At some point in 2016, Chadwick Boseman, known for his role as the Black Panther in the MCU, was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. However, he chose not to share the diagnosis with anyone. Only some of his close associates were aware of his condition, including his producing partner Logan Coles, his agent Michael Greene, and his personal trainer Addison Henderson. However, the actor hadn’t lost hope and was willing to beat it.
Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of Black Panther in the MCU has managed to leave a lasting impression on the franchise and fans alike. His charismatic performance breathed new life into the iconic MCU character. However, the actor could not reprise his role in the second Black Panther film, as he passed away in August 2020.
Chadwick Boseman Was Sure He Would Beat Cancer
During the production of the first Black Panther film, director Ryan Coogler wasn’t aware of Chadwick Boseman’s health condition. Boseman’s brother Derrick said that Boseman didn’t want anyone to worry about him. Besides, he also appeared to be confident that he would eventually beat cancer and didn’t want the diagnosis to hamper his work or even become a hurdle.
According to MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios:
“That wasn’t the vanity of a man looking for more time in the spotlight, but the intensity of an artist who believed in the importance of the role he was playing.”
Spike Lee, the director of Chadwick Boseman-led drama Da 5 Bloods, filmed three years after the actor got diagnosed with cancer.
Spike Lee said:
“He did not look well, but my mind never took that he had cancer. I understand why Chadwick didn’t tell me, because he didn’t want me to take it easy, If I had known, I wouldn’t have made him do the stuff. And I respect him for that.”
The director also revealed that the actor never once complained about the grueling shoot in the Vietnamese jungle.
Sebastian Stan Was Impressed By Chadwick Boseman
In Captain America: Civil War, Sebastian Stan assumed the role of Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. His character engages in a fierce clash with Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther. During the filming process, Boseman not only impressed Stan as a character but also on a personal level with his commitment to the role.
Stan said (via MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios)
“There was such commitment and dedication to everything he was doing. We had a lot of these fight sequences, and we really went for it. I was like, ‘He’s really showing up. I got to stand tall, too.'”
Boseman’s first appearance in the MCU as Black Panther turned out to be impressive. His portrayal in the movie not only earned praise from critics but also forced the producers to make a standalone film centered around the character.
