[MUSIC PLAYING]
It was Chadwick Boseman's performance in "42" that really
made us take a second look.
There is such an honor and dignity to the way
that he played Jackie Robinson that we
knew we needed for the character of T'Challa,
the prince of Wakanda.
Chadwick is an amazing actor who we thought would
fit perfectly with the MCU.
Black Panther himself, ladies and gentlemen,
Mr. Chadwick Boseman.
[CHEERING]
Chadwick, you know, he has a lot of depth.
It was amazing as an audience member to look into his eyes,
and see what's going on.
We must find a way to look after one another
as if we were one single tribe.
A lot of the things about the character
are also true about Chad.
He's very knowledgeable.
He's an athlete, you know, a martial artist.
He's had a lot of experience playing roles
that come with a lot of weight, you know?
So I think he as a person, he as a guy, has a lot of weight
to him.
I think he brings all that stuff to the role.
Not to mention that he's incredibly gifted as an actor
and as a performer, and also as a storyteller in his own right.
I am not king of all people.
I am king of Wakanda.
And it is my responsibility to make sure our people are safe.
Because he is so prepared as an actor,
and because his character is sort of flawless on set,
it forced the other actors who had scenes with him
to kind of raise their game and go,
OK, this guy is not taking anything for granted.
He's really leaving it all out there,
so we have to keep up with him.
What doesn't Chadwick bring to the character?
I mean, he's regal, and grounded,
and he brings a gravitas to it.
So all of this feeds his T'Challa.
And I think he wore the crown with dignity.
(YELLING) Yibambe!
I've known him since I was about like, 17,
so I've known him for a really long time back in New York.
He did the work, obviously.
You know, I just think he did an incredible job
being true to the character.
(YELLING) Wakanda forever!
I had a great time with Chadwick,
just warmth and camaraderie came into it,
of course, with a great deal of respect for his previous work.
So when I looked at him with proud eyes,
you know, they were as mother, and also as comrade
and colleague and Angela.
It is your time to be king.
Chadwick is just a powerhouse.
He really is so talented.
Every single movie he's made, there's
kind of this internal almost nobility.
The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda
for generations.
He's such a soulful actor, and so professional, so present,
it really gives so much to the other person, and he's awesome.
And his presence on set, I think,
kind of raises the stakes a little bit for everybody.
Chadwick is a really smart, interesting, dynamic guy.
And I think he was--
not overwhelmed-- but very surprised
and somewhat taken aback by the amount of love.
It ceased to become just about how well he inhabited
the role and all that stuff.
It's become part of our culture just as a symbol.
[CHEERING]
This welcome is one of the most amazing
things I've ever experienced.
It's fun to watch just what it means to people.
At times, like in my head, I'll be like, well,
what does this do for the world?
Like, is it actually valuable in this climate?
And I have to say yes, it actually is, not
because it makes people escape.
I think when done right, it gives people hope.
I found that it means a lot.
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