Movies

Black Panther 2 Director Debunks Internet Myths About Wakanda Forever’s Success

BBG News

Ryan Coogler, the writer and director behind 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, has responded to a recurring fan theory regarding the movie, asserting that the actual facts paint a vastly dissimilar picture.

In Disney+’s movie “Wakanda Forever”, we delve into the heartfelt emotions surrounding loss and mourning, following the untimely demise of Chadwick Boseman, who played Black Panther in 2020. The ensemble cast includes Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, and Dominique Thorne. Unlike its predecessor, which boasted a remarkable 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes in 2018, “Wakanda Forever” has a score of 84%.

In my humble opinion as a movie enthusiast, Ryan Coogler’s Marvel sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” has been a film shrouded in debate, often standing apart from the impressive Rotten Tomatoes ratings of the director’s other masterpieces such as “Sinners” (97%), “Creed” (95%), and “Fruitvale Station” (94%). However, contrary to the widespread narrative painted across the internet, the talented director himself refutes the notion that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was a flop.

Ryan Coogler Addresses Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Backlash

During a recent interview on “The New Blerd Order” podcast, Coogger disputed claims about the reception of “Wakanda Forever,” arguing that certain criticisms, particularly those suggesting the film underperformed or didn’t connect with audiences as well as the original “Black Panther” movie, were not accurate.

Typically, the backlash isn’t based on facts. If you look into online discussions, it appears that ‘Wakanda Forever’ is streamed about twice as much as the original ‘Black Panther’. I can confirm this because I have access to the data. However, if you only rely on the backlash, you might think the opposite is true. Often, what’s being discussed online is very different from reality. Therefore, for me, the most important thing is having the right perspective: knowing what to believe and what not to, what’s valuable and what isn’t, and what we should expect.

In November 2022, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was unveiled, coming with a heavy burden of anticipation and obstacles—one of which was a severe injury to Wright—after the extraordinary success of its predecessor in 2018 and the sudden demise of Boseman two years afterwards. Overcoming these challenges, the sequel proved successful at the box office, amassing over $436 million within the U.S. and $850 million overseas, making it the second-highest domestic earner in 2022 and the sixth-highest global grosser of the year.

However, Coogler’s remarks provide insights into an alternate measurement – streaming – that offers a more intriguing and comprehensive perspective. The director has stated that ‘Wakanda Forever’ has been streamed approximately twice as much as the initial ‘Black Panther’ on Disney+. Although Disney+ hasn’t disclosed specific figures, Coogler’s inside knowledge as the movie’s director lends credibility to this statement.

This new information contradicts the prevailing storyline among online fan communities, suggesting that the follow-up was not only well-received but also managed to embody the cultural impact of its original version.

Separating Narrative from Reality

Ryan Coogler’s remarks touch on an ongoing discussion about judgment vs. reality in media critique. In our current online environment, forceful opinions, often negative ones, frequently shape discussions about movies and TV series, despite not representing the typical viewer’s actions.

Fan groups on sites such as Reddit, X (previously Twitter), and YouTube frequently function as sounding boards that intensify specific criticisms and gripes about certain topics. A considerable amount of the criticism directed towards the movie “Wakanda Forever” online centered around its extended length, the perceived forced integration of the character Riri Williams (Thorne), and the lack of T’Challa, with some viewers labeling it a decline from the original. However, as Coogler noted, these criticisms don’t align with the widespread popularity the film continues to enjoy.

It’s not just Black Panther that experiences this gap. Many recent Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) projects, such as The Marvels, Captain America: Brave New World, and Coogler’s Disney+ series Ironheart, have grappled with a similar divide between the buzz among fans and the actual performance data – be it box office earnings or streaming viewership on Disney+.

A Reminder for Creatives and Fans Alike

Navigating the gap between online buzz and genuine audience interaction can be challenging for filmmakers and actors working on big franchises, as Coogler’s remarks suggest. This might imply that it is essential not to overvalue the most vocal voices on the internet.

The message seems to strike a chord not only with creative minds but also with fans who yearn for an immersive experience devoid of the harsh, divisive exchanges that are common. Interestingly, it appears that “Wakanda Forever” has had a more extended impact and broader audience than some might have initially anticipated, as suggested by the data.

Essentially, while stories on the internet might portray a single perspective of truth, Ryan Coogler’s point is straightforward: if you want to uncover the facts, focus on details rather than being swept away by the drama.

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2025-07-09 06:34

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