IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Photos and text from wire services

“Black Panther” debuted with $361 million in worldwide ticket sales, setting up the $200 million film for a theatrical run that should easily eclipse $1 billion. History is assured. Just months after Jenkins helmed the biggest box-office hit directed by a woman, Ryan Coogler will set a new mark for films directed by an African American. The debut, the best ever for February, is the fifth highest of all time, not accounting for inflation.

At a time where hits are hard to come by for Hollywood, diversity in storytelling is proving to be not only a just cause, but a box-office imperative.

“If you want to succeed on the global stage, certainly in the tentpole business, you have to have diversity in storytelling, in the characters that you put in front of the camera, in the artisans you put behind the camera — to be able to get that better, richer storytelling and to drive huge results,” said Dave Hollis, distribution chief for Disney. “The results speak for themselves.”

Hollis pointed to the many factors that made “Black Panther” a hit: Coogler’s direction, the stewardship of Kevin Feige’s Marvel, the reliability of the brand. But he also noted a developing pattern for Disney — that inclusive films are both richer for their diversity and, often, richer for the bottom line.

BRONTE WITTPENN — THE FLINT JOURNAL-MLIVE.COM VIA AP Audience members watch the beginning of “Black Panther” during a private screening on Friday in Grand Blanc, Mich.