Towson Cinemark Resuming "Black Panther" Screenings After Snafu

TOWSON, MD — A technical difficulty resulted in a major letdown for moviegoers Thursday night at Towson Cinemark. Many were turned away from the theater after being told that there was a problem with the film "Black Panther," according to ABC 2 News.

At first, moviegoers were told that the show may be delayed.

Cinemark had been billing Thursday as an opening night fan event, where moviegoers at the national chain could get free popcorn and a collectible coin.

Those at the Towson Cinemark instead found many shows were canceled Thursday after initial reports from staff that the issue was being resolved, according to ABC 2 News, which said there were long lines for refunds.

"Black Panther" is the first film in the wildly popular Marvel franchise to feature a black main character and consists of a largely black cast, as well as having a black director (Ryan Coogler). It has inspired the "Black Panther Challenge," in which community leaders have raised funds to ensure as many black children as possible get to see it.

SEE ALSO: 4 Black Panther Challenge Campaigns To Benefit Baltimore Students

Set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, "Black Panther" is the story of T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who returns to the isolated but technologically advanced country to take the throne after the death of his father, the king.

Other stars include Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Denzel Washington, Forrest Whitaker and Andy Serkis. The movie was filmed largely in the Atlanta area.

Black Panther was born in the 1960s, created by comic book legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Black Panther (real name: T'Challa) is the king of an African nation in addition to being a superhero. He made his first appearance in an issue of Fantastic Four in 1966, but later joined the superhero team, The Avengers. Black Panther was the first representation of a black superhero in mainstream comic books, and the first one with actual super powers.

A college student from Parkville who went to the theater to see "Black Panther" told The Baltimore Sun that droves of people showed up for opening night wearing African prints, black affirmation shirts and other clothing; the excitement was palpable until "boom, you can't see it," she told The Sun. "It's a huge letdown."

All shows are currently slated to continue as scheduled at Towson Cinemark.

See "Black Panther" showtimes at Towson Cinemark, CineBistro at the Rotunda, The Senator, AMC White Marsh and Landmark Harbor East.

— By Doug Gross, Neal McNamara and Elizabeth Janney