Black Panther 2directorRyan Cooglerhas confirmed he will not be taking production for the upcoming MCU film out of the state of Georgia, which is currently under fire for new voting laws.In an op-ed for Shadow and Act, Coogler was sure to note that he does not agree with the new legislation, set forth in Senate Bill 202, but is opting to keep production in Georgia, as to not further hurt those who are affected by the restrictive voting laws. The director has made it clear that he is “profoundly disappointed” by SB202, and will dedicate his free time to talking to citizens of the state as well as its lawmakers to fight what PresidentJoe Bidenis calling “Jim Crow in the 21st century.”
“I will encourage everyone working with me to tap in with the local community directly affected by Senate Bill 202 and to leverage their influence and resources to aid in the fight for this particular and essential pillar of democracy,” Coogler noted. He also added that he made it his “personal commitment to raise awareness about ways to help overturn this harmful bill,” while promising to encourage those who work with him on the film to do the same.
RELATED:‘Black Panther’ Spinoff Show Coming to Disney+ as Part of Overall Ryan Coogler Deal
The director’s decision to keepBlack Panther 2in Georgia follows the news of other productions moving out of the state as part of a much-supported boycott. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, directorJames Mangoldhas vowed to not film in the peach state again due to the laws, whileWill SmithandAntoine Fuquahave also contributed to the boycott bypulling their upcoming filmEmancipationfrom the state.
Some are fighting back against those who are boycotting Georgia, especiallyMartin Luther King Jr.’s daughterBernice King, whotweetedthat the movement is more hurtful than helpful. “Please stop the #BoycottGeorgia talk,” she wrote. “That would hurt middle-class workers and people grappling with poverty. And it would increase the harm of both racism and classism.”
Black Panther 2is set to begin production later this year, with a current release date of June 28, 2025.
KEEP READING:‘Black Panther 2’: Ryan Coogler Says Writing Without Chadwick Boseman Is “The Hardest Thing I’ve Had to Do in My Professional Life”
