‘Creed’ director Ryan Coogler in talks to helm Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’

After shocking Hollywood with two back-to-back critically acclaimed films, Ryan Coogler is about to take a step into an even larger world. The director is reportedly in talks to helm Marvel’s Black Panther.

The news was first reported by Birth.Movies.Death. and was also confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly.

Coogler, who is only 29, has already directed two hit films. He made his feature debut with Fruitvale Station, which also turned Michael B. Jordan into a star. His second film is Creed, the latest installment in the Rocky franchise that also stars Jordan. That film was named one of the National Board of Review’s Top 10 favorite films of 2015.

The Black Panther will make his Marvel Cinematic Debut in next year’s Captain America: Civil War, with Chadwick Boseman in the role. The solo Black Panther movie will hit theaters on Feb. 16, 2018.

Ava DuVernay, who directed last year’s Selma, was being considered to direct Black Panther, but ultimately turned the offer down.