By Bahle Gama
Just like the rest of the world, Emaswati were impatiently waiting for the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Marvel Studio’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever released on November 11 has seen an increase in ticket sales all over the world, ending the Box Office drought, and making late King T’Challa’s death played by the late Chadwick Boseman memorable.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Black Panther. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the sequel to Black Panther (2018) and the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
It took in a superb E3.1 billion ($180 million) at North American cinemas over the weekend it was released, ending one of the worst box office droughts on record and reaffirming Disney-owned Marvel Studios as Hollywood’s reigning blockbuster factory. Overseas (Eswatini included), the superhero sequel collected an additional E2.2 billion ($150 million).
According to an employee from the Movie Zone Cinema at Ezulwini, the weekend the movie was released saw a rise in ticket sales for this movie alone which was seen to be in demand and was deemed to be a change that had not happened in a while. In response to the number of tickets sold, the employee said they could not divulge the information, “but the movie is currently in demand, it shows the fanbase in the country.”
“Some called over the phone to make reservations for the movie and some were enquiring about the different times the movie shows,” said the employee.
The movie is expected to show for over a month in Eswatini before it is removed, “However, as is the case with other movies, we tend to extend the duration for showing because you find that it is in demand,” said the employee.
Wakanda Forever is about Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fighting to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom.
Spoiler/prediction: the movie turned out to be an emotional roller coaster cleverly dealing with several serious issues faced by the nation of Wakanda after they lose their respected leader. But before the final credits roll up, this movie also follows the MCU’s habit of teasing a major future element in their mid-credit’s scene. In this case, it was King T’Challa’s son, Toussaint.
Seeing that MCUd has shown us the late King T’Challa’s son, one would assume that just like many movies, the intention to continue the sequel is visible. It is easy to assume and say that the remaining prince will grow up to be the next black panther and inherit from his aunt, Princess Shuri (who is currently the Black Panther), and allow for the legacy to grow.
Knowing MCU, there will be a reason for the young lad to return to Wakanda, Nakia cannot hide him and his identity in Haiti forever.
Besides, she told Shuri that she was only secretly raising her son in Haiti so he can be secluded from the royal family politics and ensured that when the time comes, he would take his rightful place. After all, Wakanda is a Vibranium-rich nation and will continue to have threats and need protection.
Wakanda Forever increases ticket sales at Movie Zone
