Ava DuVernay Passes on Directing 'Black Panther'

"We just didn't see eye to eye," DuVernay told Essence Magazine.

Ava DuVernay will not be directing Marvel's Black Panther. The director confirmed the news with Essence Magazine.

"I'm not signing on to direct Black Panther," said DuVernay during the Essence Festival. "I think I'll just say we had different ideas about what the story would be. Marvel has a certain way of doing things, and I think they're fantastic and a lot of people love what they do. I loved that they reached out to me."

Chadwick Boseman is attached to the project to play T'Challa, the black superhero who rules the nation of Wakanda. Although DuVernay exclaimed she loved the characters, she didn't agree with Marvel's vision.

"I loved meeting Chadwick and the writers and all the Marvel execs," said DuVernay. "In the end, it comes down to story and we just didn't see eye to eye. Better for me to realize that now than cite creative differences later."

DuVernay also cleared the air about her CBS pilot tentatively titled For Justice, which was also didn't go through. DuVernay said the show didn't get picked up because she thinks "they thought it was a little close to real life."

"I guess I'll declare my independence from this rumor on 4th of July weekend and Essence weekend!" expressed DuVernay.