PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — "Wakanda forever!" 

That's what Pasco Hernando State College professors chose to name their special presentation of the critical and commercial smash hit superhero film "Black Panther," in connection with Black History Month and just days away from this year's Academy Awards.

  • "Black Panther" nominated for 7 Oscars, including "Best Picture"
  • Film ranks as 3rd highest grossing film in U.S. ever
  • Dr. Davina Jones: Lessons in history, social justice, technology all can be learned from film
  • More Pasco County stories

Dr. Davina Jones says lessons in history, social justice and technology can all be learned from the film. 

“What we saw was entertainment, but we also saw history being narrated back to us,” Jones said. “We saw American history. We saw the history of black/white, African-Americans and Africans.”

The character in the comics, conversely, was also affected by events in real-life U.S. history. For example, the character had his name briefly changed to “Black Leopard” in the early 1970s. 

Associate Professor Joseph Ward says the change came due to Marvel’s concern with the real Black Panther Party. 

“When he was first created, he was a very minor character. Over the years, he became more and more important,” Ward said.  

To say T'Challa has come a long way in the decades since is an understatement. "Black Panther" went on to become the highest grossing solo superhero film of all time and the third-highest grossing U.S. film ever. 

“To see a superhero film like this have such success, I think it’s great not just for "Black Panther," but for superhero films as a genre,” Ward said. 

Marvel fans hope that success continues at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony this Sunday. The film has a chance to be the first film of its genre to win "Best Picture."

In total, "Black Panther" has seven Oscar nominations. The other nominations are for Best Production Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.