Tag: Chadwick Boseman

  • Riz Ahmed is the first Muslim to bag ‘Best Actor’ nomination at Oscars

    Riz Ahmed is the first Muslim to bag ‘Best Actor’ nomination at Oscars

    Riz Ahmed, who played the role of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing in the Sound of Metal charted history by becoming the first Muslim to be nominated in the leading actor category at the Academy Awards.

    This is also for the first time that two Asian actors have been nominated in the Best Actor category. Nine of the 20 acting nods went to non-white performers, including Riz and a South Korean Yuh-Jung Youn of Minari, in what Variety Magazine described as the most diverse acting Oscars slate ever.

    Sharing his excitement on social media, Riza said: “Wow! I’m honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances, and am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement.”

    “I’m equally thrilled for our visionary writer-director Darius Marder and the brilliant Paul Raci As well as our editor Mikkel, sound designer Nicolas, and co-writer Abe Marder,” he added.

    “These nominations represent the time, generosity and talents of so many — all of our incredible cast, crew, producers,” said the actor further. “Sound of Metal is about how a health crisis can cut you off from your life and loved ones, and force you to grow in unexpected ways. In a challenging year for so many, I hope this story can inspire us to forge new and deeper connections with ourselves and others.”

    “And in particular I’d like to thank my mentors in the drumming, addiction recovery, and D/dead communities” Riz concluded.

    Meanwhile, six nods each were earned by the other best picture contenders The Father, Black Panther story Judas and the Black Messiah, Korean-language drama Minari, Nomadland, #MeToo revenge tale Promising Young Woman, 1960s Vietnam War courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Amazon Studio’s deaf drama Sound of Metal.

    The late Chadwick Boseman also got a first Oscar nod for his final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

    The nominations were announced from London by presenters Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast on April 25. The film academy said Monday that the show will be held at both its usual home, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and the city’s railway hub, Union Station.

    This year’s awards season — typically a month-long circuit of screenings, cocktail parties and schmoozing — has been entirely virtual, taking much of the buzz and predictability out of the Oscars. Eligibility was extended to early 2021 releases and to movies that bypassed theatres.

  • ‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman passes away at 43

    ‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman passes away at 43

    Chadwick Boseman, who played Black American icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown with searing intensity before inspiring audiences worldwide as the regal Black Panther in Marvel’s blockbuster movie franchise, died Friday of cancer. He was 43.

    Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told media outlets. He is survived by his wife and a parent and had no children.

    Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement. The actor had not publicly discussed his condition and continued to work on major Hollywood productions.

    “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said. “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 honour of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”

    Expressions of shock and despair poured in late Friday from fellow actors, athletes, musicians, Hollywood titans, fans and politicians. Several Pakistani actors including Ushna Shah and Ali Rehman Khan also mourned his demise.

    https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/1299550103221555200?s=20

    Journey to Stardom

    It took some time for Boseman’s moment to come. Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small roles in television – on TV shows like ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights and NBC’s Persons Unknown – before his first star turn in 2013. His striking portrayal of the stoic baseball star Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in 2013′s 42 drew attention in Hollywood and made him a star. A year later, he wowed audiences as Brown in the biopic Get On Up.

    Boseman’s T’Challa character was first introduced to the blockbuster Marvel movies in 2016′s Captain America: Civil War and his “Wakanda Forever” salute reverberated around the world after the release of Black Panther two years ago.

    “I don’t think the world was ready for a ‘Black Panther’ movie before this moment. Socially and politically, it wasn’t ready for it,” he told AP at the time.

    The film’s vision of Afrofuturism and the technologically advanced civilization of Wakanda resonated with audiences, some of whom wore African attire to showings and helped propel Black Panther to more than $1.3 billion in the global box office. It is the only Marvel Studios film to receive a best picture Oscar nomination.

    The character was last seen standing silently dressed in a black suit at Tony Stark’s funeral in last year’s Avengers: Endgame. A Black Panther sequel had been announced and was one of the studio’s most anticipated upcoming films.