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BET Networks and Marvel Animation have tapped big-screen thesp Djimon Hounsou ("Blood Diamond") to give voice to the title character in the cable net's upcoming animated skein, "The Black Panther."

The series will be adapted from six issues of the Marvel comic of the same name, which were penned in 2005 by director, producer ("The Boondocks," "House Party") and former BET president Reginald Hudlin.

"It's a blessing for African Americans and minorities to have a superhero they can identify with," said Hounsou of the character, which was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, debuted in 1966 in a Fantastic Four comic and later headlined his own volumes beginning in 1973.

"The Black Panther" is Marvel's entrée into prime-time animation, and Djimon raises the bar for all involved as we bring the best in the animation business together to execute that vision," commented Marvel Animation prexy Eric Rollman.