Wakanda Forever! Ryan Coogler returning to write & direct 'Black Panther 2'

Image from Revenge of the Fans

By Darian Scalamoni

            All it took was one of the best, rising, diverse filmmakers in the world to put Marvel in the “Oscars” conversation with Ryan Coogler’s, Black Panther. Luckily, for the tons of people who love the film (including myself), there is terrific news. According to The Playlist, Coogler will return to the MCU to write and direct the Black Panther sequel.

            The film is now the 9^th highest-grossing film of all-time, the highest-grossing MCU effort domestically and was bound to get a sequel but many were clamoring for Coogler to return to put his stamp on Wakanda yet again. Black Panther was Coogler’s third movie as director following indie darling Fruitvale Station and boxing drama, Creed. Coogler has worked with Michael B. Jordan in all three efforts but with the ending of this recent movie, you’d think he wouldn’t return for the sequel but then again it is the MCU.

            Many speculated that the timing of bringing Coogler back was problematic as he has the drama, Wrong Answer in development with Jordan as the lead and other outlets have reported that he also had a smaller production upcoming which has been said to be “Coogler’s version of 12 Angry Men.” Both projects sound super interesting, but it seems he’ll only have time for one of them as the Black Panther sequel will start shooting in either late-2019 or early-2020.

            The cultural impact and reception around Black Panther are terrific. It has undoubtedly changed the way studios will look at diverse storytelling going forward and proved that people want to see wider ranging movies.

            With this announcement, Black Panther 2 (working title for now), is only the second movie confirmed after The Avengers 4 along with Spider-Man: Far from Home though the Black Widow solo effort and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are up in the air for now.