Wakanda movie did you see last weekend? I sure it was Marvel’s new superhero-flick, Black Panther. This movie has been so hyped up beyond belief, and with good reason. Reviews have said With a current 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, it has become a weekend sensation and will probably be one of the highest grossing movies inside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to studio estimates, Black Panther made $192 million in ticket sales this weekend in North America alone. The film is expected to make about $361 worldwide over the four-day opening weekend.
You might wonder why is Black Panther so successful so fast? Is it because it follows the trend of modern superhero movies? Is it because it has such a strong black cast? Is it the fact that black film makers poured their heart and souls into this? Well, it’s all of the above.
Marvel has created other famous blockbusters like The Avengers, which have also been incredibly successful (raking in $207.4 million in the opening weekend), but Black Panther’s success mainly comes from the representation in a genre of movies that hasn’t been seen like this before.
“I wouldn’t underestimate Black Panther in any way,” Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore, told USA TODAY before the movie opened. “The more important currency to this movie — as was with Wonder Woman — is not the dollars and cents, although that will be substantial, but the impact on the zeitgeist.”
People who can resonate with the characters on screen on much more likely to enjoy the movie they are watching. Like with Wonder Woman, when it created a space for women of all ages to feel included. And similar to Jordan Peele’s Get Out where it proves that black filmmakers are capable of making films that produce blockbuster money.
The film stars Chadwick Boseman as T’chall/Black Panther, as well as other big names such as Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Michael B. Jordan, and Letitia Wright. Some of the incredible creators behind it are director Ryan Coogler (who is also known for directing Creed and Sundance Film Fruitvale Station), costume designer Ruth E. Carter, production designer Hannah Beachler, and cinematographer Rachel Morrison. Hopefully, this film will continue to bring success to the minds behind it because of such high appraisal and the quality the work they produced.
In the future, Black Panther should be opening doors for movies starring, directing, and being create by people of color. It proves that if they’re given half a chance, they can make quality content that will attract people worldwide.
Even though I have not seen Black Panther yet( I will be seeing it the day after I write this okay? Okay), I am extremely excited for it! I appreciate that more and more studios are listening to their audiences and producing movies that appeal to a larger audience. The representation of African culture in it is outstanding, without seeming cheesy. People who saw it opening weekend even dressed in their best ‘Wakanda’ style clothing (Wakanda is the fictional country Black Panther is from). Reviews have said it is “uniquely satisfying popcorn entertainment, a triumphant trifecta of subject matter, talent and timing”(John Wenzel, Denver Post), and “Black Panther could have been just another Marvel romp-a fun but ultimately disposable entry in the studio’s catalogue. But Ryan Coogler and company had the power, and perhaps the responsibility, to do much more. And they did” ( Jamelle Bouie, Slate) I am thrilled for the doors it will be opening and for the success it brings to these talented actors and filmmakers in the future.