*Ryan Coogler has clarified that declining an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was not motivated by past snubs or bitterness.
“It’s not out of animosity,” the director told The New York Times, citing the demands of his busy schedule, which includes union work and teaching at film school, as reasons for his decision. “And I’m not good at judging things, bro. The act of ‘Hey, pick the best thing’ is very stressful for me, even when there’s no stakes involved.”
The Academy first extended Coogler an invitation to join in 2016 after the critical and commercial triumph of “Creed.” That film earned a single Oscar nomination—for Sylvester Stallone—while Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, and the movie itself were passed over entirely. Years later, despite “Black Panther” (2018) making history with a Best Picture nomination and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022) landing multiple nods, Coogler was again excluded from the Best Director category both times.
Despite his awards-season history, Coogler remains focused on the craft rather than recognition. He is currently concentrating on his television debut with a reboot of the cult sci-fi series “The X-Files.”
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“I’m working on X-Files. That’s what’s immediately next,” he told Last Podcast on the Left. “I’ve been excited about that for a long time… some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f*cking scary.” Coogler will write, executive produce, and potentially direct the series, which aims to feature a diverse cast and modernized storytelling while appealing to longtime fans.
“I was talking to a writer … and she said how she sees movies is you’re looking at the most important moment in a character’s life, and with TV you’re looking at the most important journey in a character’s life … that hit me pretty hard … I’m a movie person … and I’m learning to be a television person right now,” said Coogler, per an X post by CultureCrave.
Originally debuting in 1993, “The X-Files” became a television phenomenon, blending paranormal mystery with science fiction and psychological suspense. Series star Gillian Anderson confirmed discussions with Coogler but has not committed to reprising her role as Dana Scully: “I talked to Ryan Coogler a while back to be told that he was [making the show], and that’s kind of where it was. I have no idea where they are at, or if it’s at. There’s a big difference between [that and] thinking about it,” she said.
David Duchovny has also expressed openness to returning as Fox Mulder, and sources report that Danielle Deadwyler is in talks to play one of the lead investigators.
Alongside the “The X-Files” reboot, Coogler is also preparing a third “Black Panther” installment, keeping his focus on creative challenges rather than industry accolades.
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