Ryan Coogler Weighs In on Black Panther 3 & Why Original Movies Might Be His Next Move

New Delhi | 24 April 2025 — Director Ryan Coogler has been the driving force behind Marvel’s Black Panther films, but if you’re hoping he’s fully invested in making Black Panther 3, you might want to manage those expectations. In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Coogler said he’s open to another Black Panther movie—but his heart seems more in creating original projects than returning to a franchise.

Coogler’s latest film Sinners, starring frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan, is currently doing big numbers at the box office. It’s an original film, not tied to any existing IP, and it’s clearly a win for Coogler’s creative vision. Reflecting on that success, he shared, “Yeah, I hope to make another Panther movie, but the people who I look up to the most as filmmakers, they do this. They make original movies on a massive scale.”

It’s a telling quote. Ryan Coogler didn’t say he was excited about returning to Wakanda—he said he feels responsible. That’s a big difference. His response suggests that while he understands the cultural impact of the franchise and the expectations around it, he’s more creatively energized by telling new stories that aren’t part of a larger cinematic universe.

To be clear, Black Panther 3 hasn’t even been officially announced yet. Marvel Studios hasn’t confirmed it, and there’s been no update from the studio side. The only reason it’s even being talked about is because Denzel Washington mentioned having conversations with Ryan Coogler about a possible role—so it’s clear there’s some momentum, but nothing set in stone.

What makes this a bigger conversation is Coogler’s influence. He’s not just another Marvel director. The first Black Panther became a global cultural moment and won critical acclaim for its storytelling, cast, and vision. Even the sequel, Wakanda Forever, managed to push through the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman and still deliver emotionally. For many fans, taking Coogler out of the picture would mean losing the heart of the franchise.

But it’s also easy to understand where Ryan Coogler is coming from. Hollywood has always had a push-pull between franchises and fresh ideas. Not every director wants to stay locked into a series, even a successful one. And Coogler, who clearly admires filmmakers who break ground with original blockbusters, seems ready to join those ranks.

Think of someone like Christopher Nolan—he made his mark with original films like Inception and Interstellar but also helmed the Dark Knight trilogy. Coogler could very well follow that model, balancing passion projects with major franchise work. The success of Sinners proves he has the power to do both.

So what’s next for Ryan Coogler? If Black Panther 3 does happen, there’s a good chance Marvel will want him to direct. But if he chooses to take a break from Wakanda and focus on original stories, that’s a win, too. Either way, audiences are likely to follow his work, whether it’s backed by Marvel or born entirely from his own imagination.