Joe Robert Cole

Last updated

Joe Robert Cole
Born (1980-01-01) January 1, 1980 (age 44)
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater University of California, Berkeley
Occupations
Years active2011–present
Known for The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Black Panther

Joe Robert Cole (born January 1, 1980) is an American filmmaker and actor. He is best known for his Emmy Award-nominated and Writers Guild of America Award-winning work on the first season of the true crime anthology television series American Crime Story , titled The People v. O. J. Simpson , and for co-writing the film Black Panther and its sequel, Wakanda Forever .

Contents

Early life

Cole, an only child, moved around a lot growing up, which he felt "prepared" him to be a writer, a desire he only discovered during college. He soon applied to the University of California, Berkeley. [1]

Career

During his tenure at the university, Cole entered the film business, working as a writer on the 2006 film ATL , although not receiving a credit. [1] In 2011, he released his first feature film as a director and writer, Amber Lake.

Marvel Studios' program

After writing a " Chinatown -style cop script", Cole was invited to a meeting with Marvel Studios, where he was told that they had plans of doing a movie about the character War Machine. He pitched a story and was chosen to write the film, but, according to him, "they decided, based on what Iron Man 3 was going to be, they weren't going to do War Machine anymore." Marvel subsequently invited him to join its writers program. [2]

In regards to the program, Cole said:

The way it works—and I'm only speaking for myself here—is they give you an office and a character. You read all the comics with that character, then you come up with a story you see for that character. You present it, get notes and if everything moves along, you're greenlit to write the script. [2]

In 2014, Cole wrote a script for a projected movie about the Inhumans. [3]

Television

In 2016, the television series American Crime Story was released. Cole served as co-producer of the first season, The People v. O. J. Simpson , and wrote two episodes, "The Race Card" (for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special) and "A Jury in Jail".

Black Panther

While working on The People v. O. J. Simpson, Cole was approached by Marvel Studios' producer Nate Moore, wanting to know if he was willing to write a film about Black Panther. He immediately accepted. Cole was part of a competition, but was ultimately chosen to write the screenplay with director Ryan Coogler. [2]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorWriterNotes
2011Amber LakeYesYesAlso editor
2018 Black Panther NoYes
2020 All Day and a Night YesYes
2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever NoYes
Untitled Snoop Dogg biopic filmNoYesIn-development

Acting role

Television

YearTitleDirectorProducerWriterNotes
2016 The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story NoYesYesWrote episodes "The Race Card" and "A Jury in Jail"
2023 Class of '09 YesExecutiveNo3 episodes

Awards and nominations

YearTitleAward/Nomination
2016 The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story Black Reel Award for Outstanding Screenplay in a TV Movie or Limited Series ("The Race Card")
Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Long Form – Adapted
Nominated–Black Reel Award for Outstanding Screenplay in a TV Movie or Limited Series ("A Jury in Jail")
Nominated–Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series ("The Race Card")
Nominated–Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special ("The Race Card")

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References

  1. 1 2 E. Patterson, Brandon (February 6, 2016). "Oscars So White? Black Panther to the Rescue". Mother Jones . Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Charisma, James (February 8, 2018). "'Black Panther' Screenwriter Reveals What Makes T'Challa One of the Most 'Unique' Characters in the MCU". Complex . Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  3. Goldberg, Matt (August 12, 2014). "Exclusive: Marvel Moving Forward on 'The Inhumans' Movie; Screenplay by Joe Robert Cole". Collider . Retrieved February 21, 2018.