8 Filmmakers Who Had "Creative Differences" With Marvel Studios

4. Ava DuVernay

Selma director Ava DuVernay has been outspoken about there being far too few female and minority directors working on Hollywood features. In July 2015, it was announced that DuVernay was in negotiations with Marvel Studios to direct 2018's Black Panther. Had she accepted the job she would have been both the first woman and the first person of African descent to direct a Marvel Studios film. Appropriately, Black Panther is Marvel's first black superhero character. With DuVernay, Marvel would have had a skilled filmmaker working on a lesser-known minority character's movie and also would have scored positive press by embracing diverse filmmakers. However, it was not to be. Just over a week after the discussions news was reported, she revealed to Essence that she passed on the opportunity because "we just didn't see eye to eye." Though she was very complimentary of Marvel, possibly as a nod to other directors who departed Marvel projects she added, "Better for me to realise that now than cite creative differences later.€ Still, it was very surprising to see how quickly DuVernay went from being Marvel's top choice to taking herself out of the running for a job she clearly wanted. Regardless, Marvel has yet to announce a director for Black Panther.