The emotional trailer for Black Panther II was released at San Diego Comic Con on Saturday night and it did not disappoint. I have been looking forward to this movie since the first Black Panther movie was released. There will always be a special place in my heart for this franchise as it was the representation people that looked like me needed. Black Panther was my first cosplay and it created so many opportunities in the cosplay community. This is my tweet about the cosplay.
My first cosplay was Black Panther. That trailer brought back a lot of memories for me. I may have to pull a cosplay out for my next con. #BlackPantherWakandaForever pic.twitter.com/PhCDxC5eYU
— Chris Carthern (@ChrisCarthern) July 25, 2022
I was invited to the Black Panther European Premiere where I met Ryan Coogler and where we found out a picture I took of my cosplay friends was shared by Lupita Nyong’o in their group chat and on her instagram.
We met Ryan Coogler the day after the premiere and had a great conversation with him about the movie, the characters, cosplay and what it meant to our community.
I will never get over the excitement and the atmosphere of that premiere. It was special and will always be a special memory for me. Here is a photo from the Black Panther European premiere.
I already know I am going to be extra emotional while watching this movie with the loss of Chadwick Boseman. Ryan Coogler spoke about Chadwick before the trailer was released and I found myself becoming emotional.
I received a message of excitement from my Black Panther group chat with cosplay friends when the trailer was released. The message read GO WATCHHHH. I went straight to Youtube as I sat on my plane just leaving Virginia. They set the tone of the movie and it was serious and emotional and I teared up watching it. It was incredible and I already think it will be the best Marvel movie of the year. I no doubt plan on going to the theater in cosplay to see it.
Hearing Danai Gurira talk about the experience of making a movie without Chadwick Boseman just made me tear up even more.
I know we are in for a treat and this will no doubt be another moment for the culture. Long live the King. Yibambe!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11, 2022.