Most Hollywood productions already face unique challenges due to the global coronavirus pandemic, but Marvel’s highly anticipated sequel to 2018’s Black Panther has an extra challenge to take on after franchise star Chadwick Boseman passed away.
Deadline reports that Marvel Studios, the production company behind the Black Panther franchise, has at least answered one question about the sequel. According to executive producer Victoria Alonso, the studio will not be using a digital double to replace Boseman.
The publication quotes Alonso as saying that there is “only one Chadwick” and that they are taking their time as to what direction the sequel will take now that Boseman has died. Alonso also praised Boseman, saying that his performance elevated the company and that they would do their best to honor the franchise.
Fans have previously floated the idea of Letitia Wright taking on the role of the Black Panther, especially since the character she portrays, Shuri, does the same in the comic books. However, Wright says this is something she has not thought about as of yet.
In an interview with Porter, she says that she is still mourning Boseman and that the thought of doing the sequel without him is something she finds “strange.” The actress added that she and the rest of the Black Panther crew are just trying to find the bright side to Boseman’s passing.
Boseman’s passing certainly affected a lot of the entertainment industry, with tributes and accolades still pouring in. Just recently, Boseman’s performance in Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was nominated for best actor at the Gotham Awards.
Boseman is nominated alongside Jude Law for The Nest, Jesse Plemons for I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and Riz Ahmed for The Sound of Metal.
Stories of his wisdom and kindness also continue to pour in, like actress Sienna Miller’s account that Boseman gave up part of his salary so she could get the amount that she was asking for from the studio.
According to Miller, she was hesitant to do the film 21 Bridges with Boseman since her daughter would be in school by the time the movie started filming. When the studio refused to meet the amount she wanted to do the film, Boseman stepped up and ensured she would get her asking price.
Other tributes came from Boseman’s Black Panther co-stars like Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan. Nyong’o said Boseman had an “immortal” energy inside him and that he brought “great hope” with him.
On the other hand, Jordan said Boseman was like a brother to him and promised on his Instagram account that he would continue Boseman’s legacy.
The private memorial held for Boseman was also attended by Nyong’o and Jordan together with their fellow Black Panther co-star, Winston Duke.