Ryan Coogler unsure about directing Creed 2 because of Black Panther commitment

He said of the Marvel film: 'I’ve got to hit the ground running up front'

Angry Young Man Ryan Coogler’s intense debut Fruitvale Station could become the defining race-relations drama of his generation. (Jason Alden)

Ryan Coogler may only be 29-years-old - relatively fresh out of film school - but he’s already directed two critically acclaimed films, one starring Oscar nominee Sylvester Stallone, and is on board to helm a multi-million dollar franchise, Black Panther.

Unfortunately, directing the Marvel flick could very well clash with work on a sequel to Creed, the Rocky spin-off that recently reached the UK.

“I’m not sure. Obviously, I’d love to, man,” he tells The Independent after being asked whether he will direct Creed 2. “It’s all about scheduling and timing. With signing on the Panther, we’ve got a lot of work to do and a tall order in what seems like a lot of time, but what I’ve learnt about doing Creed is that it is not a lot of time at all. So I’ve got to hit the ground running up front.”

Coogler went on to detail his love for both the Rocky and Marvel franchises, adding that with a Creed sequel: “the one thing we want to make sure is that the story is something that means something to us outside of just cashing in.

“We want to make sure we have something to say culturally and poignant for these characters, that’s reason to go back. If it has to move on while we’re working on [Black Panther] and I can’t be involved, I can’t be mad at that.”

In a separate interview with The Independent, Michael B. Jordan, star of Creed, said that if Coogler doesn't return he's not sure if he will be back either: “I trusted my career with Ryan and it’s one of those things where, the world that he recreated and added on to with Creed is truly special, so I can’t imagine that world without Coog doing it.”

Black Panther will be played by Chadwick Boseman in the upcoming Marvel film. The character will first make an appearance in Captain America: Civil War alongside numerous other Avengers.

Meanwhile, Creed is showing in UK cinemas