MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Ryan Coogler arrest: Outrage as 'Black Panther' director MISTAKEN for bank robber

'We need to continue to tackle internalized anti-Blackness within our communities,' a Twitter user noted

Ryan Coogler, the director of Marvel's blockbuster franchise 'Black Panther' was arrested after being mistaken for a bank robber. The incident, which took place in January 2022, recently came to light after bodycam footage of his arrest was released online. The 35-year-old filmmaker can be seen at the bank counter, wearing a green hoodie, black beanie, sunglasses, and a white face mask.

The bank staff reportedly called the police on him when he handed over a note to the employee, where he mentioned, "I would like to withdraw $12,000 CASH from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I'd like to be discreet." Police has revealed that the cashier who reported Coogler as a bank robber was a "pregnant black woman". Coogler was detained along with two others, who had accompanied him to the bank in an SUV. However, he was let go once the cops realized it was a misunderstanding. 

READ MORE

'Creed 2' first trailer: Michael B. Jordan jumps back into the ring to face Viktor Drago

'Black Panther 2': Release date, plot, cast and everything you need to know about MCU's first movie in Phase 5

A recording of the 911 call from the frightened bank staffer has also been released online, where she reported Coogler as a potential threat. 

According to the latest report by TMZ, Ryan Coogler holds an account at the Bank of America and he visited the Atlanta branch in January to withdraw $12,000. Coogler, who is a resident of California, had been in Atlanta for the last few months to film the upcoming Black Panther sequel, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'. The production of the much-awaited film had been interrupted by the pandemic as well as cast injuries and vaccine-related controversies. 

Coogler was reportedly "furious" about the entire 'bank robber' episode. He even demanded to know the badge numbers of the police officials who handcuffed him. 

In a recent conversation with Variety, Coogler said, "This situation should never have happened. However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on." Meanwhile, Bank of America issued a statement saying, "We deeply regret that this incident occured."

As soon as the incident was reported by TMZ, Black Panther fans expressed their outrage online, accusing Bank of America of racism and lack of common sense. 

Rapper Guapdad 4000 tweeted in protest, saying, "Bank of America should have never done that to Ryan Coogler .. racist a** sh*t . Now I’m about to start scamming again smh look what y’all made me do."

Another user tweeted, "We need to continue to tackle internalized anti-Blackness within our communities. That body cam footage of Ryan Coogler in that bank exposed all of that self hate. They didn't see him as human. They didn't care that he was Black like them. They viewed him as a THUG. #BlackPanther."

Richard Newby, a journalist from The Hollywood Reporter, tweeted, "I just want Ryan Coogler to have better years ahead. Man has been put through it."

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.