Oscar-nominated director Ryan Coogler has opened up about the legendary work ethic of the late Chadwick Boseman, revealing the Black Panther star’s incredible dedication to his iconic role as King T’Challa.
While promoting his upcoming thriller Sinners, Coogler shared that Boseman often stayed in character—Wakandan accent and all—even when cameras weren’t rolling, leaving visiting Disney executives stunned.
“They was freaked out and I was like, ‘Don’t be freaked out, he working man. He don’t turn it off till we wrap,’” Coogler recalled.
The filmmaker said that kind of discipline was what made Boseman special, and it resonated deeply with both him and Black Panther co-star Michael B. Jordan.
“He Moved at an Old-School Pace”
“Out of all of my actors, Chad’s death actually hit Mike (Jordan) the hardest,” Coogler said. “He carried himself like an old school man’s man. He was a fully baked man from the South.”
Boseman, who passed away in 2020 after a private battle with colon cancer, left behind a legacy not only on screen but among those who worked closely with him.
“He was the kind of teacher who you never knew you was getting a lesson when he taught,” said Coogler. “It was all by example, and what he gave me and Michael was patience.”
That lasting impact continues to guide Coogler and Jordan in their creative journey—especially as they reunite for Sinners, a dark, emotional thriller that sees Jordan playing dual roles as estranged twin brothers confronting family secrets in their rural hometown.
A Legacy That Still Guides
Coogler said he still draws inspiration from Boseman’s mindset:
“He moved at an old-school pace, and he took his time, but he was always early. He was that type of dude.”
“And Mike will tell you this—I told him, man, I said, ‘Hey bro, what would Chad do in this role? If he had this role, what would he do?’ ‘Cause Chad never broke action.’”
Boseman’s impact, according to Coogler, was transformative: “What he gave me and Michael was patience. It changed our lives.”
About ‘Sinners’
Sinners marks the fifth collaboration between Coogler and Jordan, following hits like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film is set to premiere in theaters on April 18, and early buzz suggests another standout performance from Jordan—one that, according to Coogler, is infused with the spirit and lessons of Boseman.
