Black Panther Proves Numbers Don’t Lie, Officially Hits $1 Billion

Wakanda Forever is not just a catchy phrase or physical expression. Marvel Studios’ Black Panther movie has continued its record-breaking ways by reaching $1 billion in global box office sales.

Black Panther has become just 1 of a select few of Hollywood films to hit a billi.

The Ryan Coogler tentpole is the 33rd movie to gross $1 billion. It’s the 16th Disney film to reach this milestone, and the fifth Marvel film to do so — joining the ranks of “The Avengers,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Iron Man 3,” and “Captain America: Civil War.” “Black Panther” has grossed $521 million domestically, making it the ninth-highest release of all time. In its fourth weekend, “Black Panther” is heading for a $40 million-plus weekend, which would make it the No. 2 superhero release of all time over “The Dark Knight’s” $535 million. (Variety)

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recently confirmed plans for a Black Panther sequel.

“Nothing specific to reveal, other than to say we absolutely will do that. One of the favorite pastimes at Marvel Studios is sitting around on a Part One and talking and dreaming about what we would do in a Part Two. There have been plenty of those conversations as we were putting together the first Black Panther. We have ideas and a pretty solid direction on where we want to head with the second one. (Entertainment Weekly)

In a recent interview, singer-turned-actress Mary J. Blige said she could 100 percent see herself in a superhero movie after watching Black Panther.

“I saw some of the cast from Black Panther, which made me really excited…It was an honor to let them know…to let Chadwick [Boseman] know and Lupita [Nyong’o] know just how amazing that film is and what it means to us.” Now that she’s been recognized by The Academy as a nominee, her acting career is bound to continue. When we asked Blige if she could see herself starring in a movie like Marvel’s Black Panther, Blige exclaimed, “I hope so!” (E! Online)

Recently, Top Dawg Entertainment’s Kendrick Lamar revealed his interest in playing a key role when Black Panther 2 goes into production.

In a new interview with BBC Radio 1 — following his fiery BRITs performance — host Clara Amfo asked Kendrick about the possibility of landing a cameo role in the next Black Panther flick. “Come on, I got to now!” the rapper responded, adding that he’d love to portray a multi-layered antagonist like Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger. “I really enjoy Killmonger’s character, just off the simple fact that he was a villain but he came with some real [talk]. … He was a villain but he was loved and misunderstood. So if I could, I’d play a Killmonger for sure.” (MTV)