Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Could Launch This Christmas, Says Voice Actor

“We’re looking for just an incredible cinematic experience for everybody, and I pinch myself,” says Khary Payton, who voices Black Panther.

Skydance New Media’s Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, helmed by Uncharted creator Amy Hennig, is out this year, yet a release date remains unconfirmed. Voice actor Khary Payton, who plays Black Panther (Azzuri, the grandfather of T’Challa), has provided an update, indicating that it may be a “Christmas situation.”

Speaking to The Direct at MultiCon in Los Angeles, Payton said, “We’re still working. We’re planning on 2025…We’re thinking like a Christmas situation. But I’m so excited.” Of course, this could also mean the team is targeting the holiday season and still hasn’t narrowed down a specific date.

Later in the interview, Payton says that the team wants players to experience the game like it’s Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead.

“And to be playing him in the video game, playing his grandfather, be playing a version of Black Panther, and looking on there and seeing that it’s me… It’s like the most photo-realistic…We want people to play this game and have the entire family sit on the sofa and watch it like they’re watching ‘Game of Thrones,’ or ‘The Walking Dead,’ or something. We’re looking for just an incredible cinematic experience for everybody, and I pinch myself.”

He also promised that the experience would be “so good” and praised Hennig. “I still can’t believe that it’s happening. But it’s going to be so good. Amy Hennig, who did the ‘Uncharted’ series, was the director and writer. She is just so amazing, and I’m like, ‘Man, we couldn’t have asked for a better head of this project.’ So I know it’s taken a while, but trust me, it is going to be worth it.”

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is in development for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Set in Paris during its occupation in World War 2, it features Captain America and Black Panther working together against Hydra. Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos and Wakandan spy leader Nanali are also playable.

Hennig said the developer is “trying to do some groundbreaking stuff” with cinematically presented games, inviting the most people in by “bringing them something they already know and love, but in a new form.”