Disney Honors Chadwick Boseman on 44th Birthday

Chadwick Boseman would have celebrated his 44th birthday on Sunday (Nov. 29). Disney paid tribute to the award-winning star by adding a new opening credits sequence to Marvel’s Black Panther on its streaming platform Disney+. 

“Long live the King. #WakandaForever,” Marvel Studios posted on Twitter alongside the new opening credits that show Boseman as Black Panther.

The beloved actor died in August at the age of 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer. The tragic news was confirmed via the actor’s official Instagram.

RELATED: Chadwick Boseman Dead At 43: ‘Black Panther’ And Jackie Robinson Actor Battled Colon Cancer

“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” the post reads. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. ⁣A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.”⁣

Boseman also portrayed Black Panther in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. On Sunday (Nov. 29) co-star Mark Ruffalo shared a throwback video on his Instagram of the Infinity War cast singing “Happy Birthday” to Boseman on the set in 2017.   

“Thinking of your passion, love, and your light today, @ChadwickBoseman,” wrote Ruffalo, who played Bruce Banner/the Hulk in several Marvel films. “Happy Birthday. Wishing we could time travel back to this moment.” 

Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan shared a photo on Instagram of him and Boseman  hugging, writing, “Continue watching over us King. Happy Birthday . Miss you.” 

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o also paid tribute to her Black Panther co-star on his birthday, writing, “Deeply loved, sorely missed. #ChadwickBoseman.” 

Viola Davis, who stars with Boseman in his final film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, honored the artist in a sweet post on social media. 

“Happy birthday in Heaven, Chadwick!” she wrote on Instagram. “You are still so alive to me!! I love you.”

Disney chairman Bob Iger teased the arrival of the new Marvel-branded Black Panther credits on Saturday, writing, “To all fans of #BlackPanther: watch the film on #DisneyPlus late tonight, for a special tribute to someone that was and will always be near and dear to our hearts.

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that shooting for Black Panther 2 is scheduled to begin in July 2021.