Chadwick Boseman ‘shielded’ Black Panther cast and crew from secret cancer fight

Director Ryan Coogler has revealed that Chadwick Boseman did not disclose his cancer struggle to the Black Panther cast and crew.

The Black Panther director has penned a lengthy essay statement on losing Chadwick, who died on Friday at the age of 43 following a four-year battle with colon cancer.

In the essay,  Ryan disclosed that he and those involved with making Black Panther were unaware of Chadwick’s illness, with he himself first discovering his battle with colon cancer when his death was confirmed.

The director writes: “Chad deeply valued his privacy, and I wasn’t privy to the details of his illness. After his family released their statement, I realised 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.”

The Black Panther director was filled with love for the actor’s work and showed gratitude for all he did.

He continues: “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. What an incredible mark he’s left for us.”

Chadwick first played the superhero Black Panther/T’Challa in the film Captain America: Civil War, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo before his work with Coogler.

He went on to appear in the films Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame and was due to return to the role in Black Panther II, which is due to be directed by Ryan Coogler and released in 2022 – the status of which is now unknown.

The director spoke about his final communications with the actor before his death, emphasising Chadwick’s compassion even in the face of his illness.

Ryan writes: “It hurts more to know that we can’t have another conversation, or Facetime, or text message exchange.

“He would send vegetarian recipes and eating regimens for my family and me to follow during the pandemic. He would check in on me and my loved ones, even as he dealt with the scourge of cancer.”

The director concluded by saying: “I had no doubt that he would live on and continue to bless us with more. But 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.

“And I know that he will watch over us, until we meet again.”

The full essay from Coogler is available to read here.

Coogler is the latest to pay tribute to Chadwick, with his on-screen sister from Black Panther, Letitia Wright, tweeting of her “hurt” earlier today.

The words follow from tributes from her Black Panther co-stars Angela Bassett, Andy Serkis and Forest Whitaker.

The film also starred Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, and Martin Freeman.

What is your favourite work by Chadwick Boseman? Let us know in the comments below.