By Monique
Photo credit: Will Heath/NBC, Illustration: Monique Jones
It’s new column time! Welcome to “This Week in Wakanda,” in which I talk about some bit(s) of news related to Black Panther for as long as I can/for as long as it’s feasible and relevant. With Black Panther being one of my favorite movies ever, I feel like I’ll be able to find something to write about for a good long while. With that said, let’s get into the news!
Chadwick Boseman hosts Saturday Night Live
Chadwick Boseman brought T’Challa to Saturday Night Live in one of the best “Black Jeopardy” skits ever. Everyone’s talking about T’Challa railing on Karen’s potato salad, but what I also want to point out is how the skit subtly–and comically–hints at the cultural differences between African Americans and native Africans. Part of what I’m about to say will be saved for an article for a later date, but I think it’s always important that we recognize that the black experience is something that’s different for every black person.
To get things back on a lighter note, here’s the skit!
T’Challa’s not the only character Boseman brought to Saturday Night Live; during Boseman’s opening monologue, he also invoked James Brown, which was highly unexpected. There was even some Color-Coded talk with Kenan Thompson as Panthro discussing how he was the “first” black superhero.
Black Panther ends Saudi Arabia’s movie ban
Saudi Arabia had a cinema ban for 35 years, but come April 18, Black Panther will be the first film to screen in the kingdom. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Black Panther will have a gala premiere in Riyadh at the first AMC-branded movie theater. The theater itself holds 620 people and was a symphony hall in the King Abdullah Financial District. This theater is heralding the coming of many more cinemas to come to the country in the next 10 years. After Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War will be released April 26.
Black Panther becomes No. 3 U.S. film of all time
Back here in the States, Black Panther has passed juggernaut film Titanic and has made U.S. box office history! Also according to The Hollywood Reporter, Black Panther surpassed the 1997 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet to become the third top-grossing title ever at the North American box office. Internationally, the film has made $1.29 billion so far and is the No. 10 top-grossing film of all time.
Want to read some other Black Panther news? Check out more at my Black Panther tag.
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Julian 