Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the newest Marvel film and it is a direct sequel to the 2018 Black Panther that was lead by Chadwick Boseman. The film’s events are set sometime after Endgame. Ryan Coogler has returned to write and direct the sequel. The film stars Letitia Wright, Angela Basset, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta, Danai Gurira, etc. Letitia Wright’s Shuri is the real protagonist of the film as Chadwick Boseman has tragically passed away. The film was pretty much marketed as something that addresses grief everyone was experiencing after Boseman’s passing. The film just like any other Marvel had great first reactions but more than anything the one that caught my attention was that it was a mature film unlike other MCU ventures.
The last few Marvel films have deeply disappointed me to the point where I questioned my choice of films. However, I deeply respect and believe in Ryan Coogler as a filmmaker. So, I wanted to see what he had to bring in this array of disappointments that Marvel is churning out. The trailers for the film looked absolutely stunning and heart pounding. I conjured a lot of hope as I stepped into the theatres to watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, hoping that the film is good, as I knew this would be my breaking point if I saw another mediocre venture from Marvel and it seems like Ryan Coogler has just managed to make this film work and this is not only my opinion rather the stats speak this too.
Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever Opening Night Is Bigger Than Black Panther!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has more or loss garnered a positive response from the audiences and the critics. The film is unlike any other Marvel film that we’ve seen in Phase 4. It has mature themes and real characters even though the story in unbalanced, it is a good film overall and this sentiment is amongst all fans it seems. The sequel’s opening night’s figures are out there is something to cherish about it while there is something to ponder about it too. Let’s see what is.
The sequel has grossed $28 Million on its opening night that is a huge feat for a single hero film. It also beats out its predecessor- Black Panther which had grossed $25 Million on its opening night. While all this is great there is another stat that we’re not paying attention to. While $28 Million is a huge figure, it happens to be less than all the Marvel films that have released this year. Earlier this year, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opened with $36 Million while Thor: Love and Thunder opened with $29 Million. Granted Wakanda Forever’s critical performance is better than both of them but in this business its all about money.
Highest Opening Night Numbers (MCU):
- Avengers: Endgame – $60 million
- Spider-Man: No Way Home – $50 million
- Avengers: Infinity War – $39 million
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – $36 million
- Thor: Love and Thunder – $29 million
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – $28 million
This makes Wakanda Forever the third biggest opening of 2022, right after its MCU brothers. This decline in numbers despite good reviews does talk to us the fatigue that the audience is experiencing with MCU right now. There is general notion of dissatisfaction and mediocracy regarding Marvel, where people aren’t excited for their every new venture. People nowadays frown at every new Marvel release because they’re tired of the frequency with which they’re releasing. I hope Marvel takes the mature route and makes their films better.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is playing in theatres near you.
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