Director Ryan Coogler thanks fans for 'Black Panther' success

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler (R) pictured here with his wife Zinzi Evans. Coogler thanked fans on social media for the success of his film "Black Panther." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI| License Photo

 

Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Director Ryan Coogler thanked fans on Twitter for coming out to the movie theater and making his latest film, the Marvel epic Black Panther, a box office success.

Black Panther, which stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright, grossed $242 million in North America during its opening weekend making it the second-highest four-day weekend haul behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

"I am struggling to find the words to express my gratitude at this moment, but I will try," Coogler said Tuesday in his letter addressed to moviegoers. "Filmmaking is a team sport. And our team was made up [of] 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," he continued. "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."

"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," Coogler continued after more thanks for fans and critics who praised the film and before mentioning a line from the film, "Wakanda Forever."

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