Marvel Studios
Over the weekend, Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away at the age of 43-years-old following a heroic four year battle with colon cancer.
The late actor — who starred as iconic figures such as Ernie Davis, Thurgood Marshall, James Brown, Jackie Robinson, and King T’Challa — had kept his struggles private, as the news of his tragic death on Friday also served as the first time that anyone even became aware he was suffering from cancer.
The loss was particularly devastating for the black community, as Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of King T’Challa in Black Panther marked the first time that an African American had starred in his own superhero tentpole film (if you haven’t seen the video of Boseman on The Tonight Show that highlights this notion, it’s an absolute must-watch). A superhero film that grossed over a billion dollars at the global box office and brought in a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, mind you. When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s crowning achievements, Black Panther is near the top.
To honor Boseman’s legacy, Disney aired Black Panther on ABC on Sunday night commercial-free, before airing a special tribute event hosted by Robin Roberts, that featured the following tribute from Marvel Studios and his MCU co-stars.
To open the program, Marvel Studios put together a tribute film of Boseman’s time playing Black Panther that featured clips from Marvel Cinematic Universe producers and co-stars signing the highest of praises about the late actor, his work ethic, his professionalism, but most importantly, the character of his soul.
You will always be our King. pic.twitter.com/6yfKb913rI
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 31, 2020
Boseman may be gone, but through the films he went through hell to leave us with, his legacy will live on forever, and for that, we can on thank him and wish him well on his journey. Rest in greatest power, Chadwick. We’ll all miss you. Wakanda Forever.
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