Jeremy here...
It turns out the rumors were true. SELMA director Ava DuVernay did meet with Marvel Studios about directing their BLACK PANTHER film (starring Chadwick Boseman). But while DuVernay was flattered by their interest, she told Essence that directing a Marvel movie just isn't for her.
Here's her rather forthright statement:
I'm not signing on to direct BLACK PANTHER. I think I’ll just say we had different ideas about what the story would be. Marvel has a certain way of doing things and I think they’re fantastic and a lot of people love what they do. I loved that they reached out to me.
As for whether she might be open to working with the studio somewhere down the ilne, she slammed that door shut with this comment.
In the end, it comes down to story and perspective. And we just didn't see eye to eye. Better for me to realize that now than cite creative differences later.
It was a nice idea, but for those of us who think DuVernay has a unique voice, this is essentially cause for celebration. DuVernay's feature filmmaking career is just beginning, and I think it'd be a mistake to go the studio route so soon - even though securing financing for the kinds of movies she'd like to make won't be a cakewalk. Here's hoping Marvel finds the right fit for BLACK PANTHER, and that DuVernay gets her follow-up to SELMA before cameras soon.
Marvel's BLACK PANTHER is currently scheduled for theatrical release on July 6, 2018.
