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'Black Panther' star Lupita Nyong'o writes heartbreaking message for Chadwick Boseman
"Black Panther" actress Lupita Nyong'o, who played the Wakandan warrior Nakia and T'Challa's love interest, shared a heartbreaking tribute for her on-screen partner Chadwick Boseman.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Lupita revealed how Chadwick's passing still didn't make sense to her.
"The news of his passing is a punch to my gut every morning," she wrote.
The actress described Chadwick, who is known for his role as the Black Panther, as someone who made the most of his time, who never seemed to rush and commanded his time with ease.
"Chadwick was a man who made the most of his time, and somehow also managed to take his time," Lupita said. "I didnt know him for long, but he had a profound effect on me in the time that I did."
Lupita recalled how she was struck with Chadwick's quiet and powerful presence when they came together to make the "Black Panther" film.
Chadwick always showed up to every rehearsal, training and shoot day with his game face on, said Lupita, and he "set the bar high."
"His large hands would descend on my shoulders and give them a squeeze that relieved me of the tensions I did not realize I was holding," Lupita shared. "Chadwick's hands were strong enough to carry the weight of the film and free enough to clasp mine when I needed it."
Lupita also revealed that Chadwick did his own stunts, danced nights away and even mastered martial arts despite his diagnosis.
"In so doing, he took the risk to be alive, fully alive so it seems that it was life that gave up on Chadwick long before Chadwick gave up on life," she wrote.
The actress shared that whenever she was around Chadwick, she wanted to be better and because he pushed through and worked "with such high purpose" in his films, Chadwick "has made the infinite his home."
"Chadwick's death is something that I can neither take in nor take in my stride right now," Lupita said. "And in his honor, I promise not to waste my time. I hope you will do the same."
Aside from Lupita, Chadwick's "Black Panther" co-stars Angela Bassett and Letitia Wright and other Marvel actors expressed their grief and offered their condolences.
Chadwick died Aug. 29 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
Although he was diagnosed in 2016 with Stage 3 colon cancer that gradually progressed to Stage 4, it didn’t stop him from joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Black Panther in the same year.
He went on to star in his own blockbuster Marvel film 2 years later.
The “Black Panther” star also joined “Avengers: Infinity War” in 2018 and “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.
Chadwick was supposed to reprise his role as Black Panther in its sequel movie slated for 2022. — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News
