Ryan Coogler Says Chadwick Boseman Stunned Disney Execs with His Commitment to T’Challa Role
Ryan Coogler is shedding new light on just how committed late actor Chadwick Boseman was to bringing King T’Challa to life—so much so that it even freaked out Disney executives.
While out promoting his upcoming vampire flick “Sinners,” the Oscar-nominated director revealed that Boseman would often stay in character throughout filming—even when the cameras weren’t rolling.
“They was freaked out and I was like, 'Don't be freaked out, he working man. He don't turn it off till we wrap,'” Coogler recalled, referencing a moment when a Disney executive visited the set and was surprised to find Boseman still speaking in T’Challa’s signature Wakandan accent.
Coogler explained that that was just one example of how the late actor approached his work with incredible discipline and patience—qualities the filmmakers say left a lasting impression on both him and fellow “Black Panther” star Michael B. Jordan.
“Out of all of my actors, Chad's death actually hit Mike (Jordan) the hardest,” Coogler shared, adding that Boseman, who died in 2020 at age 43 following a private battle with colon cancer, carried himself like an “old school man’s man” nodding to Boseman’s South Carolina roots.
“He was a fully baked man from the South,” Coogler said. “He was an old school man's man, and compared to that dude when we worked together, bro, me and Mike was kids.”
More than anything, Coogler said the “21 Bridges” star led by example — teaching lessons without even realizing it. “He was the kind of teacher who you never knew you was getting a lesson when he taught,” he explained. “It was all by example, and what he gave me and Michael was patience.”
Coogler noted that the same mindset continues to guide him, as well as Jordan, as they reunite for their latest project, “Sinners,” a thriller about twin brothers (both played by Jordan) returning to their hometown to confront their past.
“He moved at an old-school pace, and he took his time, but he was always early. He was that type of dude,” Coogler added. “And Mike will tell you this, I told him, man, I said, 'Hey bro, what would Chad do in this role? If he had this role, what would he do?' 'Cause Chad never broke action.’”
“What he gave me and Michael was patience,” Coogler said. “It changed our lives.”
“Sinners” marks Coogler and Jordan’s fifth project together following the sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The film hits theaters on April 18.
