‘Black Panther’ costar Angela Bassett pays heartbreaking tribute to on-screen son Chadwick Boseman

Angela Bassett, who played Queen Ramonda and mother to Black Panther, has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her on-screen son Chadwick Boseman.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Angela shared that her and Chadwick’s story began long before “Black Panther” came to cinemas in 2018. 

“It was meant to be for Chadwick and me to be connected, for us to be family,” the actress wrote.

“During the premiere party for Black Panther, Chadwick reminded me of something. He whispered that when I received my honorary degree from Howard University, his alma mater, he was the student assigned to escort me that day. And here we were, years later as friends and colleagues, enjoying the most glorious night ever!” she said.

After their fateful meeting years back, Angela and Chadwick continued to rehearse together as mother and son.

“I am honored that we enjoyed that full circle experience,” she said. “This young man’s dedication was awe-inspiring, his smile contagious, his talent unreal. So I pay tribute to a beautiful spirit, a consummate artist, a soulful brother.”

She added: “‘Thou aren’t not dead but flown afar ...’ All you possessed, Chadwick, you freely gave. Rest now, sweet prince.”

Aside from Angela, numerous fans and colleagues of Chadwick from Marvel Studios expressed their grief and offered their condolences. 

Chadwick died Aug. 29 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Although he was diagnosed in 2016 with Stage 3 colon cancer that gradually progressed to Stage 4, it didn’t stop him from joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Black Panther in the same year.

He went on to star in his own blockbuster Marvel film 2 years later.

The “Black Panther” star also joined “Avengers: Infinity War” in 2018 and “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.

Chadwick was supposed to reprise his role as Black Panther in its sequel movie slated for 2022. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News