In news that is maybe not surprising but is supremely important, Ryan Coogler is returning to Marvel for Black Panther 2. The Hollywood Reporter says the accomplished director has agreed to return to direct and write the sequel. With his schedule getting busier (he was most recently announced as producer for Space Jam 2), we’re relieved to hear he’ll be returning to Wakanda and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Marvel has to get through a few things in 2019 before production can start on the next Black Panther movie, namely Captain Marvel and the as yet untitled Avengers 4. The latter will presumably be important in guiding Coogler’s script into the next phase of the MCU, because as of the end of Infinity War, T’Challa was killed by Thanos’ snap and looking pretty dusty. But hey, if Avengers 4 doesn’t reverse T’Challa’s death, it would make space for Shuri to take on the mantle of Black Panther and serve as queen of Wakanda–something she’s done in Marvel Comics.

As for which villains might appear in the sequel, we have a few ideas, including the Skrulls and Doctor Doom. The Disney and Fox merger should be complete long before Black Panther 2 starts coming together, so Coogler has a whole host of Marvel characters at his fingertips.

The Hollywood Reporter‘s sources claim Disney and Marvel’s plan is to begin production in late 2019 or early 2020.

Are you surprised to learn Coogler is back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Images: Marvel

Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist and the author of Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy (pre-order it on Amazon). Follow her on Twitter.