What If...? Animation Supervisor Gets Candid About Animating Chadwick Boseman's Final Project - Exclusive
In 2020, the world lost a hero in Chadwick Boseman — and not just because he played one in the MCU. Boseman's kindness and empathy are legendary in all of the heartwarming stories his fellow castmates, like Winston Duke, recall about the "Black Panther" actor.
But it's not just fellow castmates deeply impacted by the work they did alongside Boseman. Marvel's "What If...?" creators have ample stories to tell about Chadwick Boseman, who tragically died from pancreatic cancer. When they began working with Boseman on "What If...?", the creators had no idea that it would turn out to be his final project. And while that weight wasn't something they knew at the time, everyone involved with the project only has lovely things to say about their friend and coworker.
During an exclusive interview with Looper, "What If...?" animation supervisor Stephan Franck got candid on what it was like animating Chadwick Boseman's final project.
The legacy of Chadwick Boseman
On how he feels about the final animation for Chadwick Boseman's version of Star-Lord and if he would you change anything about the animation, Franck said, "No, I love it." He added, "But all I can tell you is that at the time of his passing is when these scenes were being animated, so there was obviously a very emotional resonance and a sense of honor. But also, the humility and just hoping to do him justice."
As fans of the series can attest, Boseman's appearance as Star-Lord highlights the kind and regal of not on T'Challa, but the actor himself. Franck mirrored that sentiment, noting, "Based on the responses that we get from everybody, and even people who knew him well. That's all I'm going to say, but it was a huge honor, a huge responsibility also." Wherever you are, raise a glass for Boseman.
Fans can tune into new episodes of "What If...?" streaming Wednesdays on Disney+.