A Wrinkle in Time has commanded the second slot at the box office this weekend, further proving that Hollywood and moviegoers across the world are ready for more inclusive films.
As reported, the Ava DuVernay-directed film is projected to reach $33.5 million for its opening weekend. Disney currently owns the top two slots, with Black Panther’s $41.1M commanding the lead for the fourth weekend in a row.
Amid all of these colossal and culturally impactful victories, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler took a moment to celebrate his “big sister,” penning a heartfelt ode to DuVernay on A Wrinkle In Time‘s opening day (March 9).
“Ava DuVernay is someone who makes the impossible look easy,” Coogler opened the open letter, which was published in full via ESPN.com. “It’s why I feel privileged to call her my big sister. I met her in 2013, but she’s one of those people who you feel like you’ve always known.”
He then continued on about how from the moment he met her, when she balancing her screenwriting, producing and owning her own company with being a respected publicist, he knew she was “already one of my heroes, and that was before she took one of the most sought-after scripts in Hollywood and turned it into the best film about Dr. Martin Luther King that anyone will ever make.”
In addition to listing out her many accomplishments, Coogler also takes a moment to note how she has worked tirelessly to improve diversity on her sets.
“Ava is a pioneer,” the piece continued. “She makes the most distant dreams and ideas a reality. She made a show called ‘Queen Sugar’ and mandated the use of female directors and key creatives a full two years before the great Frances McDormand shared with the world what an inclusion rider was. Ava is inclusion, equity and representation.”
Many congrats to Ava DuVernay for once again pushing boundaries and for being an inspiration to so many. See Ryan Coogler’s open letter in full, here.