Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman believed he would overcome colon cancer, even up to a week before his death.
Boseman passed away on 28 August after a four year battle with the cancer.
“Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV,” the actor’s family said in a statement announcing his death.
“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 honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
Boseman’s death came as a shock to fans and even Marvel executives, as kept his diagnosis secret while filming several blockbuster flicks.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, only a handful of non-family members knew that Boseman was sick, including producing partner Logan Coles, longtime agent Michael Greene, trainer Addison Henderson and 42 director Brian Helgeland — with varying degrees of knowledge about the severity of the actor’s condition.
Despite a rapid weight loss in the last few months as his condition worsened, Boseman also believed he would be in good enough sharp to start preparing for the next Black Panther movie in September. Filming for the much anticipated sequel was expected to start next year.