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As Black Panther continues to slay the box office and garner praise and acclaim, director Ryan Coogler wrote a touching letter to thank the masses for supporting the film.
The filmmaker, who co-wrote the Marvel Studios movie with Joe Robert Cole, penned a humbling letter that was posted on Marvel Entertainment’s official Twitter account, saying “Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong.”
Since opening last week, the movie has made more than $240 million, scoring it the fifth-best domestic opening of all time. It might be raking in the dough, but Coogler finds just as much gratitude for what the film is doing in terms of inclusion and heritage, moving him and his wife to tears.
In his letter, he thanked everyone from kids to hardcore fans to the press, saying, “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.”
Here is the letter in its entirety:
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 [of] amazing people from all over the world who believe 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 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 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
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