Marvel Studios boss discusses Black Panther sequel, director choices

Black Panther is on track to become one of Marvel’s top-grossing movies, making questions about a potential sequel seem entirely unnecessary.

Yet here we are, asking questions about a potential sequel. Kevin Feige, co-president of Marvel Studios, told Variety that he couldn’t confirm a sequel at this time. That said, Feige added that there are many Black Panther stories Marvel wants to tell, even going so far as to saying he’s hopeful director Ryan Coogler would return for a sequel — if it were to happen.

“We always say we work on one movie at a time,” Feige told Variety. “If you have any good ideas, put it in the movie you’re making. If you don’t, you might not be able to make another one. That said, Panther has been around for more than half a century in the comic books and there are many, many stories to tell.”

Feige pointed out that Marvel Studios has been gearing up for a Black Panther movie since Iron Man 2. There’s a scene in the film where maps of different areas appear on a screen behind Tony Stark’s head and, when the map changes to display Africa, a sign points to Wakanda. There have been instances since then, Feige added, wherein the films have referenced Black Panther. It was only a matter of time before Marvel gave the character his own movie.

“In Avengers: Age of Ultron we talked about Vibranium for the first time and Bruce Banner mispronounces Wakanda,” Feige said. “We’ve been feeding it through the films, knowing if we had the opportunity to keep making films, Panther was high on the list. It was his inclusion in [Captain America:] Civil War that sped it up.”

Take this as a very good sign that, yes, Black Panther will have a sequel. Just in case there was any doubt running through your mind.

Black Panther will be released on Feb. 16.