Lupita Nyong’o has broken her silence on the sixth anniversary of Chadwick Boseman’s death with an emotional message urging fans to cherish their loved ones while they can.
The 43-year-old Oscar winner took to Instagram on Saturday to honor her late “Black Panther” co-star, who died at age 43 from colon cancer in 2020. Nyong’o posted several photos of herself alongside Boseman and other Marvel cast members including Michael B. Jordan.
“Hold on to those you love who love you back. Tell them you love them. Show them you love them. You’ll miss them when they’re gone,” she wrote on the platform.
Nyong’o’s public grief has been raw and unguarded in the years since Boseman’s passing. Last year, she watched a clip from their film for the first time since his death and was overcome with emotion. After composing herself, she shared her philosophy on mourning.
“The grief is just the love. There’s no place to put it. I don’t run away from the tears or the grief. You just live with it,” she said.
The Kenyan-Mexican actress formed a close bond with Boseman during production of Marvel’s groundbreaking 2018 blockbuster, in which he portrayed King T’Challa. Their on-screen chemistry as T’Challa and Nakis helped anchor one of the most culturally significant superhero films ever made.
Boseman had kept his Stage 3 cancer diagnosis private for four years, continuing to work on major projects while undergoing treatment. During that period, he collaborated with Spike Lee on “Da 5 Bloods,” starred opposite Viola Davis in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and hosted “Saturday Night Live.” His family only revealed his condition after his death.
In his final months, Boseman was working with “Black Panther” executive producer Nate Moore on a Make-A-Wish-Foundation request for a terminally ill young boy. Moore later said about the actor’s dedication to the cause during COVID-19 lockdown, when they managed to deliver a voice note from T’Challa and toys despite strict restrictions.
“It was during [Covid-19] lockdown, and we worked together to get a young boy a voice note from T’Challa, as well as a package of toys – no easy feat when we weren’t allowed to leave our homes or go to the office,” Moore recalled. “But Chad figured out how to make it work because he cared so intently, and in hindsight, so personally.”
Moore also shared the final text message he received from Boseman, which addressed their work for the child.
“‘It broke me, man,'” the message began. “‘But we need to do that for them. People deserve abundant life, special moments. They’ve been through hell battling disease. If we were able to ease their suffering and bring joy for a moment, and hopefully moments as he goes through the bags, then we made a difference in his life.'”
The “Black Panther” franchise is moving forward with a new lead. British actor David Jonsson, fresh off his role in “Alien: Romulus,” will play King T’Challa’s son in the third solo film, set for release Christmas 2028. Ryan Coogler returns to direct.
Jonsson made his debut as the new Black Panther to a rapturous reception at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H earlier this summer. “I want to say thank you so much. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, [Kevin Feige]. Thank you to this amazing family that I honour, [it’s] a privilege and blessing to join,” he told the crowd. “I don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking, but believe me, the honour is entirely mine.”
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed that Coogler cast Jonsson six months ago following a clandestine hotel meeting. “He called me afterwards and said, ‘He’s the guy. I felt it. I felt it in my soul. He’s a good man,'” Feige shared, per Empire Magazine.