Collider: How did you come to writeBlack Pantherwith Ryan Coogler?
Did you guys know each other?
JOE ROBERT COLE: We did not know each other.
Marvel reached out to my reps about potentially writing it.
I was a big fan of his, so I was like, Yeah!
I was pretty excited about that.
Image via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Disney
Hes a gracious, collaborative person, and hes so smart.
Did you have a getting to know you period to see if this partnership would work?
COLE: Well, we both were hired.
Image via Marvel Studios
There was a natural feeling out period, but it was really a fast transition.
Our hearts were in the right place, for what we were trying to do.
That was the really important thing.
Image via Marvel Studios
We wanted to do the world building and create this entire world, so that was one pillar.
I think that was our approach, really.
We tried to focus on character and humanity, and really personalize it.
Image via Marvel Studios
The inspired work of our production designer and costume designer just did fantastic with it.
COLE: Yeah, we had some.
Ultimately, we kept getting back into the more personal thing of staying within the nation.
Image via Marvel Studios
What did you want to include that you guys just couldnt figure out?
No, Im kidding!
I feel like we found the right story.
Image via Marvel Studios
I dont have any feelings like that.
How did the script change, at all, as a result of casting?
Is there any one cast member that most affected their character?
COLE: Obviously, we knew that Chad [Boseman] was TChalla.
Also, very early on, we knew that Michael [B. Jordan] was gonna play Erik.
There are so many great and memorable moments in this film.
What do you think it is that makes him such a good villain?
Sometimes its how far you take things that makes you a villain, and not necessarily the perspective.
Hes effective because he really affects our hero.
TChalla ends up the same place that he does, philosophically, through his interactions with him.
TChalla is there out of empathy for the world, and Killmonger is there out of pain.
He affects TChalla in a way that I think is really meaningful, and meaningful to the story structure.
You understand why hes so angry versus just wanting to control the world.
And Michael is irresistible and so likeable.
How do you step out of the world ofBlack Pantherand do the next thing?
Whats next for you?
COLE: This is a singular thing.
Im still processing what it is.
But, my next thing is that Im going to direct a movie this summer.
Im going to be shooting in July and August, so Im focusing on that.
That is a script that Im really proud of, so thats my next thing.
Lakeith and Jeffrey are fantastic.
What is that film about?
COLE: Its calledAll Day and a Night.
It puts a face on the people that our society casts aside as criminals.
The best way to describe it is that its a human story steeped in a crime genre aesthetic.
Its like watchingScarface, but if it was at Sundance.
Its a crime movie, but its really a human story.
And Lakeith and Jeffrey are my father and son.
After that, are you ready to direct a big Marvel movie?
COLE: It might take me a couple more movies before Im ready to do that.
Id love to write another one.
Id love to be a part of it, anywhere I can.
Black Pantheropens in theaters on February 16th.
