If the MCU is going to embrace ‘Wakanda Forever’, Shuri the badass needs her own movie.
Black Panther director Ryan Coogler got into some meaty topics during his two-hour chat with Elvis Mitchell at Cannes this week. According to Variety, he unabashedly declared his clear and present interest in directing a movie where the Black Panther is played by a woman.
Coogler discussed the inherent value he sees in featuring badass women in their own films but had to note the lack of financial value the industry places on such a venture. Let’s be straight: the industry as a whole, not necessarily the Marvel Cinematic Universe in this case, wrings their hands over the attendance of films featuring women or people of color because of institutional racism. You know it. I know it.
Why does it matter? Because people need to see themselves on the screen. If they don’t, things won’t ever change. At some point, the industry has to commit. And, while Black Panther and Wonder Woman were ground shaking and highly entertaining, incredibly well-made films, we need more.
We need more of such films which feature complex characters, heroes and villains alike, who are women and people of color. And their point of view must drive the story.
If women and black men as heroes are underrepresented, then black women are among those served the very least. It’s such a big deal that the MCU’s next Tony Stark type is an African woman.
In that regard, this conversation doesn’t quite feel like a newfound viewpoint for Coogler. Since the debut of the film, the cast and crew have lauded the value of black heroes and the importance of seeing an Africa fit to inspire us to greatness on the big screen.
Back in February, The Root put together a bunch of cast interviews for a glimpse at the ensemble’s passion for representation.
The post Ryan Coogler Endorses Shuri for Black Panther appeared first on Film School Rejects.
0 comments:
Post a Comment