Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman died on August 28, 2020, after a four-year battle with colon cancer. Boseman is widely known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but has been starring on the big screen for several years now, having also appeared in films playing James Brown and Jackie Robinson.

Of course, his true big break came when he appeared as T'Challa aka Black Panther in 2016's Captain America: Civil War and then again in 2018's Black Panther, later re-appearing in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame as one of the most talked-about characters on-screen. Needless to say, Boseman's career-changing performance was also franchise-altering. Unfortunately, he won't get that chance to play the iconic Marvel hero again.

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According to AP News, Boseman passed away at age 43 due to colon cancer. Boseman never spoke about his diagnosis publicly, and he expertly managed to keep it a secret. It's astonishing that he was battling cancer for the entirety of his Marvel career. Playing a superhero on the big screen is no easy feat, as any Marvel or DC actor can attest to, but to do it while also suffering from colon cancer is superhuman. His family gave the following statement to AP:

“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more - all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”

Marvel Black Panther Chadwick Boseman

Boseman most recently appeared in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods movie on Netflix, playing a U.S. soldier who fought and died in Vietnam named Stormin' Norman, and he also completed work as Levee in George C. Wolfe's upcoming film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which could possibly be his final on-screen role. Boseman was also scheduled to reprise his role as Black Panther in Marvel's What If series on Disney+ as well as Ryan Coogler's Black Panther 2. Given that the latter movie is still in the early stages of development and isn't scheduled to release in theaters until 2022, Marvel will need to alter their plans for the film (and the franchise's future) if they choose to continue (with another actor or character) or scrap it.

Beyond his film appearances, though, Boseman is widely known for his community work and being an activist combating racial injustice in America and around the world. To commemorate Jackie Robinson Day in April, Boseman, who played Robinson in the movie 42, contributed to #Operation42's donation of $4.2 million in personal protective equipment to hospitals serving Black communities in America. But even though the MLB celebrated the day on its actual date, the on-field celebrations coincidentally took place on August 28, the day Boseman passed away.

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Source: AP News