MovieChat Forums > Black Panther (2018) Discussion > Did Marvel/Disney know about Chadwick Bo...

Did Marvel/Disney know about Chadwick Boseman's cancer diagnosis?

posted 4 years ago by TMC-4 (20494)
15 replies | jump to latest

If I have my facts straight, he was cast in 2014 just before he was diagnosed and then filmed all the movies while undergoing treatment. Actors have to undergo physicals for movies in order to get insurance and protect their investment. I mean outside of actual insurance/physicals, isn't it probably very much a contractual obligation to inform the studio in such circumstances to have a chance to cancel/recast if it's too big a risk?

[–] wrlord (1227) 4 years ago

I was just wondering about that. I'd be shocked if they went forward knowing how sick he was.

[–] Forky (1739) 4 years ago

no

BP filmed in 2015

he wasnt even diagnosed until 2016

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

It was actually filmed in 2017. CW was filmed in 2015.

[–] Forky (1739) 4 years ago

duh! my bad

[–] Cristianos (303) 4 years ago

He was signed as Black Panther for a five-movie contract in 2014, which was before his cancer diagnosis two years later. He had one movie left on his contract which was Black Panther II. I'm pretty sure Disney and Marvel have to had known about his declining health as early as late 2019.

That said, the sequel was speculated to take the February 2021 release date, but it was officially announced it would be released in May 2022. I'm not certain Boseman's health caused any delay, but I thought Ryan Coogler needed more time to create a compelling story.

[–] TMC-4 (20494) 4 years ago

It kind of makes sense now considering that Marvel was cagey about why the next BP was still in pre-production and when the next installment would be released.

[–] Cristianos (303) 4 years ago

You know what, after reading about how actors are usually insured before filming, they had to have known before Black Panther was about to be filmed that he had cancer. So, they worked around his schedule to ensure he completed filming his scenes and got chemo therapy to treat his cancer.

[–] ecarle (14979) 4 years ago

..and any plans for production have now been delayed by COVID-19. They likely knew at some point he could never make this project.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

What if they didn't? Should we dig him up and yell at him?

[–] bozo_500 (13392) 4 years ago

I doubt the studio would know for Civil War.. as for BP/IW/EG I guess they must've known .. and when they found out I guess everyone would've just been assuming a positive outcome..

[–] HarlemEagle42 (18433) 4 years ago

Would they continue on with a direct sequel? It seems in bad taste.

[–] TheArgentinian (7251) 4 years ago

Every actor gets checked for the insurance before filming.

[–] TMC-4 (20494) 4 years ago

What if Chadwick Boseman had gotten too sick to work in the middle of the very high budget MCU movies? Wouldn't the studio lose millions having to recast and reshoot his part?

[–] TheArgentinian (7251) 4 years ago

Yes.

Do you know the story of John Cazale and The Deer Hunter? Check the wiki page for the movie

[–] PaladinNJ (21784) 4 years ago

It does happen. In his final film Raul Julia did not reveal his illness and the studio didn't have insurance on him. It cost them millions when he died. Don't quote me on this but I believe the project was shelved. I'm sure studios are more careful now