The staggering success of Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther has prompted the director to pen a heartfelt letter of gratitude to those going wild for Wakanda.
The 31-year-old maestro said he was not only humbled by the reception of his movie, which has been smashing box office records almost daily, he was moved to tears by it.
“Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film, that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you,” he wrote in a letter shared by Marvel.
Black Panther, a Marvel Entertainment release and the first global superhero blockbuster with an African American director and a mostly black cast, earned an estimated $235 million (Dh863 million) in US and Canadian ticket sales for the four-day holiday weekend. It has defied expectations and so far grossed $427 million (Dh1.5 billion) in global ticket sales — with an impressive turnout among theatregoers in Africa. Critical reception has also been exceptional, with the film spurring an abundance of discussions.
“Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong,” wrote Coogler, who previously helmed Fruitvale Station and Creed.
The film, starring Chadwick Boseman as the titular hero, posted the largest February opening weekend, winter-season opening weekend, Presidents Day weekend opening, Monday opening and Thursday preview gross in February, according to Box Office Mojo.
Below is Coogler’s letter in full:
“I am struggling to find the words to express my gratitude at this moment, but I will try.
Filmmaking is a team sport. And our team was made up [of] amazing people from all over the world who believed in this story. Deep down we all hoped that people would come to see a film about a fictional country on the continent of Africa, made up of a cast of people of African descent.
Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong. It still humbles me to think that people care enough to spend their money and time watching our film — but to see people of all backgrounds wearing clothing that celebrates their heritage, taking pictures next to our posters with their friends and family, and sometimes dancing in the lobbies of theaters — often moved me and my wife to tears.
For the people who bought out theatres, who posted on social about how lit the film would be, bragged about our awesome cast, picked out outfits to wear, and who stood in line in theatres all over the world — all before seeing the film...
To the press who wrote about the film for folks who hadn’t yet seen it, and encouraged audiences to come out...
And to the young ones, who came out with their parents, with their mentors, and with their friends...
Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film, that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Coogler
P.S. Wakanda Forever”
