Ryan Coogler IS Marvel's 'Black Panther' Director

[Silvermoth]

the bigger question is what kind of tone should this movie have? should it be a visual epic like lotr or should this be an action/adventure with sharp cuts?

It should have a spy thriller type tone but with a hint of sci fi and african flavours

May I offer a left field choice? Scott Sanders.

If you must know, he directed this underrated gem. t:

Out of every suggestion so far he seems the most likely to be what marvel is looking for

 

[Suzanne78]

My pick is Pete Travis.

He does great work. Dredd was received positively, just not by enough people, he started with Sundance awards for Omagh, and also did well with British TV film Endgame, which had Chiwetel Ejiofor as a lead. That makes him a great talent that's affordable and comfortable filming in Africa, who is comfortable telling stories about black people and black politics without resorting to stereotypes or preaching, while also ready to shoot a mean comic book inspired action scene and bring out the emotion of a masked lead who never takes his mask off. He's kinda ideal, honestly.

I don't think you'll find a more competent more accessible director for this project.

The director of the most recent, woefully underrated DREDD? I apparently need to check out the rest of his work. I love that movie. Travis would be a fantastic choice too.

I'm liking the suggestions in this thread though.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I really don't know.

Hughes Bros - Book of Eli was awesome and they've have had some other good flicks. They'd be alright.

Just realized the Dredd (which was excellent!) guy did Vantage Point which I also liked a lot.

Fuqua is solid. So is Blomkamp but I agree with whoever said they'd rather save him for Inhumans.

Just keep Hudlin away plz.

 

[Mike Murdock]

Feige was specifically asked at the press conference if race & gender would affect the writer/director choices for BP & CM, he said no and that they'll hire whoever they think is the best for the job.

He said that, but also emphasized that he would be looking at black directors. To me, that means there will be a slightly greater emphasis on black directors than normal (the alternative interpretation would be that he's not looking at black directors for other films and that's probably an uncharitable interpretation). My guess is there will be a conscious effort to put several black directors on their list of top choices they'd talk to.

As for Hudlin. My gut instinct says he'll be a consultant of some kind and won't be directing this. He seems to have too much personality for this, is too polarizing, and, most importantly, if he was their number one choice, they probably would have hired him already.

I'm intrigued at the idea of Andy Serkis since he'll very likely be in the movie anyway. Unless someone wants to point to specific scenes in LOTR/Hobbit movies he's responsible for, I'd have to wait for that Jungle Book film to come out to know for sure.

Should racism be explored? No.

Should imperialism be explored? Definitely.

I agree with this. Marvel comics have touched on controversial issues throughout their history and the movies shouldn't be afraid to do the same. On the other hand, they are blockbuster films designed to have broad, international, mass appeal. The ideas either have to be uncontroversial (massive government surveillance for the purpose of killing everyone who might be a threat before they become a threat is bad) or subtle. Back on the Hudlin debate, his work wasn't subtle. It would have to be toned down dramatically for a movie.

 

[Nokio]

He said that, but also emphasized that he would be looking at black directors. To me, that means there will be a slightly greater emphasis on black directors than normal (the alternative interpretation would be that he's not looking at black directors for other films and that's probably an uncharitable interpretation). My guess is there will be a conscious effort to put several black directors on their list of top choices they'd talk to.

As for Hudlin. My gut instinct says he'll be a consultant of some kind and won't be directing this. He seems to have too much personality for this, is too polarizing, and, most importantly, if he was their number one choice, they probably would have hired him already.

I'm intrigued at the idea of Andy Serkis since he'll very likely be in the movie anyway. Unless someone wants to point to specific scenes in LOTR/Hobbit movies he's responsible for, I'd have to wait for that Jungle Book film to come out to know for sure.



I agree with this. Marvel comics have touched on controversial issues throughout their history and the movies shouldn't be afraid to do the same. On the other hand, they are blockbuster films designed to have broad, international, mass appeal. The ideas either have to be uncontroversial (massive government surveillance for the purpose of killing everyone who might be a threat before they become a threat is bad) or subtle. Back on the Hudlin debate, his work wasn't subtle. It would have to be toned down dramatically for a movie.

Why do racism even have to be touched on? Cause it's dealing with black people? Why can't it just be an action/adventure/fantasy/sci-fi film? Thor is all that, Iron Man is that, GOTG was that. i don't want see those topics in a comic based film. I've seen enough of those movies in my lifetime, infact when ever there is a film with a large black cast it's either some cliched comedy or something dealing with slavery or pre civil rites or some kind of black social struggle. Their are plenty of those, it's all hollywood churns out. Oh forgot about the films where the white savior goes in the hood and tries to make a difference with the troubled youths who are has potential but is tied up with gangs and drugs. It's not needed in a BP film. I suppose they can touch on imperialism but Wakanda is an isolationist society, where the citizens don't have to deal with racism. Just make an enjoyable film for all to enjoy and not focus on racial issues.

Hudlin shouldn't be involved in no way shape or form but if out of respect marvel brings him in am ok with him as a consultant. Let him offer his ideas and they decide if they want to use them. He shouldn't be involved in any script writings or directorial duties and no to producer as well.

 

[Nokio]

It may be sometime before we even get who's going to direct. The film is not out until 2017, we probably won't know anymore of the production team until end of 2015 or early 2016

 

[Lilbaz]

Give Danny Boyle a crack at it and let Neil Gaiman write the script.

 

[Mike Murdock]

Why do racism even have to be touched on?

I said colonialism and imperialism, not racism. Does it have to be touched on? No, of course not. Would it be a waste not to touch on it in a story involving Wakanda (where a noteworthy fact is it's the only place in Africa not to be touched by Imperialism) and Ulysses Klaw. I think so. It will be an action/adventure film not matter what. But that doesn't mean it can't be more. All films should try to at least say more. Certainly, there are Hamlet/revenge aspects of it if it's a Klaw story. Those are worth exploring. The nature of someone who is King and warrior, leader and son is interesting to explore. If he leaves Wakanda, his role as Wakandan King in the world at large (where a large portion of people think "Africa" is a country) is interesting to explore.

There are things the movie invites itself to explore. It doesn't have to, of course, but it has potential to. After all, one traditional storyline is Black Panther v. the Ku Klux Klan. If that story wasn't afraid to shy away from controversy, it's disingenuous to say it isn't part of the Black Panther mythos even way before Reginald Hudlin.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Andrea Arnold- Fish Tank, Wuthering Heights

 

[justanotherguy]

The last thing this movie needs to do is have racism as a major theme, It will suck the fun out of this film quickly...and there is no need for a black director, unless (s)he's the best pick.

I want to know more about the tone of the script.

 

[Nokio]

I said colonialism and imperialism, not racism. Does it have to be touched on? No, of course not. Would it be a waste not to touch on it in a story involving Wakanda (where a noteworthy fact is it's the only place in Africa not to be touched by Imperialism) and Ulysses Klaw. I think so. It will be an action/adventure film not matter what. But that doesn't mean it can't be more. All films should try to at least say more. Certainly, there are Hamlet/revenge aspects of it if it's a Klaw story. Those are worth exploring. The nature of someone who is King and warrior, leader and son is interesting to explore. If he leaves Wakanda, his role as Wakandan King in the world at large (where a large portion of people think "Africa" is a country) is interesting to explore.

There are things the movie invites itself to explore. It doesn't have to, of course, but it has potential to. After all, one traditional storyline is Black Panther v. the Ku Klux Klan. If that story wasn't afraid to shy away from controversy, it's disingenuous to say it isn't part of the Black Panther mythos even way before Reginald Hudlin.

Ok my apologies. However racism does hand in hand with imperialism. The belief of europeans that spread all over Africa was the belief that the people there were inferior and savages and needed to be governed.

Ethiopia in real history and not fictional was never colonized by the europeans powers and not for a lack of them trying..

 

[Nokio]

The last thing this movie needs to do is have racism as a major theme, It will suck the fun out of this film quickly...and there is no need for a black director, unless (s)he's the best pick.

I want to know more about the tone of the script.

Thank you!! Marvel please leave that stuff at the door. We want fun and something all can enjoy. BP does not need racism or imperialism as it core themes. Thor and GOTG as examples were good and it's how BP should be. We as a people are never going to agree on racial as well as other social ills that plague our society. I'm all for films that touch on these issues and they do help when they are well done to raise awareness but for comic film where the audience is supposed to enjoy themselves? No! These films are supposed to be escapism when fans and families alike can enjoy themselves. I ask Marvel not to suck the potential greatness and fun out of BP and the depiction of Wakanda by turning it into some message driven film on race and imperialism.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Ok my apologies. However racism does hand in hand with imperialism. The belief of europeans that spread all over Africa was the belief that the people there were inferior and savages and needed to be governed.

Ethiopia in real history and not fictional was never colonized by the europeans powers and not for a lack of them trying..

Imperialism is about raiding other, poorer countries for natural resources.

The true motive is greed and power.

If the BP movie explores imperialism there doesn't need to be any implied racism.

 

[Mike Murdock]

Ok my apologies. However racism does hand in hand with imperialism. The belief of europeans that spread all over Africa was the belief that the people there were inferior and savages and needed to be governed.

OK, I'll agree with that. However, it's the point of emphasis that matters (particularly how it is addressed). It's the aftermath of the specific thing I'm referring to, not the general motivating factor (well, one of several factors).

Ethiopia in real history and not fictional was never colonized by the europeans powers and not for a lack of them trying..

Never colonized, yes, but I said never touched by Imperialism for a reason. The Italian invasion prior to the Second World War (after its encirclement through the colonization of Somalia and Eritrea). Ethiopia was a success story in the 1890s when it defeated Italy the first time, but it's inaccurate to say that Ethiopia wasn't conquered and ruled by a European power.

 

[Nokio]

OK, I'll agree with that. However, it's the point of emphasis that matters (particularly how it is addressed). It's the aftermath of the specific thing I'm referring to, not the general motivating factor (well, one of several factors).



Never colonized, yes, but I said never touched by Imperialism for a reason. The Italian invasion prior to the Second World War (after its encirclement through the colonization of Somalia and Eritrea). Ethiopia was a success story in the 1890s when it defeated Italy the first time, but it's inaccurate to say that Ethiopia wasn't conquered and ruled by a European power.

Well yeah you're right. Again I just want a good fun and entertaining comic film. There can be death and destruction and seriousness and i want a great film crafted but save all that racial and imperialism issues and such for other films, not in a Marvel film. Yeah I know Marvel touched on real life social issues but as a an ongoing monthly book they can do that and move on. A film it's more lasting and they aren't churned out every month, so if the gambit fails a comic can just movie on and a movie can't.

I'm sorry but i just don't want to see it. As a person of color i've seen films of this nature with majority black casts my whole life to the point of nauseousness. Slavery, the terrible comedies, gangs and drugs, pre civil rites films and I could go on. This what Hollywood churns out regarding black culture. I don't want to see any of these topics in a Black Panther movie.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Well yeah you're right. Again I just want a good fun and entertaining comic film. There can be death and destruction and seriousness and i want a great film crafted but save all that racial and imperialism issues and such for other films, not in a Marvel film. Yeah I know Marvel touched on real life social issues but as a an ongoing monthly book they can do that and move on. A film it's more lasting and they aren't churned out every month, so if the gambit fails a comic can just movie on and a movie can't.

I'm sorry but i just don't want to see it. As a person of color i've seen films of this nature with majority black casts my whole life to the point of nauseousness. Slavery, the terrible comedies, gangs and drugs, pre civil rites films and I could go on. This what Hollywood churns out regarding black culture. I don't want to see any of these topics in a Black Panther movie.

But imperialism is integral to the Black Panther story.

Wakanda has always been extremely isolationist which plays into BP's distrust of outsiders (including the Avengers themselves). Then you have vibranium which is one of the most sought out materials on the planet which validates Wakanda's isolationism and paranoia.

Without vibranium, isolationism, BP's distrust, and imperialism the Black Panther corner of Marvel Universe just isn't the same.

Again, you don't need to imply racism when exploring these themes.

 

[Mike Murdock]

I'll add this final thought:

Not only is Imperialism a good theme in a story with Ulysses Klaw (I recognize it's possible to take a version of the original Fantastic Four story and ignore the theme, even though I'd argue it's an Elephant in the Room even then), it's also a theme raised by Erik Killmonger. While others clearly have more experience than I do with Black Panther stories, my understanding is these themes are either in the classic Panther's Rage story or in Priest's run. Either way, it predates Hudlin's influence. One doesn't need to hire Hudlin to direct to explore these things in a Black Panther story.

 

[BatsDC]

Matt Reeves seems very logical of a choice to me - has worked with Serkis, and pulled off the concept of DotPotA really well, which will likely be a somewhat similar story to Black Panther - the outside worlds discovery of Wakanda, Klaw's intervention there, etc.

 

[Moridin]

Matt Reeves seems very logical of a choice to me - has worked with Serkis, and pulled off the concept of DotPotA really well, which will likely be a somewhat similar story to Black Panther - the outside worlds discovery of Wakanda, Klaw's intervention there, etc.

He's doing Apes 3.

 

[VulcanVader]

I'm reading some good choices here, specially Blomkamp and Travis. Well done

uhm... what about Edward Zwick? The guy sure can be epic.

 

[Nokio]

But imperialism is integral to the Black Panther story.

Wakanda has always been extremely isolationist which plays into BP's distrust of outsiders (including the Avengers themselves). Then you have vibranium which is one of the most sought out materials on the planet which validates Wakanda's isolationism and paranoia.

Without vibranium, isolationism, BP's distrust, and imperialism the Black Panther corner of Marvel Universe just isn't the same.

Again, you don't need to imply racism when exploring these themes.

I guess if it has to be included then it should be included. It is part of the story but explain it and move on.

 

[BatsDC]

He's doing Apes 3.

Which comes out in time for him to also do Black Panther.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Can we not let Hudlin within 500 yards of this movie, better yet 500 miles? His BP run was godawful. How about Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) or Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)?

AMEN. A....F***ING...MEN.

Reginald Hudlin put the "h" in hack. He's terrible. And arrogant at that. If Marvel hires him to touch even a single aspect of this production I swear I might have to sit this one out. How he handled the marriage between Storm and T'Challa is something I'll never be able to forgive him for. :

I'm not in the camp that states that the director needs to be black anyway--no more than the director for Captain Marvel must be female. There's no scientific proof that such choices create better films. I don't give a damn about that. What I want is a strong director, his skin color be damned. This film will have a locked in minority audience just courtesy of the character. But the story needs to expand beyond black audiences and capture everyone.

 

[Mike Murdock]

"Scientific proof"? I don't think that's what it's about.

 

[antonydelfini]

No to Hudlin as director or even consultant. They should be consulting Christopher Priest instead.