Ryan Coogler Rejected Opportunity to Join Academy in 2016 - Here's Why

Ryan Coogler – known for his directing work on hit movies including Black Panther, Creed, and Fruitvale Station – has revealed he turned down the opportunity to join the Academy in 2016 when he was invited.

The 34-year-old director, who is nominated for an Oscar this year as a producer on Judas and the Black Messiah in the Best Picture category, is now explaining why he has no intention of ever joining the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (aka AMPAS).

Click inside to see the reason why Ryan Coogler turned down the invitation back in 2016…

“I don’t buy into this versus that, or ‘this movie wasn’t good enough to make this list,’” Ryan told THR. “I love movies. … For me, that’s good enough. If I’m going to be a part of organizations, they’re going to be labor unions, where we’re figuring out how to take care of each other’s families and health insurance. But I know that these things bring exposure.”

The Oscars will air on April 25. Take a look at the full list of nominees.