New reports confirm that Black Panther writer and director Ryan Coogler will return for Black Panther 2.

The deal shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone. The first film is one of the highest grossing Marvel Studios films to date, having earned $700 million domestically and more than $1.3 billion worldwide. It’s considered to be a cultural phenomenon with the way it addresses themes of race and identity, while also being a superhero film. And people have caught notice of the impact it has made. So much so that Marvel Studios is also making a huge awards season push for the film. More on the report below.

THR says that’s Coogler’s deal was not like the others. For one thing, directors are almost signed on to direct a sequel the instant the first film is a hit. However, Coogler and his team took their time to work out a deal, which was apparently inked some time ago.

Sources tell THR that Coogler could begin writing the script as early as next year, and then proceed to begin production either in late 2019 or 2020. Others set for future releases are Captain Marvel, Spider-Man: Far From Home and the untitled Avengers 4. The Eternals and the Black Widow standalone film are currently under development. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has been put on hold.

This is great news for those who are fans of Black Panther. Coogler was able to make the film its own by adding real word social issues and keep it within the superhero universe with some great comic book sequences. This was also Marvel’s first film with a predominately black cast. So like Wonder Woman, it set the tone for minorities to finally have larger roles or their own films.

It should be interesting to see how T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) absence has impacted Wankanda.

No release date has been announced, but we will keep you posted on any news should they come in.

[Source: THR]