Oprah Winfrey
Marvel’s “Black Panther” is being hailed by prominent African-American celebrities.
The scifi-action film, starring Chadwick Boseman as warrior-king T’Challa, is being celebrated by the likes of media mogul Oprah Winfrey, former US first lady Michelle Obama and actress-producer Viola Davis.
“Just saw it with Stedman (Graham). It’s phenomenal! Layers and layers of it. [Wakanda] Forever!,” tweeted Winfrey, who was likewise ecstatic about the empowering “Wonder Woman” film last year.
Obama, meanwhile, elaborated on its importance to black kids in a tweet: “Congrats to the entire #blackpanther team! Because of you, young people will finally see superheroes that look like them on the big screen. I loved this movie, and I know it will inspire people of all backgrounds to dig deep and find the courage to be heroes of their own stories.”
Viola Davis
Moved to tears
Davis, who shared a poster of the film on Twitter, captioned it with a series of hashtags: “#WakandaForever! #IWantToShaveMyHeadAndKickSomeAss #MyPeopleAreBeautiful #Inclusion #RyanCooglerIsGenius #WeHaveBoxOfficePower!”
Director Ryan Coogler thanked fans for their support and enthusiasm.
“Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong,” he said in a statement. “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.”—OLIVER PULUMBARIT