Title: Famed Filmmaker Ryan Coogler to Helm Upcoming Musical on Pop Icon Prince
Key Takeaways:
– Director Ryan Coogler, best known for his work with Marvel’s Black Panther, is collaborating with Universal Pictures on a new musical project about American pop star Prince.
– Coogler continues his trajectory of championing Black narratives in Hollywood.
– The Black Panther director is bankrolling this project under his production banner, Proximity Media.
– Details about whether Coogler will personally direct the new Prince musical project remain uncertain. In the meantime, his upcoming vampire project with Michael B. Jordan is generating substantial buzz.
(Source: [FandomWire](https://fandomwire.com/from-vampire-film-to-jukebox-musical-ryan-coogler-grabs-headlines-with-latest-project-on-musical-genius-prince/))
Ryan Coogler: Documenting Black Excellence
At just 37 years old, Ryan Coogler has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most influential Black directors and writers. Notably, his directorial prowess shone during the making of the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther, which commemorated the late iconic actor Chadwick Boseman. Now, Coogler is set to document the life of yet another Black icon – the legendary pop star, Prince.
Adding Another Feather in His Cap
As reported by Jeff Sneider in his blog, The Insneider, Coogler has signed on to produce a biographical musical film about Prince, in collaboration with Universal Pictures. Shouldering this project alongside his wife, Zinzi Coogler, under their production banner Proximity Media, he continues his series of compelling Black narratives. The project will also involve Rebecca Cho, serving as executive producer.
Coogler’s Rich Portfolio
Coogler’s phenomenal career began with his debut movie “Fruitvale Station,” which bagged the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The filmmaker cemented his commercial success with the Marvel movie Black Panther, earning high praise for being the highest-grossing film ever made by an African American director. Other projects include the emotionally charged sequel to Black Panther, titled “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and 2015’s “Creed”.
Plans for the Prince Musical
While Coogler’s involvement as a producer is confirmed, whether he will personally serve as the director for the upcoming musical remains to be seen. Given Coogler’s previous musical collaborations, such as his Grammy-nominated work with Rihanna on “Lift Me Up,” the soundtrack for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” fans and critics are gearing for a potential spectacle harnessing Coogler’s cinematic and musical expertise coupled with Prince’s unique style.
Challenges with Black Panther Sequel
Despite a string of successful project releases, Coogler faced significant adversity while working on the sequel to Marvel’s Black Panther due to the sudden demise of key actor Chadwick Boseman. As revealed to The Hollywood Reporter, the deeply poignant script, designed around a father-son relationship, had to be entirely revamped following Boseman’s passing.
Leaving no stone unturned, Coogler detailed an animated sequence originally intended for the film involving two characters, Nakia and her son, Toussaint. Yet, despite such calamitous setbacks, the film still emerged as a touching tribute to Boseman.
Looking Ahead
Ryan Coogler continues his pioneering work in supporting diverse narratives, championing Black culture, and breaking barriers in Hollywood. His upcoming Prince musical, in partnership with Universal Pictures, adds to his repertoire of unique works that celebrate Black culture. Simultaneously, his vampire feature with Michael B. Jordan is gathering attention with its potential to set another career milestone. Despite the adversities, Coogler remains an inspiring figure, pushing the boundaries, and paving new and diverse paths in Hollywood.
