Inside Chadwick Boseman And Michael B. Jordan's Relationship
When Black Panther hit theaters in February 2018, the Marvel movie totally changed the game. According to Screenrant, the film broke several box-office records and grossed a whopping $201.7 million during opening weekend. Beyond the dollar signs, Black Panther was pivotal in its contribution to on-screen representation — the film featured a Black superhero as the lead for the first time in the Marvel movie franchise, finally giving tons of kids (and even adults) an MCU star who looked like them on the big screen. That hero was Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa, the King of Wakanda.
Given his on-screen impact, many were heartbroken to learn Boseman passed away at age 43 from cancer. "It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV," read an Instagram announcement on Aug. 28, 2020. "A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much."
While the Marvel character was just one of Boseman's successful roles, the message noted, "It was the honor of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther." Because of this lasting legacy, let's take a closer look at Boseman's relationship with one of his co-stars: Michael B. Jordan, who played Erik Killmonger, T'Challa's cousin. While Jordan's character was the villain, his off-screen bond with Boseman was anything but evil.
Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan took their bond beyond the big screen
In Hollywood, it's not uncommon for co-stars to not get along. On-set cat fights or not-so-subtle shade in interviews always keep movie fans fascinated and the gossip mill running. But that was far from the case for Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther. As Boseman acknowledged in a 2019 birthday post to his pal, "What a journey it's been. Happy birthday, brother. #BlackPantherFam." The two became like family, with their deep care and respect evident everywhere from social media messages to chemistry on the press circuit.
In a February 2018 interview with KISS FM UK, Boseman spoke highly of working with Jordan and the rest of the cast, especially since as the lead, he got to interact with so many people. He said, "It's just fun to come in and play with an all-star team." After Black Panther's SAG Award win in January 2019, Boseman praised his co-stars-turned-friends yet again, writing on Instagram, "'To be young, gifted and black...' There is a place for us. There is a screen for us. Thank you to SAG-AFRTA for the appreciation and celebration of our work."
During a joint MTV News interview in February 2018, Boseman and Jordan spoke about the vision they shared with director Ryan Coogler. Jordan recalled, "If we do this thing right, it could be something that could impact generations to come and that's kind of the approach that we took on it."
'Black Panther' isn't Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan's only on-screen connection
Besides Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan actually starred in the same soap opera — just not at the same time. According to Esquire, Boseman played teen gang member Reggie on All My Children back in 2003, but ultimately got replaced by Jordan.
Over the years, both voiced distaste for the seemingly stereotypical role — with Boseman telling The Wrap in 2019, "I remember going home and thinking, 'Do I say something to them about this? Do I just do it?' And I couldn't just do it. I had to voice my opinions and put my stamp on it." It was reportedly after raising concerns that Boseman got fired and that's when the Creed star came in. Jordan told GQ in 2015 of the role, "I knew that it was a chess move... I learned, I grew as an actor, I worked with professionals, I got paid... And I saw the stereotype, so moving forward I was like, 'Nah, those are the roles I don't want to play.'"
Still, Jordan acknowledged to The Wrap that Boseman speaking up slightly improved their All My Children character, which he then connected to their Marvel movie's impact. Jordan told the outlet, "The work that we're doing on Black Panther is hopefully doing the same thing for the next group of actors that are coming up, just like our predecessors opened up doors and made things easier for us."