Chadwick Boseman is nothing if not a fantastic actor.
Hoards of comic book fan boys and girls marvelled at his skill and flair in portraying T’Challa, the King of Wakanda in Black Panther.
You can see why in the trailer below:
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But the actor, who also played James Brown in Get on Up, has explained how a mysterious benefactor had a leading role in his success.
As it turns out, Oscar-winner Denzel Washington paid part of his tuition through a scholarship programme while he took a summer class studying drama at Oxford University.
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, he explained:
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Boseman said:
I’ve basically been holding this secret my whole career.
When I came back, I got a beneficiary letter and it said Denzel Washington paid for you.
Speaking to Rolling Stone about Washington’s gift in February, Boseman added:
I’m sure he has no idea. It was random.
I couldn’t wait to write my thank you letter! I’ve been waiting to meet him, so I can tell him.
Luckily enough, Boseman got his chance, telling Fallon Washington had the best response to the story.
When the two actors met finally, Washington joked with Boseman, saying:
Oh, so that’s why I’m here – you owe me money! I came to collect!
It seems Washington, a nine-time Oscar nominee, backed a marvellous winner.
With a rare 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics are calling Black Panther a triumph.
The rave reviews are reflected in the pre-sale tickets which outstripped Captain America: Civil War as ticketing site Fandango’s best-selling Marvel title in the first 24 hours.
It’s hardly surprising, considering Black Panther was voted one of the year’s top two most anticipated movies, ranking second only to Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War.
Now, step aside. There’s a new hero in town:
Boseman has been featured on the front cover of TIME, America’s most prestigious magazine publication to talk Black Panther and equal representation.
Based on Jack Kirby’s 1966 comic, the movie is a long overdue celebration of African culture, heritage and heroes featuring Marvel’s first ever predominantly black cast.
For decades there’s been a significant lack of representation in all cinema – not just the superhero genre – and Black Panther goes some way to mark how Hollywood can address the imbalance.
It’s a cause close to Washington’s heart.
Washington most recently starred in the legal drama film Roman J. Israel, Esq., with a performance praised by critics and deserving of its nominations for a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Academy Award.
Boseman will take to the silver screen as T’Challa once again for the Marvel’s big showdown, Avengers: Infinity War which opens everywhere on April 27.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.