Actresses warp through galaxies, aid superheroes and battle zombies in sci-fi and post-apocalyptic movies and TV shows

As unprecedented anticipation builds for Marvel’s next big blockbuster film, “Black Panther” – which has already broken advance ticket sales records – fans anticipate seeing a bevy of acclaimed black actresses, including Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira, light up the big screen on Feb. 16.

The excellence, power and beauty of “black girl magic” will be on full display in the Ryan Coogler-helmed film, which will become part of a decades-long history of black actresses making splashes in science fiction and post-apocalyptic genres – on the big and small screens.

This can be traced to Nichelle Nichols, considered the first black woman in sci-fi because of her groundbreaking role in the seminal 1960s television series “Star Trek,” in which she portrayed communications officer Lt. Nyota Uhura. Leslie Uggams – another pioneer in that golden era of television – has a new fan base and an unexpected career resurgence thanks to 2016’s “X-Men” spinoff “Deadpool.”

“Well, let me just say that, especially with the men, they just love Blind Al,” the showbiz legend said of her foul-mouthed, cynical character with superpowers of her own.

“I've got all these fans, from little boys — who I was shocked they were even going to see the movie — from 8 years old, and up. … I also get a lot of senior citizens who've come to me, whose sons and daughters have said, ‘Ma, Dad, you’ve gotta go see this movie.’"

The Ryan Reynolds-led comical comic flick went on to become a sleeper hit – grossing a whopping $783 million internationally and becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.

“Deadpool 2” is scheduled for release May 18.

“I had no idea it would be as big as it became, but I had a feeling early on,” Uggams, 74, confided. “It was very, very hushhush to the point where ... even how I got the script.”

The Tony and Emmy Award winner had to audition via cell phone video while she was performing in a Boca Raton production of “Mame,” with no solid information about the project.

“I love to go see all those movies, and I do go see everything, but I have to be quite honest – this is a real comic book legend character, and I had no idea,” Uggams revealed. “I didn't even know what the