Marvel Studios have been looking for someone to helm their upcoming Black Panther film for a while and now their search is finally over with Creed director Ryan Coogler officially signed on to sit in the director’s chair.
“We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family,” said Marvel Studios head honcho 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.”
Coogler wrote and directed the hard-hitting drama Fruitvale Station (2013) which was heaped with critical acclaim. Most recently he directed the Rocky spinoff Creed, which has also been a critical hit and earned Sylvester Stallone a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.
The news of Coogler directing Black Panther is extremely exciting as I have loved the two films he has done so far. In the hands of such a talented director, Black Panther could truly be something special. Hopefully Coogler’s chemistry with Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman will be as strong as his bond with his Fruitvale Station and Creed leading man Michael B Jordan.
Black Panther will be the first black superhero to headline his own movie since Wesley Snipes’ Blade trilogy and will be an important pillar of diversity in the current golden age of superhero movies.
In the comics, Black Panther is the king of the fictional technologically-advanced nation of Wakanda and has joined the Avengers numerous times as well as featuring in his own solo adventures. Anyone particularly interested in the character should read Black Panther Volume 1: Who Is The Black Panther written by Reginal Hudlin and illustrated by John Romita Jnr.
Black Panther will arrive in cinemas on February 16, 2018 after the character makes his movie debut in Captain America: Civil War, set for a May 6 release. Catch a glimpse of him in the trailer below
What do YOU think? Are you excited about Coogler’s appointment? Feel free to leave a comment below.
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