Disney paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman on Thursday with the unveiling of a new mural of the BLACK PANTHER star at Anaheim's Downtown Disney location. The powerful portrait that depicts Boseman and a young fan engaging in the "Wakanda Forever" salute was created by concept artist and former Disney Imagineer Nikkolas Smith.
Boseman passed away on August 28 at age 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. His death sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood as well as the rest of the world, leaving many in a state of disbelief at the thought of losing their chosen king. As T'Challah, the King of Wakanda, Boseman represented a hero who strived for peace above all else and a leader whose desire it was to share his nation's wonders with the world, hoping to create a synergy and partnership among those who believe in a better tomorrow.
The inscription on the mural reads:
“As a former Disney Imagineer, I had the honor of working on a major children’s hospital initiative and Avengers Campus as my final two assignments. Seeing Chadwick’s heart for people in-person, and later discovering his courageous battle with cancer, I was inspired to create this tribute to honor his life and legacy. To us, he was and will always be T’Challa. Long Live The King.”
Disney has yet to comment on how Boseman's passing will affect their plans for a Black Panther sequel, which Ryan Coogler is slated to write and direct. However, seeing as the start to Marvel's upcoming slate of films has recently been pushed to sometime in 2021, which gives the studio plenty of time to weigh their options. For now, many are still reeling from the loss of Chadwick Boseman, myself included. May he rest in power, always.