Black Panther's Michael B. Jordan Pays Tribute To Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman has tragically passed away at the age of 43, after being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016--a diagnosis that he kept private. The actor, who starred in 42, Da 5 Bloods, and Get On Up, was most famous for playing T'Challa, the Black Panther, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Michael B. Jordan, who starred alongside Boseman in the film as the iconic villain Erik Killmonger, has posted a moving tribute to the actor on his Instagram, reflecting on Boseman's legacy and what he has meant to Jordan personally.

"I’ve been trying to find the words, but nothing comes close to how I feel," Jordan says at the opening of his lengthy post. "I’ve been reflecting on every moment, every conversation, every laugh, every disagreement, every hug…everything."

"I wish we had more time."

Jordan recalls a more recent conversation with Boseman, who kept his condition a secret. "One of the last times we spoke, you said we were forever linked, and now the truth of that means more to me than ever," Jordan writes. "Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me. You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create legacy."

The post focuses not just on Boseman's skills as an actor, but who he was as a person. "Everything you’ve given the world…the legends and heroes that you’ve shown us we are…will live on forever," Jordan writes. "But the thing that hurts the most is that I now understand how much of a legend and hero YOU are. Through it all, you never lost sight of what you loved most. You cared about your family , your friends, your craft, your spirit."

"You are my big brother, but I never fully got a chance to tell you, or to truly give you your flowers while you were here," he says.

Jordan only directly references Black Panther once, recalling a scene from the movie where Killmonger mocks T'Challa and the people of Wakanda after beating him in combat. "I’ll miss the gift of sharing space with you in scenes. I’m dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did. With grace, courage, and no regrets. 'Is this your king!?' Yes . he . is! Rest In Power Brother."

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler previously wrote his own tribute to Boseman, calling him "an epic firework display," and making it clear how much he brought to the part.

In the initial statement by Boseman's family announcing the actor's passing, they noted that "It was the honor of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther." The actor's final performance will be in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, coming to Netflix this year, and you can also him in Spike Lee's latest joint, Da 5 Bloods, on the streaming service.

For Black Panther, Boseman won Outstanding Actor at the Black Reel Awards, Outstanding Actor at the NAACP Image Awards, Best Performance in a Movie and Best Hero at the MTV Movie + TV Awards, Favorite Male Movie Star at the People's Choice Awards, and a cast ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.