Officially Official: Ryan Coogler directing ‘Black Panther’
Man. I’ve written this post like three times. Ryan Coogler directing Black Panther. Only to have it contradicted a couple hours later, “oh no it’s not official, but it’s going to happen probably” — and then, silence. But tonight? Tonight! It’s official. So help me God.
On the heels of today’s news that MGM has scheduled Creed 2 for 2017 comes word that Ryan Coogler has been officially confirmed to helm Marvel’s Black Panther solo film, which would make the director somewhat unavailable for the Creed sequel. It’s a bit of bittersweet news, but who among you isn’t stoked for Coogler to tell T’Challa’s superhero story?
Variety reports that after months of speculation and rumors, Marvel has officially confirmed Coogler as the director of Black Panther, set to hit theaters on February 16, 2018. With Creed 2 tentatively slated for November 2017, that takes Coogler out of the running for the sequel to his hit Rocky revival film, though Sylvester Stallone recently said the director would remain involved as executive producer.
Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa is set to make his debut in Captain America: Civil War on May 6 before Marvel heads over to Wakanda to tell his solo tale in 2018. That’s a long wait, but it gives Coogler ample time to collaborate with the studio on the best possible version of Black Panther’s story. Marvel in-house writer Joe Robert Cole is penning the screenplay and is also set to script The Inhumans, which arrives in November 2018.
Coogler made his feature debut with Michael B. Jordan on the critically acclaimed indie drama Fruitvale Station before re-teaming with the actor for Creed, the latter of which has grossed $103 million and made both Jordan and Coogler certifiable hits with critics and audiences alike.