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Although Ava DuVernay’s helm at the head of the upcoming Black Panther superhero flick would have resulted in the ultimate measure of Blackness, it seems it just wasn’t meant to be.

The 42-year-old director who made a name for herself for the bang-up job on last year’s Selma, relayed to Essence, during the Essence Festival in New Orleans on Saturday, that she declined to accept the position into Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.

“I think I’ll just say we had different ideas about what the story would be,” DuVernay revealed about the film starring Chadwick Boseman, which currently has a release date of July 6, 2018. “Marvel has a certain way of doing things and I think they’re fantastic and a lot of people love what they do. I loved that they reached out to me.”

DuVernay had previously admitted that she didn’t know much about comic book lure–but was willing to learn for the sake of creating an incredible movie. However, there doesn’t seem to be much drama as to why she didn’t accept the directing gig.

“I loved meeting Chadwick and writers and all the Marvel execs,” DuVernay continued. “In the end, it comes down to story and perspective. And we just didn’t see eye to eye. Better for me to realize that now than cite creative differences later. … I love the character of Black Panther, the nation of Wakanda and all that could be visually. I wish them well and will be first in line to see it.”

As for DuVernay’s next moves, she is currently reunited with her Selma lead star David Oyelowo, for the drama Queen Sugar, which she will executive produce alongside Oprah Winfrey.

Photo: WENN