Marvel hasn’t had the easiest time finding the right director for Black Panther, their upcoming superhero movie. The were originally in talks with Ava DuVernay (Selma) who eventually passed. They later set their sights on F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton) who also passed, choosing instead to direct Fast & Furious 8. Now, it seems like Marvel has zeroed in on their latest candidate: Creed and Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler.

Heroic Hollywood is reporting Coogler has had talks with Marvel about the job and, while it’s unclear how far along those talks are, he’s the studio’s top contender for the job. Coogler had apparently made it known that he was willing to work on big commercial fare, so there appears to be interest on his side as well.

If everything we’re hearing about Creed so far is true (which, essentially, is that it’s pretty incredible and may even be a surprise Oscar contender), it’s smart for Marvel to start talking to Coogler now before he gets snatched up by another tentpole franchise.

Black Panther already has Chadwick Boseman lined up to star and he’ll be making his debut in Captain America: Civil War next year. Marvel recently hired Joe Robert Cole to work on the script, and if Coogler signs on, he’d work alongside Cole to shape the upcoming project.

Black Panther is set to open in theaters on February 16, 2018.

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