Does Black Panther Need an African-American Director?

Last month, a rumor surfaced thatMarvelwantsCreeddirectorRyan Cooglerto take the helm onBlack Panther, which hasChadwick Bosemanset to star asT’challa. The filmmaker’s involvement has not been confirmed at this time. The studio was previously considering directorAva DuVernay, with it widely believed that the studio wants an African-American filmmaker directing. WhileRyan Cooglerwouldn’t comment specifically about his involvement, he did tellScreen Rantthat he believes it’s important forBlack Pantherto have a black director.

“Yeah, I think it’s important. Perspective is so important in art. It’s an important thing. That’s not to say that you may’t work outside yourself. When I was coming up, I made movies about things that were close to me; I made movies about things that weren’t close to me. But I definitely think that it helps when you are close to a subject. Like, I was an athlete for most of my life before I was a filmmaker. And that helped to inform me when writing this script, whendirecting. Having had those types of experiences helped me inform this process.”

Ryan Coogler’s statement comes just a month afterAnthony Mackie, who plays one of the few African-American characters in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, The Falcon, stated that he doesn’t thinkBlack Pantherneeds ablack director.Ryan Cooglerwent on to add that a black filmmaker will help giveBlack Panther"a greater truth" in telling the story from an African-American perspective. Here’s whatRyan Cooglerhad to say about how a filmmaker’s personal experience can enhance the story.

“I think that there is a potential for a greater truth when a filmmaker comes from a particular culture that they’re dealing with. That’s not to say that a filmmaker can’t work outside his or her cultural space. But I do believe that the opportunity for the film to have more nuance will come when you looking at filmmakers that bring a little bit of that from their personal experience. That’s why I think folks are opinionated about it. But if I was in a position where I’m making a movie about the first woman superhero that’s every going to get released all over the world, I would do everything in my power to find a woman to direct that movie out of the simple fact that I think it will give you a cultural perspective. I don’t think that’s wrong of a studio to do. I think it’s actually responsible. It’s responsible because it’s their job to make the truest, best film.”

Joe Robert Cole(Amber Lake) recently signed on to write the script forBlack Panther, andMarvelalso said that they wouldn’t be looking for a director until the script is complete.Marvel’sBlack Pantherwill hit theaters on June 03, 2025, although it isn’t known exactly when production will begin. What do you think aboutRyan Coogler’s comments regardingBlack Pantherneeding an African-American director? Stay tuned for more onBlack Pantheras soon as more details are released.