Michael B. Jordan penned a moving tribute to his Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman on his official Instagram account. Boseman passed away on Friday after a four-year battle against colon cancer.
Before Michael B. Jordan portrayed Erik “Killmonger” Stevens opposite Chadwick Boseman in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, both actors were tied together through a role they played in the ABC soap opera All My Children. In 2003, Boseman was cast as Reggie Porter and portrayed for the character for one week before being let go after voicing his concerns about the stereotypical nature of the role. Jordan then took over the role at the age of 16 and remained on the soap opera for nearly three years.
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In his tribute to Boseman, Jordan noted that his late Black Panther co-star has been inspiring him throughout his acting career ever since he took on the role of Reggie Porter. “Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me. You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create [a] legacy. And whether you’ve known it or not…I’ve been watching, learning, and constantly motivated by your greatness,” Jordan wrote.
Towards the end of his message, Jordan vowed to follow Boseman’s example, saying, “I’m more aware now than ever that time is short with people we love and admire. I’m gonna miss your honesty, your generosity, your sense of humor, and incredible gifts. I’ll miss the gift of sharing space with you in scenes. I’m dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did. With grace, courage, and no regrets. “Is this your king!?” Yes. He. Is! Rest In Power Brother.”
News of Boseman’s passing prompted a wave of social media posts expressing grief and condolences from the late actor’s co-stars in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Boseman had completed work on these Marvel Studios projects and more while privately receiving treatment for stage III colon cancer, which eventually progressed to stage IV in 2020. The late actor will next be seen posthumously opposite Viola Davis in director George C. Wolfe Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which completed production in August 2019 and debuts on Netflix on a yet-to-be-determined date.
Fans were also stunned to hear of Boseman’s passing and have been paying tribute to the Black Panther star in their own ways. On Sunday night, millions tuned in to ABC’s commercial-free airing of Black Panther and the tribute to Boseman that followed.
While the future of the Black Panther franchise is on the minds of some, most are casting those questions aside for the time being out of respect for Boseman. Instead, the focus has largely been on emphasizing the legacy he leaves behind and how his role as Black Panther will inspire children for years to come.
Black Panther is now available on Disney+.
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Source: Michael B. Jordan/Instagram
