Marvel has said it won’t be using a digital double of the late Chadwick Boseman for Black Panther 2, saying ‘our king has died in real life’.
In a recent interview with Clarin, Marvel Studios Executive Vice President of Production Victoria Alonso was asked about the possibility of digitally recreating Boseman’s likeness for the forthcoming sequel.
It was something she immediately ruled out, saying: “No. There is only one Chadwick, and he is not with us.
“Our king, unfortunately, has died in real life, not just in fiction, and we are taking a little time to see how we continue the story and what we do to honour this chapter of what has happened to us that was so unexpected, so painful, so terrible, really.“
Paying tribute to Boseman, Alonso continued: “Chadwick was not only a wonderful human being every day for the five years that we spent together, but it also seems to me that what he did as the character elevated us as a company, and left his mark in history.“
After winning fans over as King T’Challa in 2018’s Black Panther, which was a huge success at the box office and received seven Oscar nominations, 43-year-old Boseman was set to star in its sequel, which was due to be released in 2022.
However, he sadly died in August following a four-year battle with cancer, having never spoken publicly about his diagnosis.
Confirming his death in a statement, his family said: “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage IV.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.
“It was the honour of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
Boseman’s Black Panther co-star Letitia Wright has also echoed Marvel’s reluctance to try and recreate or replace the star for the franchise.
In fact, even the thought of reprising her role as Shuri in the film remains difficult.
“We’re just still mourning Chad, so it’s not something I even want to think about,” she told Net-A-Porter last month.
“The thought of doing it without him is kinda strange. We’re just grieving at the moment, so it’s trying to find the light in the midst of it.”
Boseman’s Black Panther co-star Letitia Wright has also echoed Marvel’s reluctance to try and recreate or replace the star for the franchise.
In fact, even the thought of reprising her role as Shuri in the film remains difficult.
“We’re just still mourning Chad, so it’s not something I even want to think about,” she told Net-A-Porter last month.
“The thought of doing it without him is kinda strange. We’re just grieving at the moment, so it’s trying to find the light in the midst of it.”
