Daily Times

Cameras flashed as stars of the highly-anticipated sequel to Marvel s “Black Panther” walked the red carpet at the “Wakanda Forever” premiere in London. Set in the fictional African land of Wakanda, “Black Panther” became a global hit and was hailed as a milestone for racial diversity in Hollywood when it came out in 2018. Released by Disney-owned Marvel, it was the first superhero film to feature a predominantly Black cast. For cast members of Wakanda Forever, the Marvel blockbuster had a positive impact on perceptions of the continent. “Embracing the diversity that is African culture has resulted in other people embracing their indigenous cultures as well,” said Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong o who plays “Nakia”, one of the lead roles. “We are celebrating our culture, we are celebrating where we are from in a way that is extremely inclusive,” she said. “Black Panther” was 2018 s top-grossing movie in the United States and Canada, and second-highest worldwide, with $1.3 billion in ticket sales. “I would have needed that movie as a child because there are not so many role models,” Florence Kasumba, who stars in the film, said at the premiere on Thursday night. For Ayodeji Aiyesimoju, a lecturer in media studies at Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Nigeria, the film marked a turning point in Black history and disputed some stereotypes about Africa.