Is anyone else from Illinois going to have a difficult time watching #TheBlackPanther w/out mentally referring to the Chicago suburb when they mention the stunning nation in the film? 😂😂😂 Can't wait to see it! #Wakanda vs Wauconda. #photo pic.twitter.com/8CpeKg8q24
— Laurice Marier (@TheRealLaurice) February 18, 2018
Pronounced the same way as the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, the town, where about 20,000 people reside, has already received a call asking whether they were hiding vibranium, the strongest metal in the world of Wakanda.
Another fan called to ask about the village's pronunciation. "When I told him, he began yelling, 'Wakanda forever!'" Alise Homola, executive assistant to Wauconda's village administrator and mayor, told the Hollywood Reporter.
» RELATED: 'Black Panther' was the first movie filmed at Tyler Perry Studios' new stages
"At first, I was like, is there a full moon out?” Homola said, confused about the calls and requests for vibranium. She knew about the film but not the plot.
I’ve been very confused lately when I hear Wakanda mentioned because where I’m from Wauconda is where my grandfather lives #BlackPanther #waucondanotwakanda pic.twitter.com/BhmCMERP6q
— Daniel Parmer (@dparmer) February 15, 2018
In the Marvel universe, the Kingdom of Wakanda is a fictional nation ruled by T’Challa, or the Black Panther. Thanks to its massive hidden stash of vibranium, it’s also one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Wauconda High School Principal Dan Klett even received an inquiry about changing the school’s mascot from a bulldog to a black panther. But that won’t be happening.
» RELATED: 'Black Panther': Five things to know about the movie's ties to metro Atlanta
While Wauconda, Illinois, has no plans to play up the “Black Panther” connection, other cities are getting in on the fun.
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport announced on Twitter that it would be offering nonstop flights to the fictional kingdom, prompting hilarious reactions from some of the stars of "Black Panther" themselves.
We've gotta have some music on the in-flight entertainment too. Now streaming: Killmonger Me Softly, T'Challa Back Girl, M'Baku That Thang Up, Straight Outta Wakanda, N'Jadaka Said Knock You Out.
— Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) February 20, 2018
The blockbuster's ties to the metro Atlanta region are a pretty big deal. In fact, almost $84 million of flick's reported $200 million budget was spent in Georgia, the AJC previously reported.
Several scenes of Wakanda were actually shot at the beautiful rock quarry at the Vulcan Materials Co. in Stockbridge.
» RELATED: Made in Atlanta: "Black Panther" stuns with $235 million four-day take
According to the state economic development department, 3,100 people working in Georgia’s booming film industry were employed during the shoot, which started in August 2016 and wrapped up in November 2017.
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