Ryan Coogler’s Surprising Pick for the Perfect Rom-Com

Ryan Coogler’s career has been anything but predictable, with the director making a name for himself across a range of genres. Whether it’s a gritty biopic, a sports drama, or a superhero blockbuster, he’s managed to leave his mark. But even with his recent foray into vampire action, Coogler’s appreciation for romantic comedies remains strong. His early work on Fruitvale Station caught the eye of Robert Redford, setting him on a path that’s seen him avoid being boxed into any one style or genre.

While plenty of filmmakers stick to what they know, Coogler’s shown he’s not afraid to mix things up. He’s delivered a powerful biographical drama with Fruitvale Station, a crowd-pleasing sports flick in Creed, and a cultural phenomenon with Black Panther. He even dipped into horror with Sinners. So it’s not all that shocking that he’s got a soft spot for rom-coms, a genre that often gets a bit of stick from critics who take themselves too seriously. During a visit to the Criterion Closet, Coogler singled out the 1997 film Love Jones as an “exceptional” example, going so far as to call it a

“perfect movie”

.

Love Jones: A Standout in the Genre

When Love Jones hit cinemas in 1997, it stood out as one of the few mainstream romantic comedies to centre on African-American experiences, featuring an all-Black cast. The film offered a richer, more heartfelt take than the formulaic rom-coms that would flood the market in the years to follow. The chemistry between Nia Long and Larenz Tate was a big part of its appeal, with Long, a talented poet, even contributing some of her own writing to the script.

Coogler might not be the first bloke you’d think of for directing a rom-com, but he’s managed to weave genuine romantic threads into most of his films. Creed in particular benefited from the spark between Michael B Jordan and Tessa Thompson, echoing the dynamic of the original Rocky leads. Even in the Marvel universe, where love stories often fall flat, the connection between Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong’o in Black Panther stood out as one of the better ones.

Championing Underrepresented Voices

Coogler’s not just about making hits; he’s also been vocal about the need for more opportunities for Black filmmakers, many of whom haven’t received the recognition they deserve. Love Jones is now seen as a classic, but it was the only film directed by Theodore Witcher. Despite writing the crime thriller Body Count the following year, Witcher never got another shot behind the camera. The film’s lacklustre box office returns may have played a part, but it’s worth noting that plenty of white directors have been given second chances after a flop.

Whether Coogler will ever have a crack at his own romantic comedy is anyone’s guess. His next projects are already lined up, including a third chapter in the Black Panther series—rumoured to feature Denzel Washington—and a hush-hush reboot of The X-Files. With a career that’s still got plenty of legs, there’s every chance we’ll see his take on the genre down the track.