UPDATED, 4:38 PM: Marvel made it officially official today: Creed helmer Ryan Coogler is set to direct Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther. “We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family,” said producer Kevin Feige. “The talents Ryan showcased in his first two films easily made him our top choice to direct Black Panther. Many fans have waited a long time to see Black Panther in his own film, and with Ryan we know we’ve found the perfect director to bring T’Challa’s story to life.”
PREVIOUSLY, December 4: Creed director Ryan Coogler is in negotiations to direct Black Panther, the Disney/Marvel pic that is starring Chadwick Boseman as the superhero. The pic that is part of the Marvel Universe has a February 16, 2018, release date.
We’re hearing the negotiations are significant for this. It comes after Marvel was talking with several possible directors, including Selma helmer Ava Duvernay. Those talks cooled back in July.
Coogler, who burst on the scene with the Sundance Fruitvale Station, which starred his current Creed star Michael B. Jordan. Warner Bros opened Creed over Thankgiving weekend to $29.6M and is up to $49.6M heading into its second frame.
Boseman was cast as Black Panther in October 2014. The superhero will make his first Marvel Universe appearance in Captain America: Civil War, due out May 6, 2016. He appeared in the movie’s first trailer that just dropped on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The news was first reported by film blog Birth.Movies.Death.
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