The year 2020 is yet to give us all a break as we saw the death of yet another celebrity this year. The protagonist of Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman lost his four-year long battle to colon cancer last week. He was a talented actor, a loving husband and a caring father and his death is a great loss to the industry and his loved ones. It was Black Panther that made Chadwick rise to fame, making him a household name.
Ryan Coogler, director of the infamous Black Panther movie has now paid tribute to the actor, just days after his death. While referencing his film, he wrote,”It is with a heavy heart and a sense of deep gratitude to have ever been in his presence, that I have to reckon with the fact that Chad is an ancestor now.”
Like many, the director too was unaware of how much Boseman’s condition had deteriorated. “After his family released their statement, I realized that he was living with his illness the entire time I knew him. Because he was a caretaker, a leader, and a man of faith, dignity and pride, he shielded his collaborators from his suffering. He lived a beautiful life. And he made great art. Day after day, year after year. That was who he was. He was an epic firework display. I will tell stories about being there for some of the brilliant sparks till the end of my days,” he said.
The film maker went on to recall how he went about getting Chadwick on board for the film, who had been cast in Captain America: Civil War, and that when deciding on whether or not to take on the job of directing a film soley based on Black Panther. “I noticed then that Chad was an anomaly. He was calm. Assured. Constantly studying. But also kind, comforting, had the warmest laugh in the world, and eyes that seen much beyond his years, but could still sparkle like a child seeing something for the first time.I spent the last year preparing, imagining and writing words for him to say, that we weren’t destined to see,” wrote Coogler.
http://thebrownidentity.com/2020/08/31/chadwick-bosemans-last-post-becomes-most-liked-on-twitter-beats-barack-obamas-previous-record/
Perhaps the fact that not many were aware of his condition left everyone in shock when news of his death surfaced. The sporting world too was left in shock as Chadwick gave a stellar performance of Major League Baseball legend Jackie Robinson in 2013’s 42. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Robinson’s team, held a moment of silence before the team played the Texas Rangers over the weekend.