There was a rumor floating around the interwebs stating that Ava DuVernay had finalized the deal to direct Black Panther. DuVernay addressed the rumor this weekend at Essence Fest, saying that she would not be directing the film. I love that DuVernay gave the exclusive to Essence.

DuVernay spoke to Essence, saying:

“I’m not signing on to direct Black Panther. I think I’ll just say we had different ideas about what the story would be. Marvel has a certain way of doing things and I think they’re fantastic and a lot of people love what they do. I loved that they reached out to me…

I loved meeting Chadwick and writers and all the Marvel execs. In the end, it comes down to story and perspective. And we just didn’t see eye to eye. Better for me to realize that now than cite creative differences later…

I love the character of Black Panther, the nation of Wakanda and all that that could be visually. I wish them well and will be first in line to see it.”

There were many of us excited to see what DuVernay was going to do with Black Panther, but this may be for the best. Marvel does have a formula/outline for their films, and I would hate to see her creativity stifled. Although the fact they didn’t see eye to eye has me interested in Marvel is going to do with Black Panther. Hopefully they will keep to the spirit of the character. Marvel has a good track record so far, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Who would you like to see direct Black Panther?

Black Panther is scheduled to be released July 6, 2018.

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Ava DuVernay could be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is in talks with DuVernay to direct one of their “diverse” films, likely to mean Black Panther or Captain Marvel.

I think she would be a great fit for Black Panther. I think she could bring out the essence of Black Panther that we all know and love because it’s time for Black Panther to shake things up.

If DuVernay were to take on directing either film, she would be the first Black person and the first woman to direct an MCU film. It’s about time Marvel diversified its line of directors. Would you like to see Ava DuVernay direct an MCU film?

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Selma was one of the most talked about films for the latter part of last year and the first quarter of this year. Centered around the march from Selma to Montgomery and the Voting Rights Act, Selma gives us a new, refreshing look at Dr. Martin Luther King, one different than the sanitized version the media tries to sell to us. It might’ve been snubbed from some major awards, but that doesn’t take away from the brilliance of the film. Ava DuVernay has already announced that each high school will be receiving a copy of Selma. Now you can, too. Cast and crew information can be found here and a brief synopsis is included below.

Synopsis:

Selma chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay’s Selma tells the real story of the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his brothers and sisters in the movement that prompted change that forever altered history.

Selma is available here.

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Director Ava DuVernay announced at the United Nations that Paramount will be sending every high school in America a free copy of Selma. Schools will also have the opportunity to order companion study guides if teacher want to incorporate the film into their curriculum.

Of course it will be up to each school whether or not it uses its copy of Selma, but it’s a good opportunity nonetheless. The Voting Rights Act is an important part of history, and students deserve a chance to learn more about it, outside of textbooks.

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Tonight is Black Girls Rock! Black Girls Rock! is an annual award show that highlights and honors the achievement of Black women in various fields. Among those honored will be Jada Pinkett Smith, Cicely Tyson, and Ava DuVernay. Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King are hosting. Our Black women are worth celebrating so tune in. Follow us on Instagram as we’ll be showcasing photos from the event.

Black Girls Rock! airs tonight at 7/6c on BET and Centric.

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The winners of the 2015 Black Reel Awards were announced Thursday, February 19, 2015. Selma, Dear White People, Gun Hill, and The Trip to Bountiful were big winners. The full list can be found below.

Film

Outstanding Motion Picture

Selma

Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture

David Oyelowo – Selma

Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture

Gugu Mbatha-Raw – Belle

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture

Wendell Pierce – Selma

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture

Carmen Ejogo – Selma

Outstanding Director, Motion Picture

Ava DuVernay – Selma

Outstanding Screenplay, Motion Picture

Chris Rock – Top Five

Outstanding Documentary

Anita: Speaking Truth to the Power

Outstanding Ensemble

Selma

Outstanding Foreign Film

Fishing Without Nets (Kenya)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male

Tyler James Williams – Dear White People

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female

Teyonah Parris – Dear White People

Outstanding Voice Performance

Morgan Freeman – The LEGO Movie

Outstanding Score

Jason Moran – Selma

Outstanding Original Song

“Glory” from Selma – Performed by: John Legend & Common

INDEPENDENT

Outstanding Independent Feature

The Retrieval

Outstanding Independent Documentary

25 to Life

Outstanding Independent Short

#AmeriCan

TELEVISION

Outstanding Television Documentary or Special

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series

The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series

Larenz Tate – Gun Hill

Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series

Cicely Tyson – The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series

Blair Underwood – The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series

Anika Noni Rose – A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Mini-Series

Reggie Rock Bythewood – Gun Hill

Outstanding Screenplay, TV Movie or Mini-Series

Reggie Rock Bythewood – Gun Hill

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While an Oscar nomination would’ve done wonders for the careers of those with Selma, it being snubbed does not invalidate the film. Selma is still one of the best films in the past year and will be one of the best films of 2015.

These nominations is just an example of old white people whiting. If you weren’t a white male, your chance to get nominated was slim. If it wasn’t for the female acting categories, the nominations probably would’ve been all male.

Ava DuVernay’s talent may not have been recognized by the Academy or the Director’s Guild, but it’s there nonetheless. I for one will be waiting for her future projects. She can have all of my money.

At least now I have an excuse to not watch the Oscars. The Oscars may still mean a great deal to Hollywood, but awards are not the only thing that talks. Money has a loud voice. Go see Selma.

The post ‘Selma’ Snubbed, Oscars a Dud appeared first on Films of Color.

The pushback to this film only proves how great it must be. Publications are popping up everywhere trying to fact check the film. Out of all the historical films out there, most wrought with errors, fact checking arises at the same time as Selma‘s release. I just take it as the inability to find anything else wrong with it, a testament to the cast and the brilliant director, Ava DuVernay. Selma has already won numerous awards and is nominated for numerous more. Let’s start out 2015 right with a strong showing. It’s a must see for adults and children alike.

Synopsis:

The unforgettable true story chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

Cast:

David Oyelowo – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Carmen Ejogo – Coretta Scott King

Common – James Bevel

Cuba Gooding, Jr – Fred Gray

Lorraine Toussaint – Amelia Boynton Robinson

Oprah Winfrey – Annie Lee Cooper

Niecy Nash – Richie Jean Jackson

Wendell Pierce – Hosea Williams

Crew:

Director/Executive Producer – Ava DuVernay

Writer – Paul Webb

Cinematographer – Bradford Young

Opens in theaters everywhere January 9, 2015. Get your tickets here.

Source: IMDB

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