'Black Panther' producer shares poignant final text from Chadwick Boseman

It has also been revealed that Marvel boss Kevin Feige only learnt of the actor's cancer on the day of his death

Chadwick Boseman died of cancer at the age of 43 on Friday, August 28, 2020. AP

Black Panther producer Nate Moore has given an insight into Chadwick Boseman's caring attitude by revealing the final text he got from the actor.

"It was during lockdown, and we worked together to get a young boy a voice note from T'Challa, as well as a package of toys – no easy feat when we weren't allowed to leave our homes or go to the office," Moore explained to People magazine, referencing Boseman's character in the 2018 Marvel superhero movie.

"But Chad figured out how to make it work because he cared so intently, and in hindsight, so personally."

Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa in Marvel's 'Black Panther'. IMDb

Moore read the magazine Boseman's final text to him. "It broke me, man. But we need to do that for them. People deserve abundant life, special moments. They’ve been through hell battling disease," the message said.

"If we were able to ease their suffering and bring joy for a moment, and hopefully moments [as] he goes through the bags, then we made a difference in his life."

Moore went on to express the poignancy of the final message he received from the star: "Hindsight will tell us that Chad felt that way because he too was battling a disease. But I don’t think that’s true. I think that’s just who he was as a man. A leader and a caregiver first, who accomplished both of those things as a performer and as a regular person."

He added: "Much has been said about his presence when he walked into a room. I’d argue that the intensity of his gaze was also unparalleled ... Because as intense as his gaze was, his smile could light up the sky."

Marvel boss heard of Boseman's cancer battle on the day of his death

Boseman died aged 43 on August 28, after a four-year battle with colon cancer. Since his death, tributes have flooded in for the actor, from his fellow stars and the many fans who admired him around the world.

The American actor decided to keep his battle with cancer a secret, so much so that Marvel boss Kevin Feige did not learn about his illness until the day of his death, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Chadwick Boseman (second from right) with Marvel's late creative leader Stan Lee (third from left) and Marvel's current chief creative officer Kevin Feige (second from left). EPA

The industry publication reported: "Feige received an urgent email regarding Chadwick Boseman, with no further information. Unbeknownst to anyone at the studio, the Black Panther star had been battling colon cancer privately for four-plus years and had taken a sudden turn for the worse. By the time Feige read the message an hour later, Boseman already had died, sending shockwaves through Disney and the tight-knit Marvel Cinematic Universe."

The Reporter's source added that the actor had been convinced he was going to beat his cancer and was planning to start preparing to film the Black Panther sequel from September.

Actor Chadwick Boseman arrives at the premiere of 'Black Panther' in London, Britain. Reuters

Chadwick Boseman arrives at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Reuters

Chadwick Boseman greets fans at the premiere of 'Avengers: Infinity War'. Reuters

Stan Lee poses with Chadwick Boseman at the premiere of 'Black Panther' in Los Angeles, California. Reuters

Chadwick Boseman at the world premiere of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' in Los Angeles. Reuters

Chadwick Boseman embraces Michael B Jordan at the 50th NAACP Image Awards. Reuters

Actor Chadwick Boseman of 'Black Panther' arrives at the 91st Academy Awards. Reuters

Chadwick Boseman poses backstage with his Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture award for 'Black Panther' at the 50th NAACP Image Awards. Reuters

Chadwick Boseman poses backstage at the 2019 American Music Awards. Reuters