There has not been a more exciting moment for the superhero cinema genre than right now as the nation prepares for a game-changing new film. For if the numbers hold, then “
Black Panther” will opens nationwide on February 16 as a true blockbuster.
When folks started tracking the pre-sales of “Black Panther,” they were shocked that what was once forecasted as a $125 million opening has now logged in more than $150 million-plus in advance ticketing.
But we could have seen this momentum coming after the teaser dropped a year ago and racked up an astonishing 89 million views in less than 24 hours. Rarely do we hear the roar of a game changer like “Black Panther.”
Part of its attraction is that “Black Panther” is not just the latest in a series of vintage Marvel superheroes to hit the big screen, but more importantly it is the fact that it showcases a nearly all black cast centered on a multi-layered story with a nearly all black cast centered on a story with roots in Africa.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, “Black Panther,” as a big-budget studio film, has no equal and there is one good reason why so many are anticipating its debut.
The film stars notable actors like Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa/Black Panther, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
“Black Panther” is the story of T’Challa who is the heir apparent to the throne of the fictional land of Wakanda, a tiny country hidden for centuries. Within this country hides the source of a powerful secret: as this nation is in the sole possession of vibranium, an alien element acquired from a fallen meteor. (It is also the same metal used in Captain America’s shield.)
As the world expands around them, the isolation of Wakanda remains difficult once it is revealed they hold so much of vibranium. After T’Challa’s father is cruelly assassinated (not a spoiler), this new, young king will learn to wield a suit made of vibranium to become the Black Panther and a warrior for his people.
We understand that the cinema is a year round industry, but when you look at all of the factors leading up to this fresh debut, it is hard not to be Christmas-like happy when a film like “Black Panther” arrives in the theaters. “Black Panther” is ushering in a new era of filmmaking that is thrilling, inspiring, but, most of all, about to set a new bar vibranium-tough for future films to emulate and follow.