Sebastian Stan Pays Tribute To Chadwick Boseman’s Birthday In A Touching Video

Following the release of the Black Panther sequel, which paid tribute to the late actor, Marvel Cinematic Universe star Sebastian Stan has shared a touching video in honor of Chadwick Boseman’s birthday. Boseman is best known for his role as King T’Challa, also known as Black Panther, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Stan, who plays Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, collaborated with Boseman on Captain America: Civil War and also appeared with him in Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame. Boseman was privately diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, and tragically died from the disease in 2020. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, his final film, earned him a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in 2020.

Stan remembers Boseman fondly in a video posted on Twitter by the Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts in honor of his birthday, and reflects on the blessings that Boseman shared with the world. Stan describes Boseman as a “beautiful leader” and an inspiration, and says the actor’s birthday has given him pause to reflect on his legacy. Stan then donates to Boseman’s foundation, which helps Black storytellers, & encourages viewers to spread love and kindness to one another. See below for Stan’s tribute:

Why Fans Still Love Chadwick Boseman So Much

Boseman was not only a well-liked actor, but also an important part of the MCU. Boseman’s work as the first actor to play Black Panther and the first Black actor to headline an MCU film was lauded by audiences all over the world who were keen to see representation on-screen in a huge superhero franchise. Following the massive accomplishment of Black Panther in 2018, a sequel was announced, but Boseman died before work could begin. Though there were calls to recast T’Challa, Marvel instead chose to pass the mantle of Black Panther on to T’Challa’s sister Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film, which was released on November 11, serves as a tribute to the actor, with a moment of silence during the opening Marvel credits honoring his legacy.

Black Panther changed the MCU forever, bringing much-needed portrayal to the franchise, it was Boseman’s goal to avoid stereotyping in his portrayal of T’Challa. Boseman reflected on T’Challa’s first MCU appearance in Civil War, and said that he knew “how important it is, especially for people of African descent,” and that he was “very cognizant about creating a character that had his own through-line, his own intent, and he wasn’t going to waver for anybody else’s story.” Outside of his role as the King of Wakanda, Boseman was well-known for his roles in films ranging from James Brown in Get On Up to Thurgood Marshall in Marshall.

Despite Boseman’s death, his work and legacy continue to thrive. Stan put it best when he said that Boseman influenced the world with his strength and “examples of love and empathy,” and even in his absence, his foundation is carrying on with that work, both within and outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chadwick Boseman left an indelible imprint on the world, and Stan’s tribute demonstrates that his life and legacy will not be forgotten.

Source: Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts/Twitter