Disney Freaked Out by Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther Accent

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Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther, shares that Chadwick Boseman, the actor portraying Wakanda’s king T’Challa/Black Panther, managed to keep his character alive throughout the 2018 movie’s production. Not only was Boseman deeply invested in the role, but he also consistently used the African accent of his character, which seemed strange and unsettling to some Disney executives who occasionally visited the set for supervision. They found it disconcerting that the actor continued speaking with his character’s accent even when the cameras were not rolling.

Coogler discussed Boseman during his interview on “The Breakfast Club”, a radio show hosted by Charlamagne tha God and others. Besides promoting his latest movie, “Sinners”, he also talked about reuniting with Michael B. Jordan in this film after collaborating with him in projects like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and “Creed”. Coogler emphasized the significant impact and legacy that Boseman had on both him and Jordan when talking about the late actor. As Coogler put it, “Boseman was a fully-formed man from the South. He was an old-school gentleman, and compared to us when we worked together, he seemed like a seasoned pro.

Among all the actors, Chad’s passing affected Mike Jordan the most profoundly. He was the type of mentor whose teachings were subtly imparted, often through his actions rather than words. The lessons we learned from him, including myself and Michael, were rooted in patience.

As a film critic, I was deeply moved by the director’s heartfelt tribute to Chadwick Boseman during the making of “Black Panther.” Despite tragically losing him to cancer in 2020, Boseman left an indelible mark on everyone involved. His unwavering work ethic and dedication were truly inspiring, and this was evident throughout the film’s production as he spoke with an authentic African accent. The director’s admiration for him shone through in every frame of the Marvel Studios masterpiece, making it a fitting tribute to Boseman’s memory and an unforgettable cinematic experience.

He moved with a classic, unhurried rhythm, yet consistently arrived ahead of schedule. That was his style, and if you asked Mike, he’d confirm it. I once wondered aloud, ‘Hey bro, how would Chad handle this job? If Chad were in this position, what would he do?’ Because Chad never skipped a beat.

In a casual and straightforward rephrasing: He spoke with an African-influenced accent. I recall when Disney executives visited us during the second week of Black Panther filming, they were surprised to hear it. But I reassured them, “Don’t be alarmed; he’s just a hardworking man who doesn’t switch off his accent until we finish shooting.” There was no hint of embarrassment or shame in his actions.

‘Black Panther 3’ Is Coming, but Will T’Challa Be Recast?

During the interview, when asked about potentially recasting T’Challa for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I (the director) diplomatically steered the conversation elsewhere with a “we’ll discuss that another time.” The host, however, cleverly brought up the multiverse as a potential solution to recast the character without disrupting continuity. I couldn’t help but smile at the prospect.

It’s nearly certain that there will be another installment in the Black Panther series, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that T’Challa must return as a character through recasting. The success of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where Letitia Wright’s Shuri took center stage and exceeded expectations for many, shows that the story can continue effectively without T’Challa. So, it’s possible that a similar approach could work again in the future.

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2025-04-10 19:04