Four years after the passing of her *Black Panther* co-star Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o opened up about her ongoing grief and shared why she has yet to rewatch the film. Boseman, who died at 43 from colon cancer, left a profound impact on those who knew him, including Nyong’o, who reflected on their bond during an emotional panel at the BFI London Film Festival on October 14.
“I have to admit, I haven’t seen the film since Chadwick died, so I’m having a moment,” Nyong’o tearfully shared. “Grief is just love with no place to put it. I don’t shy away from the tears; you live with them. The love we had is always there.”
As she watched a clip from the 2018 *Black Panther* film, Nyong’o expressed her mixed emotions. “I watch this clip, and I’m overwhelmed with grief. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop shedding tears for my friend. But we get to see him alive in this, and that’s something truly wonderful.”
Her heartfelt reflection came just two months after she posted a tribute on the fourth anniversary of Boseman’s passing, quoting, “‘Grief never ends, but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It’s the price of love.'”
Nyong’o, now 41, added her own words in the post, simply writing, “Remembering Chadwick Boseman. Forever.”
Boseman’s death in 2020 occurred before filming began on *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*, a loss that greatly influenced the sequel’s tone. Director Ryan Coogler, along with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, confirmed that Boseman’s spirit was ever-present on set. “Ryan wore a necklace with Chad’s picture on it every day during the shoot,” Feige shared. “This film was undeniably a tribute to Chad.”
The cast echoed this sentiment. Angela Bassett, who portrayed Boseman’s mother in the film, recalled how deeply his absence was felt. “I remember sitting in silence, reflecting on the loss of our son, our king,” she told *E! News*. “The reverence we had for him only deepened in his absence. He gave everything, every single day.”
Danai Gurira, who played Okoye, T’Challa’s loyal bodyguard, also found solace in Boseman’s memory during filming. “What helped me heal was keeping his image and memory close. Chad was all about generosity, excellence, and loving each other, and we carried that spirit with us throughout the shoot.”
