LEGO Marvel 76215 Black Panther has a secret for the people building it

LEGO 76215 Black Panther – a massive bust of the Marvel Comics character – has a hidden tribute to the actor who put him on the map.

As Black Panther: Wakanda Forever drops in cinemas today, LEGO fans may be turning to the accompanying LEGO tie-in sets. Three minifigure-scale sets link directly to the film’s events, letting you pick up characters such as Namor, M’Baku and Ironheart in LEGO form for the first time.

If your tastes run a little more expensive, you might want to consider 76215 Black Panther instead. This massive set recreates the upper body of Wakanda’s protector, taking inspiration from the character’s early appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its interior elements pay subtle tribute to Wakanda itself, but it turns out there’s another movie reference to be found here. Spoilers ahead…

Brickset’s review of 76215 Black Panther reveals that the initials of Chadwick Boseman are assembled (and concealed) inside the Black Panther’s head during the building process. Chadwick Boseman famously portrayed T’Challa in a number of Marvel superhero movies, as well as the animated series What If…? on Disney+. The actor tragically died in 2020 of colon cancer, with various tributes to him within and without Marvel media.

Now it seems the LEGO Group has seen fit to include one themselves – echoing sets such as 40497 Halloween Owl, which include hidden designs in their builds. However – while it’s a charming and subtle addition – it might not be enough to seal the deal for Marvel fans. 76215 Black Panther commands an unusually high price tag of £299.99 / $349.99 / €349.99, and with the likes of 76178 Daily Bugle available at the same price point, 76215 Black Panther may be unusually difficult to justify as a result. Early critical reactions certainly seem to bear that out.

In any case, you can find the set now at LEGO.com – and picking it up from here will also bag you a free fleece blanket, which will surely come in handy over the next few months. You’ve only got until the end of today to redeem that offer, though, so move fast if you’re interested.

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