Ryan Coogler Sets Sights on Black Panther 3: Release Window, Cast Rumors & What Fans Can Expect

LOS ANGELES — Ryan Coogler’s name lit up Hollywood over the weekend as the visionary behind “Black Panther” and this year’s breakout hit “Sinners” stepped into the spotlight at the 14th annual LACMA Art + Film Gala, presented by Gucci. The fundraiser, which shattered its own record by pulling in $6.5 million, delayed its program so guests could watch the Dodgers clinch a World Series win before turning full attention to Coogler’s career-spanning tribute. Angela Bassett, shimmering in gold, delivered an emotional salute to her “Queen Mother” collaborator. “Ryan never loses focus on the people at the center of his stories,” she told a crowd that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Ava DuVernay, Kerry Washington, Cynthia Erivo and Tessa Thompson. Moments later, Doja Cat’s 30-minute set kept energy high as Gucci-clad guests—from moguls Bob Iger and George Lucas to models Kaia Gerber and Paloma Elsesser—raised a toast to Coogler’s meteoric rise. The Oakland native used his acceptance speech to honor late marketing strategist Michael Latt and to credit Los Angeles’ creative community for shaping his artistic voice. Wearing a red “Lead With Love” pin, Coogler reflected on discovering LACMA as a broke USC student who dreamed of “painting with film”—a dream now realized in blockbusters that blend art, commerce and cultural impact. Industry watchers see the gala as the unofficial kickoff of Coogler’s awards-season sprint. “Sinners,” his Southern-Gothic thriller starring longtime muse Michael B. Jordan, is already on shortlists from Camerimage to the Oscars. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. has staked out March 7, 2025 for Coogler’s next, still-untitled feature, again headlined by Jordan. With studio chiefs, streaming bosses and fashion royalty cheering him on, Coogler’s message resonated: “I think I’m the luckiest man in the world; being a filmmaker is the best job in the world.” As awards chatter builds and anticipation mounts for his 2025 release, one thing is clear—Ryan Coogler isn’t just controlling the narrative; he’s redefining it for a new generation of storytellers.