In this Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 file photo, director Ryan Coogler attends The National Board of Review Gala, honoring the 2015 award winners, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
"Creed" helmer Ryan Coogler is set to direct Marvel and Disney's "Black Panther" movie, the studio announced on Monday.
Chadwick Boseman has already been cast as the lead character, who will make his first appearance in May's "Captain America: Civil War." The "Black Panther" film, set for a release in February 2018, marks the first time a major Marvel Studios film will focus primarily on a black superhero.
There was much speculation surrounding who would take on the directing job. Ava DuVernay earlier this year passed on the film. Coogler was another favorite choice among fans.
The 29-year-old director gained widespread recognition for his Sundance breakout "Fruitvale Station" and this year has been making waves with "Creed," a continuation of the Rocky Balboa franchise focused on Apollo Creed's son.
This image released by Hallmark Media shows Hunter King, left, and Tyler Hynes in a scene from "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story. (Joshua Haines/Hallmark Media via AP)
Two new Christmas TV movies have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding.
"Christmas in the Spotlight" debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world's biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger as a pro football player, who meet and fall in love — not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
"It's clearly inspired by Taylor and Travis, but I don't know them and I don't know what is going on behind the scenes. I only know what's been put out there," said Eirene Tran Donohue, a longtime, devoted fan who jumped at the opportunity to write a script even loosely based on her favorite musician.
She was inspired by the couple's support of each other's accomplishments, particularly Kelce's ease with dating the star despite the glare of the spotlight, adding, "I love the way that he celebrates her."
Tran Donohue wants fellow Swift fans to know she wrote the script with them in mind.
"There are so many Easter eggs," she said of little details added that a Swift fan would pick up on. "I put in as many as I could."
Then, on Nov. 30, Hallmark will air "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story." Instead of a nod to Swift, it's an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark's headquarters is also in Kansas City, so it makes sense why the company chose the Chiefs to be highlighted.
In this story, written by Julie Sherman Wolfe, sparks fly when a new employee for the Chiefs organization (Tyler Hynes) meets a woman — played by Hunter King — whose family's dedication to the team goes back generations.
Sherman Wolfe, a San Francisco 49ers fan, said she got the call a week after Super Bowl LVIII, when the Chiefs... Read More
