Ryan Coogler has quietly signed a deal to write and direct Black Panther 2.

A sequel was always expected due to the massive success for the first film, but Marvel is said to have wanted to keep the team behind Black Panther for the next film, so the timing was up in the air.

The Hollywood Reporter, who first broke the news, says, “In the weeks prior and after to the movie’s February release, both Marvel and Coogler’s camp were hounded about when a sequel deal would be inked. Typically, a filmmaker is more than willing to quickly sign on for a follow-up, and a studio is eager to snap up a key piece of talent in the lead-up to or right after a successful opening. But Coogler’s camp shook off the peer pressure and took its time in making a deal, which occurred under the radar some time ago.”

Interesting indeed! The current plan, reportedly, is for Coogler to write the film next year and for production to begin in late 2019 or early 2020.

Next on Coogler’s slate is Wrong Answer, which stars frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan. He’s also executive producing the Terence Nance-directed Space Jam film starring LeBron James.