Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis reprising Marvel roles in Black Panther

Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis are taking on key roles in the upcoming Black Panther.

Marvel Studios has confirmed that the actors will star in the Ryan Coogler-directed film, with Freeman reprising his part as Everett K. Ross from Captain America: Civil War, while Serkis is returning as Ulysses Klaue, the character he played in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The duo joins the previously announced cast of Chadwick Boseman, who portrays the titular superhero, as well as Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett.

Marvel has also stated that the film shoot will be taking place in Atlanta, Georgia and South Korea.

Based on the Marvel comic that first appeared in Fantastic Four Vol. 1 published in 1966, Black Panther is part of the studio's plan to introduce new superheroes over the course of nine films in the next four years. In an official plot summary for the widely anticipated flick, Marvel explained that the narrative will follow Black Panther, also known as T'Challa, who after the events of Captain America: Civil War, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as king.

"However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T'Challa's mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk," the synopsis reads.

Coogler co-wrote the Black Panther screenplay with The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story writer Joe Robert Cole. The director has employed an experienced crew for the project, including several frequent collaborators, such as Oscar-winning make-up designer Joel Harlow, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick and Selma costume designer Ruth E. Carter.

Black Panther is set for release in February next year (18).