9 ways the 'Black Panther' cast have paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman

Letitia Wright, who plays T'Challa's sister Shuri in the MCU, showed up to the "Wakanda Forever" premiere wearing a suit that had a similar style to the one Boseman wore at the 2018 Academy Awards.

Wright's outfit still felt unique for her though. While Boseman's suit had an intricate embellishment over the chest and shoulders, the British actor added a crystal harness over the top.

The outfit evoked a similar look, while still giving Wright an impressive style. Of course, she also posed with the obligatory crossed-arms stance that has become synonymous with "Black Panther," Wakanda, and Boseman himself.

The star posted a number of heartfelt pictures of Boseman to her Instagram, including one to her stories with the caption: "I miss hearing your laugh, I always tried to make you smile whenever we saw each other."

The other posts honor Boseman as Wright worked through her own grief, including a shot from one of the "Black Panther" premieres, and an emotional video tribute titled "for my brother."

Angela Bassett plays T'Challa's mother in the MCU, Queen Ramonda, and she put out a touching statement after Chadwick Boseman passed away back in 2020. 

The star recalled how Boseman had actually met her years before as a student because he escorted her around his alma mater, Howard University, when she received her honorary degree.

They both reminisced about the day when working on "Black Panther," recognizing that it was something of a "full-circle experience."

A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett)

In remembering the star himself, Bassett also called him a "beautiful spirit."

She said: "This young man's dedication was awe-inspiring, his smile contagious, his talent unreal. So I pay tribute to a beautiful spirit, a consummate artist, a soulful brother… 'thou aren't not dead but flown afar…'" 

Bassett ended her heartfelt tribute by writing: "All you possessed, Chadwick, you freely gave. Rest now, sweet prince."

Lupita Nyong'o worked closely with Boseman on the first "Black Panther" movie since Nakia has a romantic relationship with T'Challa.

And the actor recently explained that she was inspired by Boseman's widow, Simone Ledward Boseman, for her portrayal of Nakia in "Wakanda Forever."

But the star previously posted a touching reel of her costar interacting with an audience back in 2018, with the caption: "Kept it real. Kept it kind."

A post shared by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo)

The video shows Boseman signing tickets "and shoes" after a screening, and her caption suggests that he always had time to speak to Marvel fans. It's clear they had a great dynamic off-screen as well as on-screen.

Another cast member who has grieved Boseman's passing is Winston Duke, best known for playing the leader of the Jabari tribe in Wakanda, M'Baku.

Duke reposted the video from Lupita Nyong'o to his own feed, and recalled what the late actor was like as a person in the touching caption.

Duke wrote: "This video really captures Chadwick perfectly…he was an incredibly generous and loving human being." 

The actor went on to say: "Always ready to give to the fans because he understood what his works meant to people… what his own personal mission was in life… thank you brother; you are missed."

Michael B. Jordan also worked closely with the star on the first film as the villain, Erik Killmonger, but their friendship ran much deeper than simply as colleagues.

In a now-deleted post on Instagram, Jordan explained that Chadwick "paved the way" for his own career and he strives to be better in the same way Boseman did.

The actor said: "One of the last times we spoke, you said we were forever linked, and now the truth of that means more to me than ever. Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with 'All My Children' when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me."

Jordan added: "You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create legacy. And whether you've known it or not…I've been watching, learning and constantly motivated by your greatness. I wish we had more time. I'm more aware now than ever that time is short with people we love and admire."

The actor ended his tribute by explaining how much he misses Chadwick. 

"I'm gonna miss your honesty, your generosity, your sense of humor, and incredible gifts. I'll miss the gift of sharing space with you in scenes. I'm dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did," he wrote.

When Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams meets Shuri (Letitia Wright) for the first time, she says "to be young, gifted, and Black," which is an iconic quote taken from Lorraine Hansberry's autobiographical play of the same name. 

Chadwick Boseman spoke about the phrase and its importance during his Screen Actors Guild Awards acceptance speech for "Black Panther" back in 2019. So while the phrase is a reference to both Riri and Shuri's talents, it's also a tribute to the late star.

Thorne discussed the line when speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that it honors the actor and the character simultaneously.

She said: "I think it was implicitly understood. Number one, this film is a tribute to the late great Chadwick Boseman and his legacy, not only as a person, an intellect, an actor, and a scholar, but also as T'Challa. So I think that line was also top of mind." 

Thorne added: "The history and the legacy that the phrase evokes is also something that just sort of exists. It's a bit of a cultural undercurrent as a Black individual." 

The star went on to say that it's a key moment for understanding who Riri is. 

She explained: "So when we get a peek at Riri for the first time in her room and you hear her say that phrase, there's definitely an implicit recognition of what her existence in 'Wakanda Forever' and the MCU really means."

Ryan Coogler isn't part of the "Black Panther" cast, but the director is the driving force behind both movies (and his upcoming Wakanda TV project for Disney+).

Coogler worked closely with Chadwick on telling T'Challa's story on the big screen, and he was equally devastated by the actor's loss.

Aside from numerous interviews explaining how it affected him and the cast, Coogler paid homage to his late friend at the various "Wakanda Forever" premieres by wearing a picture of the star attached to a chain.

The director also wore it for Variety's watery photoshoot ahead of the release, clearly showing that the star's legacy means a lot to him.

Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, who plays Dora Milaje warrior Nomble in the MCU, had a truly creative way of honoring the star at the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" premiere as she unveiled a stunning body painting of Boseman on her back. 

The actor and stuntwoman explained on Instagram that the design was "like what my ancestors did to recognize events."

Adams-Ginyard also made sure to thank the artist who came up with the design in the comments, writing: "@artistjodysteele You KILLED it! Thank you for helping me honor my friend in celebratory ancestral fashion."