Back in October, we reported an apparent rumor that Marvel was interested in Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station) to direct Phase 3’s Black Panther. Coogler turned it down at the time because he didn’t feel it was the right fit for him, and he was also working towards the completion of Creed.

According to Variety, now that Creed has completed (to critical and financial success), Coogler is back in talks with Marvel about directing the first MCU film with an African American in the lead role. If he takes the job, Coogler will be working with Chadwick Boseman (Get on Up, 42) as T’Challa, the king of the African nation of Wakanda, first mentioned in Avengers: Age of Ultron. T’Challa will make his debut in Captain America: Civil War next year. If you saw the trailer (which I know you did), then you know that Black Panther is already being set up as a major part of the MCU for years to come.

If Coogler hops on board, this will be another step in the right direction for Marvel when it comes to diversity. With Taika Waititi directing and Stephany Folsom writing Thor: Ragnarok, the effort to gain different voices for their universe can only make it that much better.

Black Panther, written by Joe Robert Cole, will open in theaters February 16, 2018.

So what do you think? Is Coogler a good fit for Black Panther? Are Marvel’s choices a breath of fresh air? Let me know on Twitter or sound off in the comments below.

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HT: Variety

IMAGE: Disney/Marvel