REPORTS: Ryan Coogler inks deal to write and direct ‘Black Panther’ sequel

It looks like a return to Wakanda is one step closer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ryan Coogler has inked a deal to write and direct Marvel’s Black Panther sequel.

Coogler wrote and directed Black Panther starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyongo, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, and Michael B. Young and the blockbuster shattered expectations by raking in more than $1.3 billion worldwide.

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According to THR:

In the weeks prior and after the film’s February release, both Marvel and Coogler’s camp were hounded about when a sequel deal would be inked. Typically, a filmmaker is more than willing to quickly sign on for a follow-up, and a studio is eager to snap up a key piece of talent in the lead-up to or right after a successful opening. But Coogler’s camp shook off the peer pressure and took its time in making a deal, which occurred under the radar some time ago.

Sources say the plan at this stage is for Coogler to write the script next year with an eye to start production in either late 2019 or early 2020. Marvel and parent company Disney, however, have not made any official announcements about Marvel’s slate of movies beyond the release of the next Avengers pic in May 2019 and a Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel in July — and plans could shift.

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Aside from working on the highly-anticipated Black Panther sequel, Coogler is already busy with another follow up to a beloved film. He’s set to produce the long-awaited sequel, Space Jam 2.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Black Panther director will produce the film that picks up where the 1996 original left off. Instead of Michael Jordan in the lead role, a new generation of fans will see LeBron James take the lead this time around.

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The gig will mark James’ first starring role in a feature film. Space Jam 2 is the first movieRyan Coogler has taken on since shattering records with Marvel’s Black Panther last year.

“I loved his vision” for Black Panther, James told THR noting he grew up without any black superheroes. “So for Ryan to be able to bring that to kids, it’s amazing.”