‘Black Panther’ shattered box office records with over $400M global debut

February 20, 2018February 20, 2018 Gova-Media Black Panther, Marvel, Ryan Coogler, Wakanda

As we all know, the Ryan Coogler-directed Marvel’s Black Panther has been one of the most highly anticipated movies to come out this year, and has already broken barriers in the film industry.

Black Panther opened in virtually every major market except for Russia (Feb. 22), Japan (March 1) and China (March 9). The movie earned a mighty $169 million for an estimated global bow of $404 million through Monday, including a hefty $35 million from Imax locations around the world, the top showing ever for Marvel title.

Here are eight box office records that Black Panther has already broken:

Biggest February opening weekend
Biggest non-sequel opening weekend
Biggest solo superhero launch of all time
Biggest long holiday opening weekend
Biggest Fri-Sun opening weekend for a long holiday debut
Biggest-grossing movie (in North America) directed by a black filmmaker
Biggest opening weekend ever for any movie not directed by a caucasian
Biggest pre-summer opening weekend

The story of Black Panther

“After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.”

The film, which was shot in Atlanta, US and Busan, South Korea, features established actors such as Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong’o and rising stars Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright and Oscar nominee Daniel Kaluuya.

As the first black superhero film from Marvel, “Black Panther” is a major milestone and an uncontested win for black & African representation. Its also proof that inclusion and representation matter!

For Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Nakia, spy of Wakanda and ex-companion of her new king T’Challa, aka “Black Panther”: “it’s definitely good for black people all over the world”

“I hope this will create a new kind of curiosity among people with regard to Africa, because this continent is full of diversities and even the cast is diversified. And even if we actors, we have the black skin, we come from different countries around the world” (Lupita Nyong’o).

Sources: Forbes & Hollywoodreporter