‘How we’ll remember ‘Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman’
Chadwick Boseman, known for his lead role in the Black Panther movie, died of colon cancer on August 28 at the age of 43. Here, some Nigerian fans share how they will remember him.
The world, and Africans in particular, received the news of Chadwick Boseman’s death on August 28 with great shock, not just because he was a fantastic actor in the American superhero movie, ‘Black Panther’, but because he was a representation of what a black hero could be like.
Released in 2018, ‘Black Panther’s’ hero was Boseman as T’Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, who must step forward to lead his people into a new future and also confront a challenger from his country’s past.
The film was based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It was produced by Ryan Coogler and included stars like Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira among others.
Daily Trust Saturday spoke to some Nigerians about how they will remember Boseman, and filmmaker, singer and songwriter, Husayn Zaguru simply pointed out that: “everyone needs a hero to look up to. He gave us a black super hero!”
A teacher and poet, Henry Tokula said he will remember the late actor for having a soul of a much older person. “He wasn’t a Denzel Washington or Will Smith, but I believe he could have done justice to any of their greatest works. He was only getting warm before tragedy struck. He will be missed,” he said.
Literary agent and children’s literature author, Salamatu Sule, described Boseman as a blessing to the world and the movie industry. She added that “He came, saw and conquered. He is indeed a soft and humble person. The world will miss him for his humility.”
A veterinary doctor and writer, Olufemi Sorunmu said he knew absolutely nothing about Boseman aside “playing the amazing” King T’challa in the ‘Black Panther’. He said the biggest impression he has of him was after his death. “He was on red carpet and was being questioned about possible sequels of some of his movies and characters and he kept saying ‘I’m dead’,” Sorunmu said. “Ideally that could have been funny Jon Snow in GOT. It was the kind of thing you say about your character and follow it up with a giggle. Sadly, he was straight-faced, emphatic, the face of a man who wasn’t craving sympathy while alive, leaving people to their sentiments only after his death.”
According to NME, Boseman hadn’t told anyone at Marvel or Disney about his cancer diagnosis before his death, with the intention of still filming ‘Black Panther 2’. He is said to have kept his diagnosis private from studio executives and his fellow actors and collaborators.
Boseman only told a number of non-family members about his diagnosis, including his producing partner Logan Coles, his agent Michael Greene, his trainer Addison Henderson and filmmaker Brian Helgeland.
The ‘Black Panther’ superhero’s death came at a time when movie fans are awaiting the release of ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ set to be released in 2021, a movie inspired by the Black Panther Party (BPP) revolutionary socialist political organisation founded by Marxist college students Bobby Seale (Chairman) and Huey Newton (Minister of Defense) in October 1966 in Oakland, California.
Boseman was born and raised in South Carolina. He began his career with guest appearances on television, particularly in the short-lived ‘Lincoln Heights’. His breakthrough role came when he played Jackie Robinson, a baseball player in the biopic 42 in 2013.
Everyone needs a hero to look up to. He gave us a black super hero!”