Black Panther's inspiring $192M weekend in more ways than one
Afro-centric superhero film is leading to movements in fashion, voting and random kindness
Black Panther has not only taken the box office by storm during itsopening weekend, but is inspiringmovements in fashion, voting and even randomacts of kindness.
The Marvel film, directed by Fruitvale Station and Creed filmmaker Ryan Coogler, hit $192 million USin ticket sales in North America over the weekend.
The number, which is a preliminary estimate according to the website Box Office Mojo, makes Black Pantherthe fifth-biggest opening weekend ever (not accounting for inflation)behindStar Wars: The Force Awakens,Star Wars: The Last Jedi,Jurassic Worldand The Avengers.
Black Panther,which had a budget of $200 million US, also beat 2016's Deadpool to becomethe highest-grossing February opening weekend and has a 97 per cent fresh rating on the audience-drivenRotten Tomatoes site.
It stars Chadwick Boseman as the lead character T'Challa, alongside a predominantly black cast includingAngela Bassett, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya and Lupita Nyong'o.
The story revolves around the fictional, resource-rich East African nation of Wakanda.
Throughout the weekend, countlessmovie-goers around the world dressed in traditional and African-inspired clothing to see the film and celebrate itscultural reflections. And it's far from superhero"cosplay," says Kimberly McNair, an expert in clothing and black expressive culture.
"It's a matter of fact statement about diasporic blackness," said the University of Southern California scholar. "You get to articulate your blackness in relation to your nationality and clothing styles specific to your location as well as African cultures. That matters."
Y'all!! We are in line for the movie with the real life DORA MILAJAE!! These beautiful, bald, fierce Black Ladies! #BlackPanther #WakandaForever #BlackGirlsAreMagic pic.twitter.com/NZ0ErDga1U
—@thepbg
This might be the best #BlackPanther photo ever pic.twitter.com/dEsKYy6ppu
—@yellowmello
And it wasn't the only way people were connecting.
Academy Award-winning actress Brie Larson, who's set to play the title rolein Captain Marvel, sparked a pay-it-forward campaign online this week with a single tweet on Thursday.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and/or the ones you love is purchase some #BlackPanther tix. I know its expensive to go to the theater, but its worth it for this one. You will exit forever impacted.
—@brielarson
Since then, Larson has beenre-tweeting posts from around the world which have taken over her page, connecting people offering to pay for Black Panther tickets with those who might not be able to afford them.
KAZAKHSTAN! Sam is an angel ready to help you see #BlackPanther if you cant afford it at the moment. https://t.co/oFsENwWzlw
—@brielarson
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - comment below if you are dying to see #BlackPanther but cant afford right now. https://t.co/OQ9ngJ55tl
—@brielarson
TORONTO! If you cant afford to see #BlackPanther right now, Nicolle wants to help! https://t.co/9YJnnJdyxa
—@brielarson
We are about to enter! THANK YOU SO MUCH @brielarson for the RT and specially MUCHAS GRACIAS to @ericbsion for being so kind and buy the tickets!! I appreciate it so much! pic.twitter.com/57pLJDkAzL
—@CecilioLanz
And because the film is rife with political allusions to immigration, stereotypes and isolationism not long after U.S. President Donald Trump made derogatory comments about African nations,it's also providing an opportunity for some to capitalize on the inspiration for change.
An American activist group called the Electoral Justice Project is using screeningsto encourage registration among black voters in the U.S. by promoting the hashtag WakandaTheVote and helping setup booths outside theatres.
With files from the Associated Press