Writer and director Joe Robert Cole
According to The Wrap, Marvel Studios has tapped screenwriter Joe Robert Cole to write the script for Black Panther. Cole is a relatively young writer-director that has only written and directed one previous film, Amber Lake (2011).
Amber Lake focused on three half-sisters and the mysterious death of their estranged father. Eventually, the sisters turn on each other and blame each other for the death of their dad.
Black Panther will be the first film released by Marvel Studios that focuses entirely on a Black character. Marvel Studios executive Kevin Feige is set to produce Black Panther and he wants diversity in front and behind the camera. This year has been full of news about the upcoming film. Ava Duvernay was tapped to direct the film but by the end of summer she had completely turned down the job.
According to Variety, while a recent report stated that F. Gary Gray is a contender to direct Black Panther, there are no serious contenders at this stage, since Gray will be directing Fast and Furious 8. The search for a director remains wide-open.
Cole is one of two people of color working on Marvel projects so far. Director Taika Waititi will be the first person of color directing a film, Thor: Ragnarok.
Cole is currently writing the new FX crime drama, American Crime Story produced by Ryan Murphy. He also comes from Marvel’s in-house writing program.
Black Panther is slated for release on July 6, 2018.
