Dearest Ryan,
Coogler, btw. And Zinzi. I rode by the High Museum today as I was out purchasing for my business.
[Uh. I need a job, btw. 😉 ]
As I rode by the High, I thought of Black Panther, mostly, because I heard the news. Good? Bad? I dunno.
I see that you have chosen to recast Michael B. Jordan, one of my loves. That is what has prompted his open letter to be penned to you, kind Hollywood director, and super producer, wife. Please do as I have asked – though quite outlandish. 🙂
I have been a big fan of his and, yours, since CREED I. Wow, am thankful that movie exists. Michael is SO CUTE. In fact, I would go back even further, back to that movie with Zac Efron – yes, I do not remember the name of said film, but I knew then, that he was very, very cute. Update – after a quick search, the movie is called, That Awkward Moment.
Michael likes ice cream, too. I recommend, this.
But CREED cinched it for me. Yes. Creed aside, which is so, so good, I mean, really – for you to have been so novice, it came out so well. I know how hard it was to get the movie made (I have watched all of the ROCKY films and I think you made a good choice with the development of the CREED character). Really, I was very enthusiastic about your start in Hollywood. As you have received so many accolades for Fruitvale, I will not go into further details on that, however, that film is quite, quite good, too.
Michael is really talented at playing crazies.
Have you seen this?
Both of you, and Michael, are on the list.
I have reviewed the work that is forthcoming and, though I am excited (OMG – Michael, Thomas Crown Affair is top of my list next year. Just so you know, I’m going to watch both of the older films just so that I can have a healthy respect for what you have taken on. I’m sure that there is some interesting twist to the film as you are a very creative man.)
Anyway, back to Ryan. I know that are very busy. All those award wins and business meetings. Writing scripts, kids, lovely wife.
I have one ask. If you keep making Black Panther movies and shows – can you make a Kilmonger movie? This character needs more justice than just a few lines in a film, and Michael was in his mid to late 20s when he starred initially – as a visual person, and though Michael is very healthy and looks great (as you know, cause you keep casting him, he is VERY handsome), he definitely looks older. How does one travel back in time while physically racing against the clock (read below to see why this is important)? Not only that, the character isn’t alive in the arcs – or as I believe, should not be. How do they, Hollywood elite, find a way out this one? The character died from a terrible stab wound. Though they do have the ability to heal just about anything in Wakanda, I’m sure that there is some secret overlap with the Xmen – Wolverine? Sabertooth? Or so we assumed, how would he have lived? And yet, somehow, the role was reprised. I have so many issues with this, not only with Hollywood, but with entertainment in general.
Make it make sense and I’m sure it will.
My proposal is that you make a film titled, “ERIK” and that it covers his upbringing and all of the obstacles he had to overcome to get to that point in BLACK PANTHER 1.
I will be your fan regardless, however, I think that would truly bring some real depth to this character beyond what could be captured in the first move. Honestly, when I recollect on the experience of watching the first film, I was kind of lost as the Kilmonger story setting happened at a very breakneck pace. Btw, I do not think that he, Michael was that scary in the first one. To me, he is like Vegeta. He is a man seeking revenge for all that wronged him life, which is inherently unpleasant, but not necessarily scary. When thinking of this within the context of the Marvel Universe, no one really knew that ERIK was doing that, but himself ( based on what I know about what was presented with the character.) I am sure that you, Mr. Coogler, talented screenwriter and notable director, with the help of MARVEL, would truly create something great for ERIK. By the way, years ago, I quickly researched him in the MARVEL Universe and he is not good looking. Much like Vegeta, in fact. I personally, prefer, Goku.
The ARMS. Enough said. As an aside, I do have some issues with Goku as a character, though. He is kind of sucky. Really. Within the context of DBZ, he is not a great man, just a great hero who is really, a man – alien – monkey? His tail was removed – okay. He is like a lesser Superman, of sorts. Superman, though, definitely dreamed of love.
I have a few theories, however, as it pertains to ERIK’s reprisal:
Perhaps the king was not so good himself. RIP Chadwick x T’Challa.
Perhaps, Erik is a mutant.
Maybe, it just needs to be fleshed out.
I could always go back and read the comics.
Ryan and, Zinzi, hopefully we can chat one day. I also hope you read my SINNERS theory. It is somewhat embedded on my threads – SMOKE. Smoke is a day walker. That man is still alive.