Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has signed on to direct a sequel to the blockbuster film. The Hollywood Reporter says that he has “quietly closed a deal to write and direct the sequel.”
Disney and Marvel haven’t officially green lit a sequel to Black Panther, but it’s almost assured given the first film’s critical acclaim and the enormous box office haul it pulled in when it was released earlier this year. According to THR, Coogler and his team “took its time in making a deal, which occurred under the radar some time ago.” The film is reportedly in development and could begin production in late 2019 or early 2020.
As to what Black Panther 2 will look like and when it will take place will depend on the outcome of Avengers 4, which is set to hit theaters next May. Marvel has been fairly quiet on the future of the franchise following the events of this spring’s Avengers: Infinity War, in which (spoilers, for the three of you who haven’t seen it) a number of characters — including Black Panther — were dusted by supervillain Thanos.
Those characters will most certainly come back; studio chief Kevin Feige toldVanity Fair that they have 20 films “on the docket.” Those films include a new Spider-Man film called Far From Home, and a solo Black Widow film and an Eternals film are in development. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 was planned, but it has been put on hold following director James Gunn’s firing.
