Tag: Ryan Coogler

'Black Panther 3': Denzel Washington Teases Mystery Role In Ryan Coogler's MCU Sequel
Posted on in Film News, News

‘Black Panther 3’: Denzel Washington Teases Mystery Role In Ryan Coogler’s MCU Sequel

While “Black Panther 3” has yet to be officially announced by writer/director Ryan Coogler, Marvel Studios, or Disney, the cat is seemingly out of the bag thanks to Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington. During his promotion of “Gladiator II” in Australia, Washington told an interviewer on “Today” (See video clip below) about his limited upcoming projects, which included a role in Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther 3.”

However, Washington stopped short of discussing what that part might be and whether it would be villainous or heroic. The role will certainly be thrown into the rumor mill until Marvel Studios officially announces what this might be. But it doesn’t look like that Dormmamu rumor will hold up anytime soon.

Btw, Wakanda is no longer just a futuristic african nation in the comics, it's an intergalactic empire now : r/TwoBestFriendsPlay

We’re still in the dark about what “Black Panther 3” could be about as Shuri, after defeating Namor, has left the throne to M’Baku and has discovered that T’Challa has a secret son with Naika. Could we see the ancestorial plane become a realm that can be traveled to, going to war with Doctor Doom, or the expansion of Wakanda into outer space via The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda? Perhaps.

“Black Panther 3” had long been assumed as a project yet to be announced by the studio, and Washington’s comments certainly add fuel to them potentially having to announce those plans earlier than they would have wanted to. Of course, Coogler hasn’t made his live-action plans for the MCU public and recently reunited with Michael B. Jordan for the period vampire flick “Sinners.”

The last installment, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” saw his “Malcolm X” co-star Angela Bassett nab a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role as the matriarch of Wakanda’s royal family, which could potentially have something to do with Washington attaching himself to the project this early.

At one point, folks like myself mused about the potential of having Washington play Kang Prime after Jonathan Majors was fired from the role and “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” was reconfigured into “Avengers: Doomsday” with Robert Downey Jr. playing Victor von Doom.

You can watch that interview segment below.

SOURCE: TODAY

Posted on in Film News, News

Warner Bros. Wins Bidding War For Period Genre Flick That Reunites Ryan Coogler & Michael B. Jordan With Filming Starting In April

Warner Bros. has beat Universal Pictures to land the next big project from director Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) as his untitled film will see the successful director reunite with actor Michael B. Jordan. The news hails from Deadline after a heated bidding war that saw a group of studios and streamers vying for the mysterious genre film that Coogler will also write.

While there have been reports of the project centering around vampires, none of these new trade reports commenting on the deal are mentioning that aspect as plot details are still being kept under lock and key. But, the period genre aspect is indeed in place. Production is reportedly set to begin as early as this April in New Orleans, a setting that has indeed been used for vampires and other horror-focused ghoulies.

The pair have worked together on “Creed” (Michael B. Jordan is said to be gearing up to direct “Creed 4”), “Black Panther” as the rising talent played the film’s compelling villain Erik Killmonger with Jordan making a brief cameo in “Wakanda Forever” as the fallen baddie, and got their start together on “Frutivale Station.” Alongside this project, Jordan is said to be reprising the John Clark role in “Rainbow Six” from director Chad Stahelski (“John Wick” franchise) once he wraps up his “Highlander” remake at Lionsgate and is attached for an “I Am Legend” sequel at Warners that is expected to involve Will Smith.

Coogler hasn’t telegraphed his future film plans at Marvel Studios, but there has been some expectation after a bit of a break he’ll be ready to return to direct or simply write/produce “Black Panther 3” for Marvel Studios given the franchise’s popularity under his creative stewardship.

We’ll have to be patient for the film’s title and release date but being released in 2025 is a good prospect given the upcoming shoot.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News, News

Letitia Wright Reportedly Still Spreading Anti-Vaccine Conspiracies On ‘Black Panther 2’ Set

Back in December, Black Panther actress Letitia Wright posted a video on her Twitter account that questioned vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine and when fans questioned her on spreading conspiracy theories she spouted some weird religious statements in replies. After all that got media attention she apologized and then deleted the account.

Fellow MCU actor Don Cheadle briefly tried to defend the actress on Twitter before realizing what she was spreading around and quickly backtracked that support.

Well, it’s now October and there is a report from The Hollywood Reporter that Wright is still pushing those conspiracies on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Atlanta and that fallout from December led her American reps to part ways.

A number of performers, from Rob Schneider (now shooting Netflix’s Home Team) to Letitia Wright (filming Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) have shared anti-vaccine positions on social media. In Wright’s case, a set source says she has espoused similar views about the COVID-19 vaccines on the Atlanta production. The British actress quietly parted ways with her entire U.S. team of representatives in the wake of a backlash over posting a controversial anti-vaccine video in December.

The interesting part mentioned is that Disney are not requiring vaccines and that won’t be instituted until mid-October, meaning that Black Panther 2 and other productions that have started are exempt from the new sticker system (potentially putting cast and crew at risk).

Disney, the studio behind Black Panther, will begin rolling out a sticker system on all of its new productions in mid-October that requires visible proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, as stipulated in a return-to-work agreement between AMPTP and Hollywood’s unions. Those in Zone A who are fully vaccinated will have a wristband. Those who are not, will not. (Anything already shooting is not covered.)

While it’s unknown what Wright’s vaccine status actually is, the actress was sent to a hospital after an on-set accident and could have put people that were in contact with her during that treatment at risk, including hospital staff and other patients.

This is extremely odd in retrospect, since someone that might have been immune-compromised (like the late Chadwick Boseman) could have been at greater risk for seriously illness or death by interacting with unvaccinated co-stars/crew members.

Not to mention the irony that Wright’s character Shuri is supposed be the brightest scientists in the MCU and the woman playing her seems to be anti-science.

Black Panther: Wakanda releases on July 8, 2022.

SOURCE: THR

Posted on in Film News

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Black Panther 2’ Enlists ‘Inception’ Supervising Art Director Brad Ricker

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has been filming over the summer in Atlanta with Ryan Coogler back as director and co-writer. The sequel will be released on July 8, 2022, with a returning cast that consists of Danai Gurira as Okoye, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, Angela Bassett as Romonda, and Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross.

Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler is officially back for the sequel and The Ronin can confirm she’ll get help from veteran supervising art director Brad Ricker.

The art director’s extensive credits include a solid amount of action projects such as The Tomorrow War, Christopher Nolan’s Inception, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Michael Bay’s Bad Boys II, J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible III, Suicide Squad, and a portion of Ghost In The Shell.

Fellow Oscar winners Ruth E. Carter (Coming 2 America) and Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson (Turning Red, The Mandalorian) are set to return too.

Loki’s director of photography, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, will take over duties from Rachel Morrison.

Dominique Thorne (Judas & The Black Messiah) will make her MCU debut as Riri Williams (getting her own Disney+ series Ironheart) alongside new additions to the cast like Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You, Black Mirror) and Tenoch Huerta (Narcos: Mexico) their roles have yet to be officially named by the studio.

Online rumors have suggested that Namor McKenzie and The Kingdom of Atlantis will feature heavily in the movie. Wakanda and Atlantis have fought each other in the comic books, so it makes sense from that standpoint.

There have been teases that Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character Valentina Allegra de Fontaine will make an appearance in the new film after showing up in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier and in a button scene from Black Widow.

One glaring issue is how Marvel Studios and the writers will deal with the death of star Chadwick Boseman, as the studio has stated they won’t be bringing him back with CGI or recasting the T’Challa role. A common assumption is that the film will feature the choosing of a new king/queen and Black Panther.

A Wakanda focused Disney+ series is also on the way from Ryan Coogler.

BLACK PANTHER – After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Black Panther 2’: Kevin Feige Confirms Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams Will Debut In Sequel Before ‘Ironheart’ Series

After rumors from folks like Geeks Worldwide that Riri Williams would be making her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel’s Kevin Feige has now confirmed this to Comic Book/Phase Zero and adding that actress Dominique Thorne has already started shooting scenes.

“We’re shooting Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, right now, and the character of Riri Williams, you will meet in Black Panther 2 first. She started shooting, I think, this week before her Ironheart series.”

Williams being introduced could have something to do with Wakanda investing in STEM programs as mentioned at the end of the original film. It’ll be interesting to see if Riri will have time to have a full origin explored or just teased leading into her solo series, Ironheart.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit theaters on July 8, 2022.

SOURCE: COMIC BOOK

Posted on in Features

The Serpent Crown Could Be Next Big McGuffin Coming To The MCU Leading To Lumerians & The Serpent Society

Yesterday, fans discovered the possibility of Namor (Prince of Atlantis) villain Gargantos being involved in a fight sequence in Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. It felt like a big hint that Namor is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe or even the Doctor Strange sequel after Scott Derrickson had teased on Twitter before deleting the post and exiting the film leading to rewrites from Michael Waldron (Loki).

Despite believable rumors of Namor (alongside other characters) showing up in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Atlantis and Wakanda having battled each other before), neither the trades nor Marvel Studios have confirmed this exciting potential. Given that Angela Bassett told Entertainment Tonight there have been at least five versions of the script means that things could have been tweaked/changed over the last year or two.

“There have been about five incarnations of the script and I hear another one’s coming,” Bassett said of the script development of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

While the Darkhold (book of dark magic) is being introduced in WandaVision and should play a large role in Doctor Strange 2, we could be seeing more dangerous items falling into the wrong hands.

The addition of Gargantos may mean another dangerous McGuffin could be coming to the MCU as well. As the comic that featured Gargantos included the former ruler of Atlantis, Naga of Lumeria. The Lumerians are sort of antagonists to the Atlanteans, and their leader Naga wears an object of interest of Marvel Comics, the Serpent Crown. Interestingly enough, Captain America: The Winter Soldier gave them a brief nod with the SHIELD ship in the opening sequence being called The Lumerian Star (seemingly a HYDRA operation).

The Serpent Crown has connections to various villains such as Mephisto (Marvel’s cosmic version of the Devil), Ophelia Sarkissian aka Viper, The Serpent Society (once led by Sarkissian), and the aforementioned Naga of Lumeria.

In the comics, Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and the Thing teamed up to fight against Quasar, who was possessed by the Serpent Crown.

The Serpent Society connection is a big standout here. Mainly, because it was the fake title (Captain America: Serpent Society) used before Kevin Feige announced that they would be making Captain America: Civil War and announced the casting of Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther. There had been reports that The Falcon & The Winter Soldier head writer Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson had been assigned to write Captain America 4, assumed to star Anthony Mackie. So, setting up the Serpent Society as a threat or giving clues to the Serpent Crown beforehand would be a good way to go.

The Serpent Society has a connection to Lumeria, which makes the Lumerian Star tease in Captain America: The Winter Soldier even more interesting given that it was controlled by HYDRA. Viper, also goes by the codename Madame Hydra. They could easily become the successors to HYDRA and make for foes for Sam Wilson’s new Captain America or even the Thunderbolts.

I wouldn’t be that shocked if Val (was an incarnation of Madame Hydra in the comics) or Sharon Carter’s Power Broker are part of this MCU incarnation of The Serpent Society, given that Viper once controlled the island nation of Madripoor, which seemingly we’ll be revisiting in the future possibly in Shang-Chi & The Legend of The Ten Rings.

Roxxon’s Hugh Jones (who appeared in Agents of SHIELD) attempted to use the Serpent Crown to gain control of the U.S. government in the comics, it’s possible the MCU could reboot that character as they have with the Darkhold in WandaVision. The Loki series, that gave us a true introduction to The Multiverse, featured Roxxon’s Walmart proxy Roxxcart.

I guess we’ll have to wait on March 25, 2022 to known for sure if Namor, Atlantis, and The Serpent Crown are coming.

Posted on in Film News, News

Michaela Coel Joins ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ In Mystery MCU Role

Marvel announced that production has started on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever recently in Atlanta with Ryan Coogler back as co-writer and director on the Black Panther sequel. The studio, cast, and crew are still mourning the loss of Chadwick Boseman, who died after a battle with colon cancer last summer.

There is news coming from Variety that Marvel has cast actress Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You) in an undisclosed MCU role.

We could easily speculate that the could be someone like Princess Zanda of Narobia or someone more familar to audiences such as Ororo Munroe (X-Men’s Storm). However, it’s unknown if Marvel is ready to introduce main X-Men members anytime soon.

Various online rumors have pointed to the inclusion of Doctor Doom and Namor The Submariner, but neither have been confirmed officially as Marvel still hasn’t announced a villain for Black Panther 2.

I’m still interested to see their angle to move on from T’Challa and Chadwick Boseman, as they’ve said they don’t want to recast the role.

The sequel will be released on July 8, 2022 with a returning cast that includes Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, Florence Kasumba, and Martin Freeman. A Wakanda focused Disney+ series is also on the way from Ryan Coogler.

BLACK PANTHER – After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Posted on in Film News

Danai Gurira’s Okoye Returning In ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ & Spinoff Series At Disney+

Despite the loss of actor Chadwick Boseman to colon cancer last year, Marvel Studios seems to be looking to expand the world of Black Panther’s fictional country of Wakanda with the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever set to begin filming this summer in Atlanta and a spinoff Wakanda series in the works at Disney+ from filmmaker Ryan Coogler.

This expansion will apparently have Danai Gurira’s Okoye as a key player, as the actress is reportedly locked-in for the sequel and the untitled Disney+ series. The news first appeared in an expansive piece about Hollywood attorneys from The Hollywood Reporter, but was later backed-up independently by outlets such as Collider and Deadline.

However, there seems to be some confusion if Danai will be in two different Black Panther spinoff shows for Disney+ or simply part of the Ryan Coogler project that was previously announced. We’ll have to wait for clarity from Marvel/Disney on that front.

Okoye is one of the Dora Milaje, Wakanda’s group of female special forces warriors, and survived the snap. We learned thanks to Avengers: Endgame that Okoye was still active in the heroics department before Thanos was defeated and half of the universe was resurrected by Tony Stark.

It’s unclear how big Okyoe’s role will be in either project and will be some time until we get some more concrete information about this Wakanda show. However, it seems all but confirmed that it will follow the Dora Milaje as teased with their appearance in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. We have to assume at this point the show will have actress Florence Kasumba among the cast as well.

Marvel Studios has gone on the record about not employing a digital version of Chadwick Boseman or recasting the T’Challa role, making it a bit of a mystery how exactly they plan on moving forward with Black Panther: Wakanda and who will ultimately take up the mantle. The Challenge Day scene from the first film seems to indicate that multiple royals from the various Wakandan tribes could be in consideration and it not being a complete sure bet that Shuri is the next Black Panther just because it happened in the comic books.

We’re still in the dark who will be the sequel’s antagonist. Trade reports revealed that Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta (Narcos) was in talks to play a an unnamed villain. Fans have speculated for years that that Prince Namor of Atlantis or Fantastic Four’s Doctor Doom of Latveria could be potential baddies looking to pick a fight with the technologically advanced nation in the second film.

It’ll be interesting if they’d ever consider prequels taking place during the era of King T’Chaka.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit theaters on July 8, 2022.

Posted on in Film News

Regina King To Direct Monster Movie ‘Bitter Root’ For Legendary & Producer Ryan Coogler – Based On Image Comics Property

It doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing Regina King direct Blade, The Vampire Hunter or the new black Superman film that is being developed by Warner Bros./Bad Robot, she’s decided another comic book project altogether.

After directing the Oscar-nominated film, One Night In Miami, she’s landed a high-profile feature adaptation of the Image Comics property Bitter Root for Legendary and producer Ryan Coogler. The news comes from The Hollywood Reporter and sounds a little similar to Lovecraft Country.

Bitter Root is set in 1924 during the Harlem Renaissance and tells of the Sangeryes, a family of once-great monster hunters, who face an evil that descends upon New York.

Screenwriter Bryan Edward Hill (Power Rangers) is behind the film’s script.

It’s unknown when Legendary wants Bitter Root to begin shooting but this likely means she could be too busy to tackle films for Marvel Studios or DC Films at this time. Allowing other names floated by trades to tackle Blade and Superman as it looks like the two projects are eyeing a production start in 2022.

Ryan Coogler is about to begin shooting on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever this July with a spinoff series for Disney+ also in the works.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Posted on in Film News

‘Black Panther 2’ Is Officially Titled ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

Marvel Studios has announced that Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 2 coming out on July 8, 2022 is officially titled Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!

Production is moving forward this summer in Atlanta, Georgia under the working title Summer Break with Ryan Coogler back for the sequel as he’ll both co-write and direct. Ryan is also working on a Disney+ series focused on Wakanda, which very likely could involve Dora Milaje as hinted to in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier.

Marvel still hasn’t announced how they plan to continue the franchise without Chadwick Boseman and his character T’Challa, as they’ve gone on the record about not recasting the role or using a digital version of the actor. The franchise allows for a new Black Panther to rise from the tribes of Wakanda, but how they’ll explain T’Challa exit from the film remains to be seen.

We’re expecting that we’ll see the return of cast members such as Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Florence Kasumba, and Martin Freeman. The new addition to the cast is Narcos: Mexico actor Tenoch Huerta, who reportedly is playing a villain. However, the character has yet to be revealed despite lots of fan speculation that it could be Namor McKenzie or some another big name in comics.