Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler pens emotional letter to fans + media

Ryan Coogler photographed for Variety by Art Streiber in Los Angeles, CA on January 26, 2018

Posted by | Ray Cornelius 

Check out Black Panther director Ryan Cooglar‘s heartfelt letter to fans around the world for coming out and seeing the film. The 31-year-old director thanked them and media outlets for promoting the Marvel project long before its debut this past weekend.

If you haven’t noticed, Black Panther has totally exceeded box office expectations and topped Star Wars: The Last Jedi for the second-highest four-day domestic opening of all time. It made $242 million at 4,020 North American locations, according to VARIETY.

The film also set a record another record for top Monday domestic gross ever earning $40.2 million and replacing the previous high set by Star Wars: The Force Awakens at $40.1 million.

I see why Cooglar is so emotional. He is literally making movie history!

Check out the full letter below that he posted on social media:

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 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 theaters, who posted on social media about how lit the film would be, bragged about our awesome cast, picked out outfits to wear, and who stood in line in theaters all over the world – all before even 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

Photo Credits: VARIETY and Instagram/TheRealRyanCooglar