Chadwick Aaron Boseman, an American actor, and playwright was born on November 29, 1976, and passed away on August 28, 2020, due to complications of colon cancer. Boseman was best known for his portrayal of Black Panther. With this, he also broke barriers in bringing black historical figures alive in Hollywood. But one thing most of his fans might not know is how kind Boseman actually was.
In the film, “21 Bridges” Chadwick Boseman decided to give a portion of his own salary to his co-star Sienna Miller when the studio refused to make a compromise to match her demands.
Boseman’s Genuine Kindness
Sienna Miller has commended late actor Chadwick Boseman for contributing a portion of his salary to help her on the film 21 Bridges.
Everybody understands about the pay disparity in Hollywood, but I asked for a number that the studio wouldn’t get to. And Chadwick ended up donating some of his salaries to get me to the number I had asked for. He said that that was what I deserved to be paid.
Sienna Miller
Boseman, who unfortunately died of colon cancer earlier in 2020, was one of the film’s producers and had approached Miller about playing the role of Frankie Burns.
He was a fan of my work, which was thrilling because it was reciprocated from me to him tenfold. So he approached me to do it, he offered me this film, and it was when I didn’t want to work anymore. I’d been working non-stop, and I was exhausted, but then I wanted to work with him. And because I was hesitant to go back to work and my daughter was starting school, and it was an inconvenient time, I said, ‘I’ll do it if I’m compensated in the right way.
Sienna Miller
According to Miller, Boseman’s actions were unprecedented in the film industry.
It was about the most astounding thing I’ve experienced. That kind of thing doesn’t happen. He said, ‘You’re getting paid what you deserve and worth.’ It’s unfathomable to imagine another man in that town behaving that graciously or respectfully.
Sienna Miller
In the aftermath of this, I’ve told other male actor friends of mine that story, and they all go very, very quiet and go home and probably have to sit and think about things for a while. But there was no showiness; it was, ‘Of course, I’ll get you to that number because that’s what you should be paid.’
Sienna Miller
Miller said she wasn’t sure whether to tell the story at first but then decided she would because it was a true testament to who Boseman was as a person. (Source: BBC Entertainment)
The Box Office Hit; 21 Bridges
The film 21 Bridges grossed $28.5 million in the US and Canada, and $21.4 million in other markets, for a worldwide total of $49.9 million on a $33 million production budget.
In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Frozen II, and was projected to gross $10 to 12 million from 2,655 theaters in its opening weekend.
The film made $3.3 million on its first day, including $770,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $9.3 million, finishing fourth at the box office. (Source: Box Office)