‘I wish I got to say goodbye’: Letitia Wright shares heartfelt tribute to Chadwick Boseman

The actress is the latest of the Boseman's Black Panther co-stars to speak about his death

TRIBUTE: Chadwick Boseman (L) and Letitia Wright (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

LETITIA WRIGHT has shared a heartfelt tribute to Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman in the form of a spoken word piece.

The actress who played Black Panther’s sister Shuri in the record-breaking film, posted a video narrated by her words on social media in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Boseman’s death was announced on Saturday. In a statement posted on his Twitter and Instagram accounts, it was revealed that the actor had been diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2016, which then progressed to stage four.

“It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther,” the statement said.

Wright is one of a number Black Panther cast members who have honoured Boseman by sharing with the world what he meant to them.

Michael B Jordan, who played Killmonger in the adaptation of the Marvel comic, described Boseman as his big brother – and adapted a line from Black Panther in his tribute to the star.

“I’m dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did. With grace, courage, and no regrets. ‘Is this your king!? Yes. He. Is,” Jordan wrote on Instagram.

Winston Duke said he was “absolutely devastated” by the loss of Boseman.

“I feel sick…I’m in pain and I can’t believe he’s gone. Chadwick was a lightning rod for me…he gave me direction,” Duke wrote.

HEROIC: Chadwick Boseman (Photo: Karwai Tang)

Danai Gurira, who played the head of the Dora Milaje in Black Panther, said Boseman “made everyone feel loved, heard and seen”.

“He had a heroic spirit, and marched to the beat of his own drum, hence his excellence as an artist and the incredible courage and determination as he faced life’s challenges; while still guiding us all.”

Ryan Coogler who directed the film wrote an extended tribute to the actor who he described as an “anomaly” and “kind and comforting”.

“It is with a heavy heart and a sense of deep gratitude to have ever been in his presence, that I have to reckon with the fact that Chad is an ancestor now. And I know that he will watch over us, until we meet again,” Coogler wrote.

Read Wright’s full tribute below:

“It is written, there is nothing new under the sun. But the sun stood still that morning, refusing to shine. Dark clouds surrounding, confusion setting in. Tears flowing, rivers so deep. I didn’t know this is what I was waking up to, my brother, an angel on earth, departed.

A soul so beautiful, when you walked into a room, there was calm. You always moved with grace and ease. Every time I saw you, the world would be a better place.

Words can’t describe how I feel, how we all feel, that losing you was forced upon us, to accept this as a new reality. I wish I got to say goodbye. I messaged you a couple times, but I thought you were just busy.

I didn’t know you were dealing with so much. But against all the odds, you remained focused on fulfilling your purpose with the time handed to you.

And I’ll never forget the day that I met you, before I got on the plane to L.A. for my first meeting with you. God told me that you were my brother and that I am to love you as such, and I always did, and I always will.  

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But now, my heart is broken.  Searching for old message of exchange, cards filled with your handwriting and memories of you holding my hand as if it was for eternity.

I thought we had more time, and many more years to come, for more laughter and for more moments of me picking on you on set.  Leaning my head on your shoulders in the throne room, as Ryan gave us notes. I thought this would be forever, this hurts.

I’m trusting God to heal all wounds.

It is also written that all things are made new, there is light in the darkness. Streams of living water flow, giving new life. And all that’s left now is for us to allow all the seeds that you’ve planted on the earth to grow, to blossom, to become even more beautiful. You’re forever in my heart.”

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