Ryan Coogler Posts Grateful Letter to Black Panther Fans, Saying They Moved Him to Tears

#WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/CmJySoHFjB

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) February 21, 2018

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has a whole lot to be happy about these days. His latest film has exceeded its already high expectation and broken numerous box office records, inspired joyful and thoughtful fan reaction, and even inspired get-out-the-vote efforts. Despite the whirlwind he must be experiencing, Coogler still took the time to write a letter thanking the fans who came out to see Black Panther.

It ends with “P.S. Wakanda Forever.”

“Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong,” Coogler wrote. “It still humbles me to think that people care enough to spend their money and time watching our film. But 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.”

“For the people who bought out theaters, who posted on social about how lit the film would be, bragged about our awesome cast, picked out outfits to wear, and who stood in line in theaters all over the world – all before even seeing the film…”

“To the press who wrote about the film for folks who hadn’t seen it yet, and encouraged audiences to come out…”

“And to the young ones, who came out with their parents, with their mentors, and with their friends…”

“Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film, that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you.”

Coogler joins a happy tradition of Marvel directors thanking the fandom, from Joss Whedon’s letter to Avengers viewers to James Gunn’s thank-you letter to Guardians of the Galaxy fans. However, Black Panther is undeniably important on a deeper level, as an important milestone for representation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I love that Coogler took the time to thank those fans who worked, through fundraisers such as the #BlackPanther Challenge, to make the most of that representation and ensure that kids of all incomes could see themselves as superheroes, queens, and inventors.

(via SYFY Wire; image: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)

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