We’ve been hearing his name mentioned in connection with the project for months now, but today Marvel finally confirmed that Creed director Ryan Coogler would take the helm of the solo Black Panther movie, which is still set for release in 2018.
Coogler put his name on the map with his 2013 debut picture, Fruitvale Station, and went on to garner more acclaim by once again teaming with actor Michael B. Jordan for boxing drama Creed. He’s no doubt one of the hottest filmmakers in Hollywood right now and is a more than suitable candidate to direct this particular project.
In tandem with the confirmation, Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige released a statement acknowledging Coogler’s previous work, in which he hails him as the “perfect director” to bring Black Panther to the big screen.
We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family. 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.
Chadwick Boseman will debut as T’Challa in May 6th’s Captain America: Civil War, before going on to headline Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther on February 16, 2018.