However, many films performed relatively well despite the hesitation, such as Spider-Man: No Way Home, which was the first film to earn $1 billion in box office revenues since 2019. Fandango recently surveyed more than 6,000 moviegoers to find out what they were looking forward to most heading into 2022 within several different categories. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever topped the list as the most anticipated film of 2022, with Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse (Part One) following close behind.
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The release of Black Panther in 2018 was transformational, supplanting the iconic hero firmly within the hearts of audiences across generations. The film performed exceptionally well in theaters and earned a Best Picture nomination at the 2019 Academy Awards. While it failed to take home the biggest prize of the night, the film still accomplished victories in the following other categories: Original Score, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design. The excitement for the hero and the story of T’Challa was robust until the tragic passing of the man behind the mask, Chadwick Boseman, in August 2020. While the death of Boseman continues to have a tremendous emotional impact, the confirmation of a sequel by Marvel warmed the hearts of those looking forward to more.
Information behind the sequel’s story is relatively unknown, but audiences have been given some insight into the overarching concept that the film will center around. Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige, indicated that the sequel would focus more on Wakanda, exploring the mythology and history of the unparalleled land. Nate Moore, Marvel Studio VP of Development, also confirmed that Chadwick Boseman would not digitally appear in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but the late actor’s brother disclosed that Boseman would want to see the role recast. Boseman understood what the iconic figure represented to the younger generation and knew that the part was more significant than one individual. The hero’s emergence carries the most weight, but the return of Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) has been a desire that audiences have thrown into the cinematic universe as well. The film looks to arrive in theaters in November 2022, but injuries suffered on set by Letitia Wright halted production to make room for her recovery.
While Black Panther: Wakanda Forever holds the top spot, other prominent films also garner audience excitement. As stated, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse (Part One) followed close behind, with The Batman, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Jurassic World: Dominion rounding out the top five. Marvel distinctively ended 2021 with Spider-Man: No Way Home, and it looks to continue that momentum with three new films; Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness came in at number six on the list. The exciting content inching closer is spurring enthusiasm, but there are some performances that audiences can’t wait to fully experience. Chris Hemsworth took the top spot for the most anticipated returning performance with Thor: Love and Thunder. At the same time, Robert Pattinson took top honors for the most anticipated new performance with The Batman.
Audiences are still looking forward to a fantastic year in the theater. When asked about their desire to return to the theater, 94% indicated they wanted to go to the theater more often in 2022 than in 2021. The success of Spider-Man: No Way Home is a promising sign for Marvel Studios and the rest of the film industry. The release of Black Panther in 2018 ignited a tremendous rush to the theaters, and one can only assume that the lift will be even more significant for the highly anticipated sequel.
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Source: Fandango
