It’s widely known that the Marvel Studios’ franchises aren’t just tied to one particular genre. Each franchise has a sub-genre that allows it to stand out from other superhero films. For instance, Captain America started out as a wartime period piece and then evolved into a political thriller. Guardians of the Galaxy is a space opera. Iron Man has that buddy cop feel to it. Ant-Man began has a heist film but will become something else in the sequel. And Spider-Man is a coming of age film that sees its titular character go through high school angst.

With Black Panther just a few weeks away from release, we are now beginning to see how director Ryan Coogler‘s film fits into the MCU and how it will distinguish itself from the other MCU films. In a newly released interview, Coogler says he was inspired by films like A Prophet and the James Bond series. Check out the quotes below.

Coogler spoke to Fandango to talk about the upcoming film, where he addressed some of the film’s genres. “I think it’s a bit of an espionage thriller,” Coogler said. “I think it’s a little bit of a family drama,” he added, mentioning how that adds a family-drawn element in the film. He also said it “deals with royalty, you have a family element and you have a political side, too. It works as a political drama as well.”

The director went on to talk about some of the film’s influences. While it does draw its political thriller inspiration from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he adds that James Bond was also an influence. Here’s what he had to say:

Speaking of drawing from influences, inspiration, and James Bond, Coogler talked about A Prophet and how that film played a part in shaping Black Panther. He also talked about the themes of A Prophet and how they are similar to his film:

It’s always interesting to hear about what directors are watching and what elements they are drawing from to make their current film. The way he speaks about James Bond and A Prophet, it sounds like Black Panther will be one of the most exciting Marvel Studios films to ever be released.

Here’s the official plot synopsis:

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king””and Black Panther””is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

Black Panther stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. It hits theaters on February 16, 2018.

[Source: Fandango]