Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman may have played archenemies on the blockbuster “Black Panther,” but the actors could not have been closer in real life.
“You are my big brother,” Jordan wrote on Instagram Monday. “Rest In Power Brother.”
Jordan, the Killmonger to Boseman’s Black Panther, shared an emotional social media tribute following the death of Boseman Friday of colon cancer at age 43.
“I’ve been trying to find the words, but nothing comes close to how I feel,” Jordan captioned several images of the duo. “I’ve been reflecting on every moment, every conversation, every laugh, every disagreement, every hug…everything.”
Chadwick Boseman: ‘Black Panther’ star dies of cancer at 43
Jordan repeatedly said he wished he “had more time” with Boseman throughout his tribute. He recalled their last conversations and the inspiration Boseman provided him.
“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,” he wrote. “Whether you’ve known it or not…I’ve been watching, learning and constantly motivated by your greatness.”
Jordan said Boseman’s silent battle with cancer, however, showed how much of a warrior his co-star was in real life. Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, ahead of their filming “Black Panther” (2018) together.
“The thing that hurts the most is that I now understand how much of a legend and hero YOU are,” Jordan wrote.
He continued: “Through it all, you never lost sight of what you loved most. You cared about your family , your friends, your craft, your spirit. You cared about the kids, the community, our culture and humanity. You cared about me. You are my big brother, but I never fully got a chance to tell you, or to truly give you your flowers while you were here.”
Jordan said he’s going to miss Boseman’s “honesty,” “generosity,” “sense of humor” and “incredible gifts.” He added, “I’ll miss the gift of sharing space with you in scenes.”
The actor vowed to live the rest of his life “with grace, courage, and no regrets” as Boseman did. He concluded his tribute by calling Boseman his king.
“‘Is this your king!?’ Yes . he . is!” Jordan wrote.
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Read Jordan’s full tribute to Boseman:
I’ve been trying to find the words, but nothing comes close to how I feel. I’ve been reflecting on every moment, every conversation, every laugh, every disagreement, every hug…everything.
I wish we had more time.
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. 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.
Everything you’ve given the world … the legends and heroes that you’ve shown us we are … will live on forever. But the thing that hurts the most is that I now understand how much of a legend and hero YOU are. Through it all, you never lost sight of what you loved most. You cared about your family , your friends, your craft, your spirit. You cared about the kids, the community, our culture and humanity. You cared about me. You are my big brother, but I never fully got a chance to tell you, or to truly give you your flowers while you were here.
I wish we had more time.
I’m more aware now than ever that time is short with people we love and admire. 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. With grace, courage, and no regrets. “Is this your king!?” Yes . he . is! Rest In Power Brother.
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