It was not that long ago there were rumors that Marvel wanted Ryan Coogler to direct Secret Wars. However when doing press for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Coogler debunks those Secret Wars rumors. Equally, Marvel boss Kevin Feige has poured some water on this rumor as well. Coogler spoke to Variety and they way he’s talking, he put everything into Wakanda Forever and needs to re-energize now.
“I can tell you definitively I have no idea what I’m doing next as a writer and director,” Coogler says.
One might assume Coogler would be returning for a third Black Panther film, but for now all Kevin Feige is saying is that some ideas have been pitched back and forth. However he would be reluctant to go forward without Coogler involved.
“I go back to what I said when we decided to make ‘Wakanda Forever’ after losing Chad,” Feige says. “This mythology and this ensemble and these characters deserve to continue and will continue after all of us are gone, I hope, and will continue forever in movies the way it has in comics for 50-plus years.”
But, Feige adds, working without Coogler “wouldn’t be the preference.”
However Feige plays cool on talk of Secret Wars saying that’s not a chat they’ve had.
“Well, I would want Ryan to do anything at any time because he’s a singular talent and a great person to spend years with,” Feige says. “But no, in all honesty, there’ve been no conversations. We’ve not spoken to him about ‘Secret Wars.’”
RELATED: Owen Wilson’s Mobius To Have Major Role in Deadpool 3 | Barside Buzz
Coogler said “That’s crazy” when the trade posed the question to him about Secret Wars.
“I love making movies, but to quote a character in our movie, I gave this everything,” he says with a hearty laugh. “This movie got everything I have. I’m at that place where I think I’ve got this press tour in me and then I’ve got to sit down and reflect. Probably cry a lot, because I’ve been holding that back. And then from there, figure out whatever’s next.”
Does this debunk the rumors, maybe? Even if talks have taken place, unless they are finalized, then there’s nothing to tell. For now it seems like Coogler is all focused on Wakanda Forever and also developing some Disney+ projects set within the Wakandan society. There’s always the chance that after a rest Coogler will think differently about the possibility of Secret Wars. However for now, I don’t think we can assume there is anything to that rumor beyond some initial chats. Unless, they’re both lying, which is quite possible.
What do you think as Kevin Feige and Ryan Coogler seem to debunk those Secret Wars rumors? Thoughts below as always.