Black Panther Director Ryan Coogler Mistaken For Bank Robber

TMZ first reported the incident — which took place in January — from an Atlanta Police Department report, the details of which were corroborated by Variety.

Coogler stopped by the bank to make a withdrawal, having been shown on video tape wearing a beanie hat, sunglasses, and COVID face mask. He handed the bank teller a note that reportedly read, “I would like to withdraw $12,000 cash from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I’d like to be discreet.”

According to the report, the teller then mistook the situation as an attempted robbery when the withdrawal amount triggered a bank alarm system.

Afterward, alerted authorities at the scene then apparently detained two people who were waiting for Coogler in an SUV outside of the bank, and also handcuffed the director.

“This situation should never have happened,” Coogler told Variety in a statement. “However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on.”