‘Why (Is) This F–king Dude Making Another One Of Those?’ The Reason Ryan Coogler Signed On For Black Panther 3

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2025 was a huge year for Ryan Coogler, thanks to the success of his original film, Sinners. The vampire drama not only received critical acclaim but also proved to be a box office hit and topped TopMob’s list of the best movies of 2025. Given this success with an original project, many wondered why Coogler chose Black Panther 3 as his next film. When asked, he jokingly responded with a bit of colorful language.

Last November, Ryan Coogler announced he’s planning a third Black Panther movie. However, Marvel hasn’t yet scheduled a release date for it. The director recently explained his reasons for returning to the world of Wakanda, speaking with a lot of enthusiasm about the project.

I don’t make films to prove a point. I simply want to share stories I’m passionate about and feel driven to tell. I’m really looking forward to working on Black Panther 3, and that’s honestly what motivates me.

Director Ryan Coogler explained his decision to return to the Black Panther franchise in an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. Host Josh Horowitz asked why Coogler would revisit an established series after demonstrating his ability to create successful original films. Coogler responded that he’s motivated by the stories he wants to tell, not by a need to prove anything to others. He elaborated further, saying:

Someone watching might wonder why I’m making another film like this, and that’s understandable. As the filmmaker, it’s my role to explain the reason.

During the interview, Coogler emphasized that this movie is deeply personal to him – it’s something he truly wants to make, not just a job or a guaranteed box office success. He’s excited to continue the stories he started telling. He also shared his immense excitement about directing Denzel Washington in a future role, especially after Washington’s announcement generated so much buzz online. He said directing Washington would make him incredibly happy.

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Ryan Coogler, director of the Creed films, also mentioned that he’s appreciated the chance to challenge himself throughout his career. He cited Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as an example, explaining it was a film about strong Black women dealing with loss, while also holding important positions and prominently featuring Indigenous Meso-American actors. He was pleased the film earned over $800 million worldwide, but emphasized that wasn’t his primary motivation for making it.

I’m hearing that Black Panther 3 might finally come out in February 2028, which is a long wait, I know! But it really depends on where Ryan Coogler is in the production process, so I’ll be keeping an eye on what he’s up to. It’s also interesting to remember he’s currently working on a reboot of The X-Files as well, so he’s definitely got a lot on his plate!

Marvel Studios doesn’t have many movies officially scheduled right now. Just three films are confirmed to finish the Multiverse Saga: Spider-Man Brand New Day (this summer), Avengers: Doomsday (December), and Avengers: Secret Wars (December 2027). I’m really excited to see what Ryan Coogler creates and how he expands the story of Wakanda.

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2026-01-04 01:10