Black Panther Director Ryan Coogler Shares Heartfelt Tribute To Chadwick Boseman

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has shared an emotional statement following the death of Chadwick Boseman.

Boseman died of cancer on Thursday, at his LA home surrounded by his family.He was just 43.

Posting on the official Marvel website, Coogler wrote a touching tribute to Boseman in which he talked about first meeting the star as well as the pain he is feeling as he tries to come to terms with the loss.

PA

It reads in part: "I noticed then that Chad was an anomaly. He was calm. Assured. Constantly studying. But also, kind, comforting, had the warmest laugh in the world, and eyes that seen much beyond his years, but could still sparkle like a child seeing something for the first time."

Boseman never spoke publicly about having his cancer, but following his death, his family said in a statement he was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and that it progressed to stage IV.

Coogler's statement continued: "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. 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.

"I haven't grieved a loss this acute before. I spent the last year preparing, imagining and writing words for him to say, that we weren't destined to see. It leaves me broken knowing that I won't be able to watch another close-up of him in the monitor again or walk up to him and ask for another take."

The post ends: "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."

You can read the full post here.

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

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