Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Director Ryan Coogler Responds To Rumors He Has Been Selected To Direct The 2026 MCU Crossover Movie Avengers: Secret Wars. the 2026 avengers movie is currently the last planned movie of Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Coogler’s sequel to 2018 Black Pantherwhich already scores largely positive early responses, is around the corner and will hit theaters on November 11.
Ready to bring Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a close, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will bring the public back to the kingdom of Wakanda in a time of crisis as the country grapples with the loss of King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and the threat of conflict with the underwater nation of Talokan, led by Namor (Tenoch Huerta). Facing the prospect of war, Shuri (Letitia Wright), Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Okoye (Danai Gurira), M’Baku (Winston Duke), and Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) must rise to the challenge and join forces with new allies like Riri Williams, Dominique Thorne’s genius inventor, to defend Wakanda and help decide the future. With Coogler at the helm of both 2018s Black Panther and the upcoming sequel, both of which have received critical acclaim, many viewers feel the director is the perfect choice to tackle the highly anticipated 2026 Avengers: Secret Warsand Coogler has now responded to rumors of his possible involvement in the film.
During an interview with ComicBook.com (later reported by the direct), Coogler was asked if he would be interested in directing Avengers: Secret Wars follow his work Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The director quickly dismissed the idea, stressing that he was still focused on the… Black Panther provisional continuation. Watch the full exchange with the director below:
Aaron Perine: Okay. Some fans want you to direct Secret Wars. Are you open to that if they want you?
Ryan Coogler: Now what?
Perine: They want you to direct Secret Wars. The fans, the streets, that’s what they want!
Coogler: Man, which streets, bro? What are you talking about, brother?!
Perine: I said everyone, so yes!
Coogler: Bro, I haven’t heard anything about that man, I’m trying to finish this one!
Will Avengers: Secret Wars director be an MCU veteran or newcomer?
While the previous crossover movie, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, found his director with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsDestin Daniel Cretton, Avengers: Secret Wars has yet to find its director, leading to speculation about who would be the best choice to direct the film. While new directors can help provide a fresh look at the MCU, many think it would be best for Marvel Studios to recruit a director familiar with the franchise, and with making big-budget movies, to oversee to hold onto crossover features, as seen previously with Cretton and both Joe. and Anthony Russo is looking for someone Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, after their work at the Captain America series. With Coogler having a hand in developing Wakanda in the MCU all over the Black Panther movies, as well as his involvement in upcoming Disney+ series like iron heart as part of a five-year deal with Disney, many feel Coogler’s experience makes him an ideal candidate to complete the potential completion of the Multiverse Saga.
Of Avengers: Secret Wars With the incredible responsibility of wrapping up The Multiverse Saga, a story developed across 36 currently confirmed MCU projects, it’s understandable why many viewers are concerned about who can take on the directing duties. And, with Coogler’s already established successes with Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverIn addition to future involvement with the MCU, the director has the experience with the franchise to handle such a task. But with the sequel yet to make its debut and Coogler is still producing iron heart and planning to develop a Disney+ series focused on Wakanda, the director can focus on working on closer projects before even considering joining Avengers: Secret Wars writer Michael Waldron on the final chapter of Phase 6.
Source: ComicBook.com (via direct)
