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  • 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.

  • 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: Okay, 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.

  • Yibambe!

  • Yibambe!

  • Yibambe!

  • 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.

  • Wakanda forever!

  • 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.

  • 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, actually, what is it ... 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.

  • [You will always be our king.]

It was Chadwick Boseman's performance in 42 that really made us take a second look.

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