Marvel Pursuing Ryan Coogler To Direct ‘Black Panther’

According to sources, Ryan Coogler, the HOT director of Sundance indie breakout hit Fruitvale Station, is being pursued by Marvel to direct the upcoming Black Panther!

I never bought that they were waiting for a finished script before going out to directors. Ryan Coogler is deep into post production on Creed which Warners drops in theaters on Thanksgiving.

Selma director Ava DuVernay was originally offered Black Panther but ultimately passed. Straight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray was a contender until he recently decided to direct Fast 8 instead.

The Wrap recently reported that Joe Robert Cole (FX’s American Crime Story) is nearing a deal to write Black Panther for Marvel.

Coogler makes perfect sense. A hot young filmmaker who sources tell me is willing to do big commercial fare so a superhero movie is probably the next logical step. On a side note, Coogler sat right in front of me in the VIP section of the DC Hall H panel at Comic Con back in July so I suspected he was maybe considering Cyborg for the studio. I know Marvel and I know they track heat. I’m hearing nothing but great things about Creed.

Two years ago I broke Chadwick Boseman as the top contender for Black Panther when I was at Latino Review.

This story is developing and I’m not sure how far talks have progressed, or if an offer has even been made but I trust the sourcing and it looks like Coogler is now Marvel’s top contender. I’ll report back with more as I find out.

Marvel last week shifted the release date of Black Panther to drop during Black History Month on February 16th, 2018.

UPDATE: It seems this one didn’t work out and Marvel has since moved on in their search for a director for the upcoming film.

Ryan Coogler. BLACK PANTHER. Not happening. Onto the next one. RT — Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) November 10, 2015

Stay tuned for more updates on Marvel’s Black Panther movie.