ABC to Air 'Black Panther' as Part of Tribute to Late Actor Chadwick Boseman

The world is currently mourning the loss of Chadwick Boseman, the actor who recently lost his four-year battle with stage IV colon cancer, at the age of 43.

The heartbreaking news of Boseman's death was shared by his family through the star's official Instagram account, along with a black-and-white photo of him smiling.

Now, two days after his passing, ABC News, ABC Entertainment, and Marvel Studios are bringing Boseman's most famous role to the smaller screen for the first time.

WHEN WILL IT AIR

On Sunday, August 30, ABC will air the film "Black Panther" totally free of commercials at 8:00 p.m. EDT and PDT | 7:00 CDT. However, that is not the only way ABC has chosen to honor the actor's life.

After the film, at 10:20 p.m. EDT and PDT | 7:00, the network will broadcast an ABC News special titled "Chadwick Boseman - A Tribute for a King."

It has been reported that the special will focus on the late star's life, career, and accomplishments, as well as the deep impact he had on and off-screen.

Despite his health issues and struggles, Boseman managed to bring joy and laughter to fans around the world

REMEMBERING BOSEMAN

During the special, several celebrities are expected to make an appearance and talk about Boseman, not only as colleagues but also as close friends who knew him better than anyone else.

The title of the special is a reference to T'Challa, the character Boseman brought to life in "Black Panther," who returns to his homeland after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda.

HIDING THE PAIN

Boseman's death caught the world by surprise since the actor chose to keep his illness a secret throughout the years. According to his family, Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016.

Still, despite his health issues and struggles, Boseman managed to bring joy and laughter to fans around the world by continuing to work on a daily basis and visiting young children with cancer at hospitals.

Boseman was a true hero, on and off-screen, as explained by Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland, who took to social media to honor their friend's memory.

Holland described Boseman as a role model, not only for him but for millions of people around the world, all while sharing a special photo of the 43-year-old surprising a smiling fan.