Ava DuVernay Supports Bree Newsome in Tweet Alluding to ‘Black Panther’ Rumors

Director Ava DuVernay alluded to rumors of her directing Marvel’s upcoming Black Panther movie as she expressed her support for Bree Newsome, the black female activist who temporarily took down the Confederate flag in front of the South Carolina statehouse when she climbed the flagpole and physically removed the banner.

“Yes. I hope I get the call to direct the motion picture about a black superhero I admire. Her name is Bree Newsome,” DuVernay posted on Twitter Saturday as news of Newsome’s act was trending as was the hashtag #FreeBree. An Indiegogo campaign has been set up to raise bail for her, pulling in more than $8,000 of its $20,000 goal from more than 250 donors in its first two hours.

Yes. I hope I get the call to direct the motion picture about a black superhero I admire. Her name is @BreeNewsome. pic.twitter.com/BgMeaNsbYk

— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) June 27, 2015

DuVernay has been frequently mentioned as a director Marvel is considering to helm its upcoming movie about Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman. In this week’s Hollywood Reporter cover story, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed that he’d met with DuVernay.
“We’ve met with her for sure. We’ve met with a number of people for a number of movies. She has been one of them,” he said.

Boseman was cast in a standalone Black Panther movie last fall, making the Get On Up star Marvel Studios’ first solo lead of color. His character is set to debut in 2016’s third Captain America film, subtitled Civil War. The Black Panther film is set to be released on July 6, 2018.

Newsome was arrested after she removed the flag early Saturday morning amidst calls from police officers to get down. The flag was raised roughly less than an hour later. A man, James Ian Tyson, who climbed over a fence to get to the flag was also busted. Both he and Newsome were charged with defacing monuments on state Capitol grounds. The act is a misdemeanor that is punishable by a $5,000 fine or a prison term of up to three years or both.

Newsome released the following email statement to the media: “We removed the flag today because we can’t wait any longer. We can’t continue like this another day. It’s time for a new chapter where we are sincere about dismantling white supremacy and building toward true racial justice and equality.”

There have been calls to remove the flag following last week’s deadly Charleston shooting, which has been characterized as a racist attack.

DuVernay wasn’t the only Hollywood figure expressing support for Newsome. Michael Moore tweeted that he would “pay her bail money or any legal fees she has.”

Friends of @BreeNewsome – I will pay her bail money or any legal fees she has. Please let her know this. #Charleston #TakeDownTheFlag

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) June 27, 2015

Watch video of Newsome removing the flag and being arrested along with Tyson below.

Read on to see what others in Hollywood are saying about Newsome on social media.

@BreeNewsome is a hero. I support her. Having that flag fly over the funerals in SC was a national disgrace. #FreeBree

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) June 27, 2015

After @BreeNewsome bravely took that flag down… South Carolina had 2 Black workers put it back up. This is a national disgrace. #FreeBree

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) June 27, 2015

Vid’s so beautiful I cried like a baby.Brave, loving heart trying to move us2 right. #FreeBree BRAVA @BreeNewsome https://t.co/VTGzL3WKJd

— Bellamy Young (@BellamyYoung) June 27, 2015

We live in astonishing times. I support @BreeNewsome in her courageous act of civil disobedience. https://t.co/0eWxiCafkI

— Jason Robert Brown (@MrJasonRBrown) June 27, 2015

If I lived in S. Carolina I’d be up that flag pole, tear down that flag then get my first mug shot today.

— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 27, 2015