On August 28, 2020, the Marvel Cinematic Universe
lost a shining light with the death of Black
Panther star Chadwick Boseman. Joining in
with grieving fans around the world, Boseman's
fellow Marvel cohorts and the minds behind
the franchise are honoring his memory in touching
ways.
Taking to Instagram, Thor actor Chris Hemsworth
shared a photo of himself with Boseman, writing
in the caption that the Black Panther star,
whom he appeared alongside in Avengers: Infinity
War and Avengers: Endgame, was a truly special
person. Hemsworth wrote:
"Gonna miss you mate. Absolutely heartbreaking.
One of the kindest most genuine people I’ve
met. Sending love and support to all the family
xo RIP @chadwickboseman."
Another of the MCU's Chrises honored Boseman's
memory with an emotional post shared to his
social media. On Twitter, Captain America
actor Chris Evans wrote:
"I'm absolutely devastated. This is beyond
heartbreaking. Chadwick was special. A true
original. He was a deeply committed and constantly
curious artist. He had so much amazing work
still left to create. I'm endlessly grateful
for our friendship. Rest in power, King."
Evans shared the screen with Boseman in three
of the latter's four MCU appearances: Captain
America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War,
and Avengers: Endgame.
Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. took to both
Twitter and Instagram to share his condolences
and express his grief over Boseman's death.
Putting a personal and poignant spin on the
powerful phrase uttered by the Wakandan people
in Black Panther, "Wakanda forever," Downey
Jr. wrote that it's now #ChadwickForever.
"Wakanda forever!"
He shared a heartwarming GIF of himself crumpling
into a ball of laughter, resting his head
on Boseman's shoulder and hugging his arm,
as Boseman smiled at the camera and said what
we can only imagine was pretty hilarious,
as was the norm for Boseman.
"Mr. Boseman leveled the playing field while
fighting for his life...That's heroism," wrote
Downey Jr. "I'll remember the good times,
the laughter, and the way he changed the game...#chadwickforever."
Angela Bassett joined the MCU with Black Panther,
in which she played King T'Challa's mother
and adviser, Ramonda. For Bassett, the bond
that she formed with Boseman was more than
just professional, it was one of true friendship
that felt like destiny. In an Instagram post,
the actress shared an anecdote about how she
and Boseman actually met years before Black
Panther, when Boseman was the student escort
for Bassett when she received an honorary
degree from Howard University.
"It was meant to be for Chadwick and me to
be connected, for us to be family. But what
many don't know is our story began long before
his historic turn as Black Panther. During
the premiere party for Black Panther, Chadwick
reminded me of something. He whispered that
when I received my honorary degree from Howard
University, his alma mater, he was the student
assigned to escort me that day. And here we
were, years later as friends and colleagues,
enjoying the most glorious night ever!"
She continued:
"I am honored that we enjoyed that full circle
experience. This young man's dedication was
awe-inspiring, his smile contagious, his talent
unreal. So I pay tribute to a beautiful spirit,
a consummate artist, a soulful brother…'thou
aren’t not dead but flown afar…'"
In Black Panther, Sterling K. Brown portrayed
N'Jobu, the paternal uncle of Boseman's King
T'Challa. The actor took to Twitter in the
wake of Boseman's death to thank him for being
a bright light in the world, though Brown
admitted he was speechless over the news.
"I don't have words. Rest In Peace, Bruh.
Thank you for all you did while you were here.
Thank you for being a friend. You are loved.
You will be missed."
"In my culture, death is not the end. It's
more of a stepping off point."
Though Gamora actress Zoe Saldana only shared
a few minutes of screen time with Boseman
in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame,
those moments will stick with her forever.
Saldana shared an emotional tribute to her
Instagram page, writing that Boseman's death
has affected her in a big way and that she
will always remember Boseman's kind heart
and bright demeanor.
"Rest in Power King T'Challa. My heart is
so heavy right now. Your passing has hit me
hard. I will tell my sons about you forever.
You were one of the classiest men I have ever
met in my life...Though our acquaintance was
light you always left a lasting impression
because of your energy, poise and gentle manner.
May the Universe deliver you to your [promised]
land brother."
She added an extra message in Spanish, which
translated to English read:
"May you finally rest in peace and in power.
With how little you were here, you left an
incredible legacy!!!"
Chris Pratt, who portrays Peter Quill, a.k.a.
Star-Lord, in the MCU, shared a short but
sweet message following the news of Boseman's
passing.
On Instagram, accompanying a black-and-white
photo of Boseman smiling his million-watt
smile, Pratt wrote:
"My prayers go out to Chadwick's family and
loved ones. The world will miss his tremendous
talent. God rest his soul. #wakandaforever."
Captain Marvel actress Brie Larson is another
MCU star who didn't share a whole lot of scenes
with Boseman's Black Panther, but the time
the two spent together behind the scenes allowed
for a friendship to form. Larson took to Instagram
to tribute Boseman and remember the fond memories
they made.
"Chadwick was someone who radiated power and
peace. Who stood for so much more than himself.
Who took the time to really see how you were
doing and gave words of encouragement when
you felt unsure. I'm honored to have the memories
I have. The conversations, the laughter. My
heart is with you and your family. You will
be missed and never forgotten. Rest in power
and peace my friend."
Bruce Banner star Mark Ruffalo had some memorable
and hilarious moments with Boseman's King
T'Challa in the MCU.
"What are you doing?"
"We don't do that here."
Ruffalo honored his fellow MCU actor with
a tribute shared to Twitter, writing:
"All I have to say is the tragedies amassing
this year have only been made more profound
by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman. What a man,
and what an immense talent. Brother, you were
one of the all time greats and your greatness
was only beginning. Lord love ya. Rest in
power, King."
News of Boseman's passing hit Don Cheadle,
the actor who has played James "Rhodey" Rhodes
in the MCU since 2010's Iron Man 2, especially
hard. Cheadle and Boseman actually share a
birthday: November 29. The two developed a
meaningful friendship over the years, with
Cheadle ultimately remembering Boseman as,
quote, "light and love." The actor wrote on
Twitter:
"I will miss you, birthday brother"
He added the peace sign, heart, raised fist,
and hands-across-chest emojis to signify the
iconic "Wakanda forever" gesture seen in Black
Panther. He added in the caption:
"Forever and ever..."
Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi shared
a powerful message on Twitter in response
to Boseman's passing, writing:
"Devastating news. We lost a great one"
At the end of the tweet, Waititi added a Maori
phrase that roughly translates to English
as:
"Lie down, Lord."
Bob Iger, the former CEO and current executive
chairman of the Walt Disney Company, which
owns Marvel Studios, took to Twitter to pen
a tribute to Boseman that spanned several
tweets, writing:
"We are all heartbroken by the tragic loss
of Chadwick Boseman, an extraordinary talent,
and one of the most gentle and giving souls
I have ever met. He brought enormous strength,
dignity and depth to his groundbreaking role
of Black Panther; shattering myths and stereotypes,
becoming a long-awaited hero to millions around
the world, and inspiring us all to dream bigger
and demand more than the status quo."
Marvel Studios president and chief creative
officer of Marvel Entertainment Kevin Feige
shared an emotional tribute to Boseman in
light of his tragic passing, saying:
"Chadwick's passing is absolutely devastating.
He was our T'Challa, our Black Panther, and
our dear friend. Each time he stepped on set,
he radiated charisma and joy, and each time
he appeared on screen, he created something
truly indelible. He embodied a lot of amazing
people in his work, and nobody was better
at bringing great men to life. He was as smart
and kind and powerful and strong as any person
he portrayed. Now he takes his place alongside
them as an icon for the ages."
