'Black Panther' showcases powerful, positive female characters

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- While the title role is Marvel's latest male superhero, "Black Panther" is surrounded by strong, inspirational, smart women.

The film offers audiences plenty of action and entertainment. But it also offers social impact, by showing powerful women in key roles, and by featuring a predominantly black cast.

"I think we felt an overall sense that this is important," said Angela Bassett, who plays Black Panther's mother. "We knew it was a first, a long time coming, so that was truly exciting for us."

As the mother of 12-year-old twins, Basset is thrilled the movie offers her kids a reflection they don't often see.

"They got to see images that look like them," said Bassett. "Images of themselves. Of possibilities. Of imagination."

Showing positive, powerful female characters was important to all the women in the film.

"The idea of a little black girl feeling she can do whatever she wants to do, she feels empowered to pursue the fullest extent of her potential," said Danai Gurira, who plays General Okoye.

"She feels a little bit more able to be fierce and feminine at the same time - and there's no reason why those two things shouldn't coexist - in her little black girl body, and she can express it any way she wants. I mean, if we are able to give any little girl that sort of validation and that sort of confirmation of her worth and wanting to explore all that she can be, that's everything."

"I can only hope that when a young woman sees this film she can just feel it's possible, anything's possible," said Letitia Wright, who plays Shuri. "And she can go after what she wants to do to help contribute to the world in positive way."

"Black Panther" is rated PG-13 and is in theaters Feb. 16.