Creed director to helm Marvel’s Black Panther

Marvel has announced that Ryan Coogler will direct the upcoming Black Panther movie, starring Chadwick Boseman.

Coogler wrote and directed his first award-winning feature film, Fruitvale Station, in 2013, but has gained traction of late for having directed the critically-acclaimed Creed, starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone (who earned a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture).

“We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family,” said producer Kevin Feige.  “The talents Ryan showcased in his first two films easily made him our top choice to direct ‘Black Panther.’  Many fans have waited a long time to see Black Panther in his own film, and with Ryan we know we’ve found the perfect director to bring T’Challa’s story to life.”

Though Boseman will make his debut as Black Panther in Marvel's upcoming Captain America: Civil War (May 6th), the standalone Black Panther feature film will hit theaters on February 18, 2018.