‘Black Panther 2’ marks return of Ryan Coogler

Ryan Coogler isn’t leaving Wakanda. The filmmaker will write and direct the sequel to Black Panther.

A person close to the production who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorised to announce the deal confirmed Coogler’s return to the Marvel franchise on Thursday. The Hollywood Reporter first reported Coogler’s widely expected involvement in the Black Panther sequel.

Neither a start date nor a release date has yet been announced.

Black Panther earlier this year grossed more than $1.3 billion (Dh 4.7bn) worldwide, including $700 million domestically in the US — a new record for a Marvel release.

Coogler is also a producer on the upcoming Creed 2, a sequel to the Coogler’s 2015 Apollo Creed film.