Anthony Stokes would like to see a black filmmaker taking on directing duties on Marvel’s Black Panther movie….
Marvel Studios has set aside two dates in the near future for their Phase Three slate and there’s a lot of speculation that one of these slots might be filled by Black Panther. Black Panther has had a long journey to the screen and I think this could be a really important film. It brings up a few questions like who should the play the lead, and who should be the director. Marvel has already had a few actors rumored for the role, but there’s been no news about a potential director, and I’d like to weigh in on the off chance the powers that be at Marvel get a chance to read this…
I want to be the first person to lobby for a black person in the director’s chair on Black Panther. Think about your top ten favorite directors. How many of them are of African descent? Think about your top ten favorite movies of all time. How many feature a black cast? In 2012 the only black movie to get a fresh score was Kevin Hart’s comedy special Laugh At My Pain. As a fan of cinema this is alarming to me. There have been some good black movies out recently like 42 and Beasts of the Southern Wild, but these feature Caucasian male directors. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, and I’m just glad to get some quality movies that are centered around my people, but there’s still a real lack of established black filmmakers making good movies.
Genre movies like Black Panther are a chance to make stars of up-and-comers like Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, and also a place for older talent to get new opportunities to reignite their careers (Robert Downey Jr., Shane Black, Joe Johnston etc.). Black Panther provides a wonderful opportunity to bring in an up-and-coming black filmmaker and launch them into the mainstream so they can start making smart, relevant movies and be the face of Black Hollywood. Or maybe even bring in F. Gary Gray or John Singleton and give them a great script so they can start making good movies again. There’s no reason only Tyler Perry is allowed to make black movies.
First and foremost, the most important thing when picking a director should be that they’re right for the project. I’m not saying a black director should be picked over a Caucasian director just because he’s the same race as the lead character. I’m saying if it’s a toss up between the two, pick the guy who otherwise probably wouldn’t be able to break into the industry. Hollywood has essentially boxed out black directors and writers who aren’t Tyler Perry, and as an aspiring black director myself it makes me feel like I’m wasting my time working towards a dream that’s ultimately impossible due to the industry standards. And I’m not claiming Hollywood to be racist – the same could be said of female directors, or directors of any race. If there was a Ms. Marvel or Wonder Woman movie I’d make the same argument for a women to occupy the director’s chair. I’m saddened by the lack of diversity in Hollywood, and I think Black Panther has the potential to set a new standard.
Anthony Stokes is a blogger and independent filmmaker.
Originally published June 26, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
