Actor Chadwick Boseman, playing the lead role in Black Panther, has died of an illness he never mentioned existed. His death created a wave of sadness within the film community.
A cancer he had been fighting for four years
The American actor had never spoken about it in public, and yet, for 4 years, he had been fighting colon cancer. After a series of operations and chemotherapy, he died at only 43 years old this Saturday, August 29. It is a press release that announces the sad news on Chadwick Boseman's social networks. We can read the following words:
It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman […] Playing King T'Challa in Black Panther had been the great honor of his career […] He died at home, surrounded by his wife and family.
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020
T'Challa, a role that transformed his career
Born in South Carolina, the son of a nurse and a textile factory worker, Chadwick Boseman began his career playing small roles in television series such as New York 911, New York, Criminal Investigation and The Experts: Manhattan. It is in 2016 that his career will take another turn. Indeed, he will play in Captain America: Civil War the role of the Black Panther. As we read in the release, playing this Marvel superhero was a real honor for him. In addition, it is important to notify, the film directed by Ryan Coogler is an adaptation of the first black superhero created by the Marvel Comics Studio in the 1960s. To summarize the story of the film, it features King T'Challa's fight to defend his people, his homeland and his country, Wakanda. Its particularity is its technological advancement, completely futuristic and impressive on the screen. This blockbuster has generated more than a billion dollars in box office revenue. But, more than a question of profitability, this film was able to counteract stereotypes. He put forward a prosperous African country, helping its neighboring countries and further afield with its advanced technology.
This is obviously not the only significant role of his career. He earlier played baseball star Jackie Robinson in Brian Helgeland's 2013 film 42. The following year, he adapted James Brown's life to the big screen in Tate Taylor's Get on Up . Most recently, he played a war veteran in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods, released on Netflix in June 2020.
A second installment of Black Panther was planned for 2022, he was to reprise his role of T'Challa.
An international tribute to Chadwick Boseman's family
Hollywood stars mourn the passing of their colleague Chadwick Boseman. Once his death was officially announced, very moving tributes followed. On social networks, #WakandaForever is at the top of trends. Actress Zoe Saldana shared her sadness on Twitter: "I'm going to have to tell Cy, Bowie and Zen [her children] that T'Challa has passed away. What other king can I tell them about now? Actress Angela Bassett, who plays T'Challa's mother in Black Panther, paid tribute to the talented Chadwick Boseman on Instagram:
We were made Chadwick and I to be connected, to be a family. […] We had spent weeks getting ready, working, sitting side by side every morning on makeup chairs, getting ready for the day together as mother and son. I am honored that we enjoyed this full circle experience. The dedication of this young man was impressive, his smile contagious, his talent unreal. I therefore pay tribute to a beautiful spirit, an accomplished artist, a brother full of soul. "You didn't die but you flew away… ". Everything you owned, Chadwick, you gave freely. Rest in peace, sweet prince. #WakandaForever "
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdWTTlDysD/ French actor Omar Sy also wrote a short but strong message on Twitter "I have no words, rest in peace my brother. My prayers and thoughts for yours." Halle Berry, Chris Pratt, Oprah Winfrey and hundreds of other celebrities expressed their sadness on social media. US presidential candidate Joe Biden also shared his grief:
Chadwick Boseman's true power was much stronger than the one we were able to discover on the big screen. From Black Panther to Jackie Robinson he has inspired many generations and shown them that they can be anything they aspire to – including superheroes.
https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1299542508586885122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1299542508586885122%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemonde.fr%2Fdisparitions%2Farticle%2F2020%2F08%2F29%2Fl-acteur-chadwick-boseman-premier-role-dans-black-panther-est-mort_6050271_3382.html The death of Chadwick Boseman conveyed immense grief to fans and celebrities alike. Of course, we send the family our condolences.