The Academy, best known as the group that organizes and votes on the Academy Awards (“The Oscars”) aka The show that is run by older white gentlemen who “occasionally mix up the envelope.”

This year’s push toward a more inclusive Academy included a majority of female invitees for the first time, including Gurira, Mindy Kaling, and many more (If they ask Zoe Saldana … that would be life right there).

After this year’s class, 31% of the Academy will be made up of women, and 16% will be people of color. That last statistic is particularly notable in that it has doubled in the past three years, according to  Variety.

This year, as the Academy moves to diversify, Coogler’s Black Panther remains in the conversation for numerous Academy Awards — an accomplishment which would distinguish it from Marvel’s other big critical and commercial hits, were it to happen.

The Academy is trying to show diversity. They want everyone to know it’s about equality and respect. If Black Panther manages to come away with multiple nominations, it will show the world the change the Academy is willing to make.

The Academy itself — with over 900 invitations sent out this year — is likely to continue this trend of diversity through expansion rather than attrition, resulting in a group that is not only more inclusive but overall larger, with Variety speculating that it will soon be roughly double its size from just a decade ago.

Do you think Danai Gurira deserves to be a part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? Will Double Shot show up in Avengers 4? Let me know on Twitter and Instagram @BlueJayHJB and follow SEVNetwork on Instagram @sevnetwork

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Last month, rumor circulated that the Fruitvale Station and Creed director was in talks with Marvel Studios to helm the upcoming superhero film. Today, we have the word from Marvel’s Kevin Feige that Coogler is, officially, on board for the ‘Phase Three’ entry into the franchise.

“We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family,“ said Feige. “The talents Ryan showcased in his first two films easily made him our top choice to direct ‘Black Panther.’  Many fans have waited a long time to see Black Panther in his own film, and with Ryan we know we’ve found the perfect director to bring T’Challa’s story to life.”

Features a script by Joe Robert Cole (Amber Lake) and starring 42 and Get On Up actor Chadwick Boseman as the king of Wakanda himself, Black Panther is slated to hit theaters on February 16, 2018. Aside from actor Andy Serkis reprising his role as the villainous Ulysses Klaw, after his introduction in Avengers: Age of Ultron,  it is yet unknown who our cast for the film will consist of. Indeed, it is early days for what will be Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is already brimming with upcoming titles scheduled for the coming years.

Boseman will make his first appearance as T’Challa aka Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War — the ‘kick-off’ film to Phase Three of the MCU — which will be released May 6, 2016.

As always, stay plugged in to SE for more Comic Nook News as it develops.

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