Ryan Coogler reveals the life-changing advice he received from Chadwick Boseman

"He was like, ‘You keep saying you’re scared. You’re not scared. You’re prepared,’” Coogler recalled Boseman's words

Ryan Coogler is opening up about the profound and lasting impact Chadwick Boseman had on his life, revealing the simple but powerful advice the late actor gave him while they were working together on Black Panther. Speaking during a recent appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, the director reflected on how Boseman helped him push through fear and self-doubt at a pivotal moment in his career.

Coogler admitted that during the making of Black Panther, he often felt overwhelmed by the pressure of directing such a massive Marvel film. Boseman noticed how frequently Coogler verbalized his anxiety and stepped in with a direct piece of guidance. “He told me, ‘Stop saying that you’re scared,’” Coogler recalled. The advice, though brief, had a lasting effect on how he viewed himself as a filmmaker and leader.

The director explained that Boseman helped him understand the power of language and mindset. “He was like, ‘You keep saying you’re scared. You’re not scared. You’re prepared,’” Coogler said, noting that Boseman reframed his nerves as readiness rather than weakness. “That really changed how I talked to myself moving forward.”

Coogler also shared how Boseman reassured him in moments of intense pressure. “He said, ‘You’re not going to get fired for caring this much,’” Coogler recalled, adding that the comment helped ground him during long, demanding days on set. “That was huge for me. It let me breathe.”

Beyond advice, Coogler described Boseman as a steady presence who led with humility and purpose. “He was always present, always grateful,” Coogler said. “He made you feel like what we were doing mattered, but he never made it about himself.”

Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 at age 43 after a private battle with colon cancer, continues to influence those who worked closely with him. For Coogler, the lessons Boseman shared remain deeply personal and enduring. “I carry that with me every day,” he said. “That advice didn’t just make me a better director — it made me a better person.”