MADELINE LITTLE
Special to the Leader
As you all know, “Black Panther” is being released this upcoming Friday. It’s being talked about all over America. It is the first superhero movie Marvel has created with all black characters, cast and directors.
A lot of Fredonia students are excited for the “Black Panther” movie.
“The movie is about a prince retiring to take his place in the Kingdom of Wakanda,” said fifth year public relations major Anissa Scharborough, a member of the Black Student Union.
“The main character is King T’Challa. He is the ‘Black Panther’ of Wakanda. Wakanda is this technologically advanced city in Africa,” explained senior video production major Joseph Gugino.
“He faces powerful enemies and has to defend his people, in the legendary black panther suit,” said Jelissa Samuel. The suit is made out of the most powerful metal in the world, mined in Wakanda.
President of the comic club, Harold Sheridan, believes “Black Panther” is a step in the direction of more diverse films in Hollywood.
“I think ‘Black Panther’ will be just as big as ‘Wonder Woman,’” said Sheridan. “We’re moving into a era where movies aren’t created by white director[s] with white casts.”
Out of this movie, Samuel hopes to gain a deeper appreciation for how far we have come in entertainment. Scharborough had similar thoughts.
“It will create a sense of pride. All-black casts are rare in the movie industry. I am excited for my community and [me] to experience this amazing representation of ourselves,” said Scharborough.
Students all around campus have been raving about the sneak peaks Marvel has put out so far.
“The previews are pretty awesome. I’m familiar with all the characters and the design is really cool. The suit that King T’Challa wears looks as if it was inspired by the artist Brian Stelfreeze,” said Sheridan.
Scharborough anticipates that “Black Panther” will be a hit in the movie industry.
“The previews are amazing and I’m full of anticipation for the full movie and the soundtrack. I am thrilled!” she said. “Considering that it is Black History Month, this is all about celebrating being black, whether it is those who paved the way for us or those helping to create a better tomorrow for us.”
Samuel has reason to make the movie a big deal, she believes that “Black Panther” is honoring blackness.
“We decided to make this event huge because this Black History Month, we’re celebrating blackness in all levels — including entertainment and media and this movie, which is anticipated to be really big at the box office is a movie that is celebrating blackness in a bold way,” she said.
