Chadwick Boseman death stuns Spike Lee who had ‘no idea’ of cancer battle on set

Spike Lee has shared his shock at Chadwick Boseman’s cancer death as he revealed he had ‘no idea’ the actor was ill when they worked together last year.

The pair joined forces on Vietman war movie Da 5 Bloods with Spike directing Chadwick as Commander Stormin Norman.

Paying tribute to his friend and colleague, Spike said he ‘never suspected’ anything was wrong during the gruelling shoot and Chadwick did not complain once.

“‘We filmed Da 5 Bloods in Thailand, and it was hot, jungles, mountains, and Chadwick was there with us all the way,” he said.

“I never, ever suspected that anything was wrong. No one knew he was going through treatment, chemotherapy.

“Chadwick, a trooper, never complained. He was there every single minute in the moment.

“And his performance is a testament to what he put into that role, and all his roles. We miss you, Chadwick, we’re going to celebrate your life.”

Spike then dedicated Michael Jackson’s 1991 hit Gone Too Soon to Chadwick, whose incredible legacy has been celebrated by his fans and entertainment industry peers following the tragic news of his death this weekend.

In a statement, Chadwick’s family revealed that he had been battling colon cancer after being diagnosed as ‘Stage 3’ in 2016.

Chadwick went on to make back to back hit movies in the four years since while simultaneously undergoing surgery and chemotherapy to treat his illness – without making it public.

Despite his secrecy, an old interview with Chadwick has resurfaced where he appears to hint of his pain.

While promoting hit 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, Chadwick was interviewed by Huffington Post writer Matthew Jacobs.

Jacobs asked the actor how he coped with having to bulk up for his role in the Marvel franchise which Chadwick filmed scenes for either side of starring in movie Marshall, where he played the first African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Mashall.

“Did you bulk up, slim down and then bulk up again?” Jacobs wanted to know, noting that Chadwick looked exhausted.

“Right, yeah, yeah, yeah,” confirmed Chadwick.

“You’ve been through the wringer,” exclaimed Jacobs.

“Oh, you don’t even know,” Boseman responded with a laugh. “You have no idea. One day I’ll live to tell the story.”

The actor’s health battle at death at the age of 43 was confirmed by his family on Friday.

“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” the statement read. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage IV. A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.”