Ryan Coogler will once again be teaming up with Michael B. Jordan for the new film Wrong Answer, a movie inspired by true events. Back in 2013, Coogler's feature debut as a director, Fruitvale Station, wowed audiences and critics with its brutal story following an infamous 2009 shooting. After a few smaller roles, star Michael B. Jordan quickly became a rising star following his performance. Surprising everyone, they next teamed up for the Rocky pseudo-sequel Creed, which made both Jordan and Coogler into Hollywood heavy-hitters and teased the scope of what they could do.
Thanks to Coogler's acclaim, fans were ecstatic upon learning that he'd be helming Black Panther for Marvel with an all-star cast to match. Sure enough, Jordan claimed a role in the movie, and is set to play antagonist Erik Killmonger. At this point, Jordan has collaborated with Coogler on every feature the director has tackled to date. And thanks to a new announcement, it looks as if the partnership will continue.
Deadline reports that following Black Panther, Coogler will next direct the film Wrong Answer for New Regency and Plan B. The Plan B team, including Brad Pitt, will produce the story based on the infamous standardized-test-rigging scandal from 2013. Unsurprisingly, Jordan will star in the film, portraying teacher Damany Lewis who lead the scheme in real life. Rounding out the pedigree of the movie will be Ta-Nehisi Coates, who will write the script based on the original New Yorker article by Rachel Aviv. Both Aviv and Lewis will also be on board as consultants.
The story grew out of the controversial No Child Left Behind initiative, which pressured schools and teachers into upping test scores for students for various forms of standardized testing. The push was widely criticized, as it was deemed to focus on a set of tests that have long been considered ineffectual. The move also essentially punished teachers who failed to meet the quotas expected, leading to issues amongst underprivileged and underserved schools and students. It was out of this environment that Lewis and other teachers began the biggest cheating scandal in the history of the U.S. in order to assist their at-risk classrooms.
For Coates, Jordan, and Coogler, the territory will be familiar. Both Coogler and Jordan had to interpret a controversial, real-world incident with Fruitvale Station. Coates, meanwhile, has made a name for himself thanks to his powerful pieces for The Atlantic and his book Between the World and Me which grapples with the black experience in America.
The three creatives also share a spiritual connection in that Black Panther will take certain cues from Coates' work on the recent run of the comic book of the same name. The book has been widely praised, while Coates has proven to be one of the more prestigious outside writers for Marvel. Wrong Answer will also follow-up previous successful collaborations between New Regency and Plan B, namely 12 Years a Slave and The Big Short. We'll bring you more news on Wrong Answer as it arrives.
Next: Black Panther: Angela Bassett Praises ‘Beautiful & Magnetic’ Cast
Source: Deadline
