Joe Robert Cole (FX’s “American Crime Story”) is nearing a deal to write “Black Panther” for Marvel, TheWrap has exclusively learned.

Marvel had no comment.

Marvel’s Kevin Feige is set to produce “Black Panther,” which will star Chadwick Boseman (“Get On Up”) as T’Challa, a.k.a. the titular superhero from the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Andy Serkis is also expected to reprise his role as Ulysses Klaw from “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” though his involvement remains unconfirmed.

While a recent report stated that F. Gary Gray is a contender to direct “Black Panther,” the truth is that there are no serious contenders at this stage — at least not anymore since Gray will be directing “Fast and Furious 8” — and the search is considered wide-open.

Also Read: 'Straight Outta Compton's' F. Gary Gray Frontrunner to Direct 'Fast and Furious 8' (Exclusive)

“Selma” filmmaker Ava DuVernay was offered “Black Panther,” but turned it down because she said “it really wasn’t going to be an Ava DuVernay film.” Marvel is known for maintaining creative control on its films, as each must fit within its cinematic universe.

After the DuVernay kerfuffle, Marvel decided not to go out to any directors until they have a finished screenplay.

Meanwhile, Gray’s representatives just began negotiating for him to direct “Fast and Furious 8,” which is expected to take him out of contention for “Black Panther.”

Also Read: Marvel Courting Ava DuVernay to Direct Diverse Superhero Movie (Exclusive)

Disney has slated “Black Panther” for release on July 6, 2018, while Universal will release “Fast and Furious 8” on April 14, 2017. Though technically possible, it’s extremely unlikely Gray would be able to direct both tentpoles, as each require a tremendous amount of focus from preproduction to postproduction.

Cole has been part of Marvel’s in-house writer’s program, which counts “Guardians of the Galaxy” scribe Nicole Perlman among its alumni.

He has been rumored to have taken a crack at an “Inhumans” script for Marvel, but either way, he is not currently involved with that project and if a draft was indeed written, it is not expected to be used by the studio.

Also Read: Ava DuVernay: I'm Not Directing 'Black Panther'

Given that “Black Panther” is Marvel’s first major superhero of color, the studio is intent on making diverse hires to write and direct the comic book movie.

Cole is an African-American filmmaker who previously wrote and directed the 2011 indie thriller “Amber Lake” and worked on Summit/Lionsgate’s alien invasion project “Revoc.”

Cole is represented by CAA and Circle of Confusion.

The Evolution of Marvel Movies: From Dolph Lundgren's 'Punisher' to 'Ant-Man' (Photos)

"Howard the Duck" (1986) - In this Marvel-meets-George-Lucas sci-fi comedy, a human-size duck is propelled to Earth from outer space as the result of a scientific mishap. Emphasis was placed on special effects and portraying Howard as a less cynical duck than that in the comic.
Universal Pictures
"The Punisher" (1989) - Dolph Lundgren donned a signature skull shirt for a violent adaptation of the story of vigilante Frank Castle, a.k.a The Punisher
New World Pictures
"Fantastic Four" (1994) - Legend has it that Roger Corman produced this low-budget adaptation so that a producer could retain the film rights to the comic. Though never released theatrically, it is available on YouTube.
New Horizons
"Generation X" (1996) - Hoping to capitalize on the popular “X-Men” animated series of the '90s, “Generation X” was a TV movie that aired on Fox about a school for the gifted run by Emma Frost and Banshee.
Fox Network
"Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." (1998) - David Hasselhoff donned Nick Fury’s eye-patch long before Sam Jackson in this made-for-TV-movie that premiered on Fox.
Fury Productions/Fox Network
"Blade" (1998) - Wesley Snipes headlined as a half-man, half-vampire fighting against an evil bloodsucker intent on taking over the world
Marvel/New Line Cinema
"X-Men" (2000) - Hugh Jackman achieved international fame as Wolverine in the story of the famed Marvel superhero team
Marvel/Twentieth Century Fox
"Hulk" (2003) - Ang Lee's much maligned story of Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) as he struggles to control the raging monster within himself
Marvel/Universal Pictures
"Daredevil" (2003) - Ben Affleck earned plenty of scorn for his portrayal of the blind defender of Hell's Kitchen. Nevertheless, the film earned almost $180 million globally
Marvel/New Regency
"The Punisher" (2004) - Thomas Jane took over as Frank Castle in this ultra-violent vigilante tale that also starred John Travolta
Marvel/Lionsgate
"Elektra" (2005) - Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra Natchios, an international assassin, in the spin-off from the more successful 2003 film, Daredevil.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Man-Thing" (2005) - Marvel tried its hand at horror with the “Man-Thing,” loosely based on Stan Lee's swamp monster comic from '71. It features a swamp-monster whose touch burns people who feel fear.
Lions Gate/Artisan Entertainment
"Ghost Rider" (2007) - Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes starred in the story of a motorcycle daredevil (Cage) who sold his soul to the devil.
Marvel/Columbia Pictures
"Iron Man" (2008) - The movie that launched the MCU into the stratosphere starred Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark, a weapons manufacturerer who decides to defend the innocent who are caught in the path of the very weapons he once designed
Marvel/Paramount
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) - Edward Norton took over the role of Dr. Bruce Banner in the setup to the eventual "Avengers" crossover
Marvel/Universal
"Captain America" (2011) - Chris Evans took up the red, white, and blue shield of the First Avenger as he fought against Hydra head Red Skull (Hugo Weaving)
Marvel/Paramount
"Thor" (2011) - Chris Hemsworth played the hammer-wielding god of thunder as he battles his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for control of the mythical realm of Asgard
Marvel/Paramount
"The Avengers" (2012) - The superhero team assembled for this blockbuster as they fought to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Mark Ruffalo took over the role of Bruce Banner from Edward Norton
Marvel/Paramount
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) - Chris Pratt proved himself to be an action superstar as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill in this intergalactic sensation that grossed almost $775 million
Marvel Studios
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) - The Avengers assemble once again as they try to stop Ultron, an A.I. built by Tony Stark that wants to destroy humanity
Marvel Studios
"Ant-Man" (2015) Paul Rudd plays a thief just out of prison who stumbles on a suit that shrinks him to microscopic size -- all the better to prevent Corey Stoll's evil executive from using the same technology for warfare.
Marvel Studios