Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige and director Jon Favreau recently reminisced about opening night of 2008’s Iron Man in a video celebrating the film’s 15th anniversary. Turns out, it was technically the first time Feige rubbed shoulders with Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, though the producer didn’t know it at the time.
Feige discussed how he, Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., and others from the Iron Man team introduced the film in the historic Cinerama Dome at the former Arclight Hollywood theater. According to Feige, “Many years later, I learned that Ryan Coogler, who would go on to direct Black Panther, was in the audience that night.”
Apparently, Coogler waited to tell Feige about the serendipitous screening until they were deep into production on the first Black Panther. The way Coogler tells it, he was in college at the time and was a little late to the screening. Coogler grabbed some popcorn and upon entering the theater had to walk past the Iron Man filmmakers, including Feige, as the movie began.
Years later, Coolger told Feige that the entire team “looked confident” about the film. Of course, Feige and Favreau both said they don’t remember feeling confident at all, but then allowed for the possibility that they were feeling good after introducing the movie to a hyped-up audience. Favreau quipped that Coogler “was projecting” his own confidence upon seeing a group of artists and knowing he had the talent to work with them someday.
The rest is history: Coogler saw one of the most important superhero films of all time, and perhaps thought to himself, “I can do that.” Then, he went on to make a pair of MCU films that many consider among the best the franchise has to offer. Coogler is also one of the only directors to bring a distinct style to the MCU, along with the likes of Favreau, Joss Whedon, and James Gunn. Sounds like it was meant to be, and we’re glad Coogler found his way into the universe that Feige launched that fateful night.
