Ryan Coogler on the Theme of ‘Black Panther’

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 4:9

Writer/director Ryan Coogler is having quite a run these days. He followed Fruitville Station and Creed with Black Panther. While all three have had critical acclaim, Black Panther‘s global box office launch has made $400 million plus coming out of the gate.  (Over $200 million of that coming from the U.S. over the last few days.)

“The theme of the film is, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Each character has a different answer to that question and only one changes his answer…My favorite action movies have themes that are deep, that you can chew on. And that what was what we were trying to do, to make a movie that functions the way it was supposed to but has some depth to it.”
Ryan Coogler on Black Panther
Interview with Nell Minow

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More Thoughts on Theme
Scott Frank on Theme
Kelly Marcel on Theme

Scott W. Smith