authenticity. The film’s success on Netflix showed that African epics can rival global productions in scale and emotional impact.

His tweet—half joke, half statement—was a reminder that Nigerian actors are ready for global recognition. Femi Adebayo’s charisma, acting range, and ability to blend traditional African storytelling with modern filmmaking make him a natural fit for any international role. And while it’s unlikely that Marvel Studios will actually call him for the Black Panther mantle, the viral moment has already done something significant: it has sparked a broader conversation about African representation in global cinema.

The excitement around his response also underscores how much fans value authenticity. The late Chadwick Boseman’s performance resonated deeply because it drew inspiration from real African traditions, languages, and philosophies. Femi Adebayo, having spent decades portraying such elements on screen, represents a living embodiment of that spirit. He brings to life the kind of characters that reflect strength, wisdom, and pride in African identity—the same values that Black Panther celebrated on a global stage.

By the following morning, hashtags like #FemiAdebayoAsBlackPanther and #TellMarvelToCallHim were trending, with thousands of Nigerians posting fan art and videos of his previous movie scenes edited into Marvel-style trailers. Some even called for a collaboration between Marvel Studios and Nigerian filmmakers to create an African-centered superhero universe. “Imagine Femi Adebayo, Ramsey Nouah, and Genevieve Nnaji in a Marvel x Nollywood crossover,” one post read. “Africa would shake!”

Femi Adebayo, true to his humorous and humble nature, later liked several fan posts and retweeted a few creative edits. Though he hasn’t made any official statement beyond his original tweet, it’s clear that the moment has brought joy and laughter to fans at home and abroad. His response shows why he remains one of Nigeria’s most beloved actors—he understands his audience, he celebrates his culture, and he knows how to turn even a random social media suggestion into a viral cultural moment.

For now, Femi Adebayo remains Nollywood’s king of the sword and screen, a warrior in his own right, and a champion of African storytelling. Whether or not Marvel ever calls him, he’s already a superhero in the hearts of many fans—proof that sometimes, all it takes is one funny tweet to remind the world that Africa’s movie stars are ready to take on the global stage.

“Tell Marvel Studios to call me,” he said—and millions around the world are now echoing the same words.