Michael B. Jordan emotionally accepts American Cinematheque honour, remembers late co-star Chadwick Boseman

Michael B. Jordan received the 39th American Cinematheque Award on November 20 — the same day his late friend and Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman was posthumously honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“I wouldn’t want to share this day, this moment, with anyone else. I’m actually so happy that it happened on the same day. I’ll never forget it,” he reflected on his and Boseman’s shared honour in an interview with Variety at the event’s red carpet.

Jordan accepted the honour from his frequent collaborator Ryan Coogler, who also happens to be the man to direct Boseman as the Marvel superhero.

“Nobody warns you how crazy this is to see your whole career flash before your eyes,” the Sinners star emotionally addressed the audience full of his many peers from the industry.

“He has a power to make magic. He has a power to get to the truth. That all of our humanity is real, that all these constructs that we make — race, identity, citizenship — though deadly, though powerful, are just constructs. Mike shines through that,” Coogler said in his detailed tribute to Jordan.

Other noted personalities also recorded their testimonials praising the 38-year-old actor and producer, in person and otherwise.

Stars like Tessa Thompson, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Mahershala Ali, Daniel Kaluuya, Octavia Spencer, among several others took to the stage to honour Jordan. While Tom Cruise and Angela Bassett spoke at the ceremony via video messages.

Michael B. Jordan concluded his acceptance speech by encouraging aspiring artists to “plant your seeds, find your people, build with them”. While he told those in charge of producing projects to be “bold” and “take the risk” — “These stories matter,” he claimed.