Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman
The Iron Man actors appeared virtually at the December 6 presentation, which took place less than four months after Boseman tragically lost his life following a secret battle with colon cancer. “The second you first saw him onscreen or had the opportunity to meet him in person, his energy and intensity was undeniable,” Downey Jr. said. “There was something different and special about Chadwick Boseman.”
“Each time he stepped on the set he inspired and influenced everyone there. And with every role he created a new legion of fans,” added Cheadle. “He had an incredible power to unify people in their love for his work, in their respect for him as a person. The way he lived his life united people for a higher purpose, and that will be his legacy.”
The Hero For the Ages award was designed for an actor whose onscreen heroism is surpassed by the real-life hero they truly are. Days before the 2020 awards show aired, MTV announced Boseman would be the category’s inaugural winner. This year the show itself honoured and paid homage to the “Greatest of All Time” moments and people in TV and film, and given the tributes that poured in following Boseman’s unexpected death, the announcement definitely set a mood.
“The Avengers have all been given an opportunity to portray characters that are meaningful and hopefully memorable,” continued Downey Jr. “Mr. Boseman truly embodied what it meant to be a super hero. His impact as a ground-breaking leading man, as an icon on screen. It won’t be quantified by the box office records he broke but by the legions of fans who will celebrate him for many years to come
.”Cheadle then pointed out that Boseman isn’t just known as Black Panther, but as a man who “painted incredibly powerful portrayals of iconic and influential real men who changed the world.” He pointed to Thurgood Marshall, James Brown and Jackie Robinson as examples. “He brought humanity and truth to the portrayal of people that felt larger than life. And he did it in a way that honoured their memories,” Cheadle added.
“And he wasn’t just a hero onscreen,” said Downey Jr. “His list of selfless and inspirational acts and deeds is too long to recount here, consistently showing up during trial and triumph for family, friends and fans alike. Some of whom were battling the same invisible enemy. He was the most heroic when just being Chad. That’s when he was bigger than anyone he played onscreen.”
Boseman was just 43 years old when he passed away in August. He became a household name after taking on the leading role in Black Panther, a role that has yet to be recast for the sequel. But during his short career he also made a big impact on fans with movies like 42, Get On Up, Marshall, and most recently in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom alongside Viola Davis. The film has been making headlines with critics and movie watchers for weeks ahead of its December 18 debut on Netflix, and is considered to be a big contender at the upcoming Oscars.
Considering that, nobody should be surprised when Boseman is posthumously awarded several more honours in the new year.
Before you go: ‘Black Panther 2’ won’t use a CGI Chadwick Boseman
[video_embed id='2078160']Before you go: ‘Black Panther 2’ won’t use a CGI Chadwick Boseman[/video_embed]
