‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman dies at 42

Actor Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer at the age of 42.

On his Instagram, his team confirmed his death, writing with “immeasurable grief” that he had died in his home with his family by his side.

“Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV,” the statement read, in part.?“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. ??It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”

Boseman’s portray of T’Challa in the film “Black Panther” was heralded as the marking of a cosmic shift in Hollywood. The 18th movie in the Marvel universe, it featured characters of all color and an African king with technological war power but also mystical strength.

It was the first Marvel film to feature a largely Black cast and crew, including Lupita Nyongo, Forest Whittaker and Michael B. Jordan.

In an interview with TODAY in 2018, he said he believed there was a "thirst" for Black superheroes.

"I think there's a thirst for these images, there's a thirst for a Black superhero," he said. "As far as my character goes, there's a real search for 'how do I lead?' I think people are searching for that, leaders that actually care about the people.

Boseman also portrayed Jackie Robinson in “42” and James Brown in “Get on Up.”