Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan Shared Their Thoughts On Why ‘Black Panther’ Was So Important For the World To See
After the tragic death of actor Chadwick Boseman in Aug., the world is still reeling. Fans and celebrities continue to express their grief about the shocking loss of one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. Prominent actors, such as Boseman’s Black Panther co-star Michael B. Jordan, have even penned heartfelt messages explaining just how much Boseman meant to them.
In a recently resurfaced clip, the Boseman and Jordan take turns answering a number of questions about subjects such as British women, Spiderman, and their Black Panther castmates. The video takes a heartwarming turn when the two are asked about the importance of the Black Panther film in today’s society, and why it’s necessary for people to see it.
Chadwick Boseman died in late Aug. due to cancer
The world was stunned when it was announced on Aug. 28 that Boseman had died due to complications from colon cancer. The actor had been battling the condition for several years in private, and only his family knew about the severity of his illness. Fans had begun to speculate that Boseman may have been ill due to the actor’s appearance in numerous photos, but there was little information to support the claims.
Immediately after the announcement of his death, an outpouring of grief and shock consumed the internet. Countless celebrities, entertainers, and fans shared their thoughts on the iconic actor, expressing their sorrow and sharing how much the actor meant to them. One of those people was Michael B. Jordan, who co-starred with Boseman in Marvel’s 2018 blockbuster Black Panther.
Boseman and Jordan had a relationship many years before ‘Black Panther’
Although Boseman and Jordan are most known for starring opposite each other in Black Panther, the two had actually been friends long before the movie was ever filmed. The two had initially been connected due to their appearances in the hit soap opera All My Children, as they both played the same role. Boseman had been cast to play Reggie Montgomery but was fired after voicing concerns about the racist stereotypes the role required him to uphold.
In an interview with The Wrap, Boseman explained his thoughts on the role and the issues he had with it.
“I remember going home and thinking, ‘Do I say something to them about this? Do I just do it?’ And I couldn’t just do it,” Boseman said. “I had to voice my opinions and put my stamp on it.”
Shortly after Boseman was fired, Jordan was cast as his replacement. This role laid the foundation for Jordan to receive roles in productions such as Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, and Fruitvale Station. Jordan was subsequently cast as Erik Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther franchise.
Boseman and Jordan shared their thoughts on the importance of ‘Black Panther’
In a resurfaced clip from a 2018 interview with LAD Bible, Boseman and Jordan were asked why they felt Black Panther was important to the world. They both shared their thoughts, with Boseman stating: “We’ve never seen anything like this before. I don’t think we’ve seen African culture expressed on this stage, in this way.”
Jordan also chimed in, stating: “It’s the perfect time for it… We’ll get a lot more people to be more open-minded to something they wouldn’t normally be able to sit down and watch… I think moving forward you’ll see more studios and more projects be a little more diverse.”
Black Panther went on to become one of the most successful films of 2018, collecting over $1.3 billion at the box office and receiving nominations for several Academy Awards.
