While the "Black Panther" movie might be reined as one of the easiest Marvel superheroes to cast, it also seems like the hardest one to helm according to Ava DuVernay. The "Selma" director has recently confirmed that she is not directing the live-action film.
Ava DuVernay, the helmer of the Oscar-nominated film about Martin Luther King's historic 1965 civil rights march, has been linked to Marvel's upcoming big screen adaptation of "Black Panther" for quite a while now. As per Digital Trends, the filmmaker has been the leading contender for the project two months ago. Despite the speculations that's he would be holding the directorial baton once its production commences soon, DuVernay clarified those rumors over the Independence Day weekend.
"I guess I'll declare my independence from this rumor on Fourth of July weekend and Essence weekend," DuVernay told Essence. "I'm not signing on to direct Black Panther." According to the 42-year-old director, she passed on the project because she and the studio had different concepts 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 noted by The Guardian, "Black Panther" is included in Marvel's ambitious cinematic universe slate, alongside sequels to "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Captain America". The studio has already cast "Get on Up" star Chadwick Boseman as the titular superhero. The character is known to be the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics after debuting back in 1966.
"I loved meeting Chadwick and writers and all the Marvel execs," DuVernay said. "In the end, it comes down to story and perspective. And we just didn't see eye to eye. Better for me to realise that now than cite creative differences later." DuVernay also expressed her support for the upcoming live-action movie saying "I love the character of Black Panther, the nation of Wakanda and all that could be visually. I wish them well and will be first in line to see it."
Meanwhile, there is no word out yet as to who will be subbing in for the director's chair. As of now, what has been confirmed is that Boseman's solo superhero film is scheduled to hit the big screen July 6, 2018. But prior to his stand-alone movie, he is slated to make an appearance first in the upcoming "Captain America: Civil War" which arrives in theaters May 6, 2016.
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