Report: Director Ryan Coogler Declines Invitation to Motion Picture Academy

Marvel – 2016(LOS ANGELES) — Acclaimed director Ryan Coogler reportedly is not interested in joining the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

According to the The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker, whose 2015 film Creed was cited as an example of a movie that was overlooked — despite a nomination for supporting actor Sylvester Stallone — during the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, was one of the many new, younger and more racially and gender diverse class of invitees.

However, Coogler has not sent in his acceptance letter, and sources tell THR that he has no desire to join.

Coogler’s reported refusal is said not to be related to any demonstration against the industry. Sources close to THR speculate that Coogler may go the way of Woody Allen and Sean Penn, who are, “uninterested in judging other people’s art.”

In June, the Academy started a diversity initiative, which invited 683 new members to its prestigious community in an attempt to diversify its strongly white, male and older ranks. Nate Parker, Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, America Ferrera and Regina King were among the invitees.

Coogler, in the meanwhile, is gearing up for his next project, Marvel’s Black Panther.

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