‘Black Panther’ Solo Movie Lands a Writer

Amid all the fuss yesterday over the director shortlist for Furious 8 was a tiny news item you might have missed: Marvel was reportedly considering F. Gary Gray to direct Black Panther, but with the Straight Outta Compton director emerging as the top pick for Furious 8, that’s probably not happening. But we do have some legit Black Panther-related news, as Marvel has tapped one of their in-house writers for scripting duties.

Variety reported yesterday that Marvel was eyeing Gray for the Black Panther directing gig after Selma director Ava DuVernay passed on the project — which means Marvel is most definitely looking for an African-American director to helm their first solo African-American superhero film, which is great. But today The Wrap reports that not only is Gray not directing Black Panther, but Marvel isn’t even considering a director until the screenplay is complete and they have a better idea of what they’re after.

As for the screenplay, the report also reveals that Marvel has put in-house writer Joe Robert Cole on the project. Cole is a black filmmaker who previously wrote and directed the 2011 film Amber Lake.

Black Panther hits theaters on November 6, 2018, which gives Marvel plenty of time to find the right director for the film.