Director Ryan Coogler Refuses Academy Invitation

Ryan Coogler

No thank you. Rumor has it, director Ryan Coogler is not interested in becoming a member of the Academy. According to a new report, he has yet to send in his acceptance letter, and sources say he’s not interested in becoming a member.

Regina King

This summer, the organization announced it had invited 683 new members. African American and minority actors invited include Idris Elba, Regina King, Nate Parker, Michael B. Jordan, America Ferrera, Regina King.

Idris Elba

Reportedly, it was a record number of minorities with the goal of helping to diversify the membership after the 2015’s #OscarsSoWhite backlash.

Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Ryan Coogler

No word on why Coogler has declined to participate. Coogler’s first feature film, Fruitvale Station (2013), won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. He also wrote and directed the seventh film in the Rocky film saga, Creed (2015). In January 2016, Coogler signed on to co-write and direct the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther, which will star Chadwick Boseman as the title character.

Coogler will also work with frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan for the third time in the upcoming film Wrong Answer, based on the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.

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