Chadwick Boseman’s untimely demise had deeply saddened moviegoers worldwide. The 21 Bridges actor gained global recognition through his role as the Wakandan King, T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther. Yet, Boseman was an actor with a remarkable range, effortlessly transitioning from a superhero to an American soldier in Vietnam and even a trumpet player.
On several occasions, Boseman expressed his desire to explore a wide genre of films to fulfill his potential as an artist. Regrettably, many such roles will remain unfulfilled. Here is a list of a few non-superhero films that had the privilege of featuring this heroic actor.
1. Get On Up (2014)
Besides his superhero stint, some of the greatest roles in Chadwick Boseman’s life came from playing real-life characters. In this 2014 film, the Captain America: Civil War actor played musician James Brown, who overcame his challenging circumstances to establish himself in the industry. Boseman seamlessly embodied the character, carrying his charisma and energy while also delivering on Brown’s trauma.
Boseman even performed some of the singing and all of the dancing in the movie about the pioneer of Funk music. It was also reported that he resorted to method-acting, staying in character even between takes. Get On Up is now available for streaming on Netflix.
2. 42 (2013)
Boseman’s first leading role came in this biopic about baseball legend Jackie Robinson. The Gods of Egypt actor delivered an exceptional performance, capturing the attention of mainstream audiences for the first time. Boseman trained in baseball for five months and spoke with Robinson’s widow to capture the essence of the character, who was the first black player to play in the major leagues.
This movie could have been higher on the list if not for the filmmakers playing it safe with the tragic yet inspiring story. Nonetheless, it’s a film worth keeping on your watchlist, especially for baseball fans. 42 is now available for streaming on Max.
3. Marshall (2017)
One of the most underrated performances in Boseman’s career, Marshall delivers a solid legal drama without delving too deeply into history lessons about the main character, Thurgood Marshall. By this time, Boseman had become the go-to guy for portraying powerful real-life black figures in films. The chemistry between Boseman and co-star Josh Gad gives off the vibes of buddy cop films.
Although some might consider the movie slightly inferior to his other biopics, its entertainment value, which is something fresh for biopics, elevates its position on this list. Marshall is now available for streaming on Netflix.
4. Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Da 5 Bloods was the result of Chadwick Boseman picking up some bucket-list roles outside of the superhero genre. Boseman seized this opportunity to work with director Spike Lee. The war film explores the story of a group of black American soldiers returning to Vietnam after the war to retrieve the body of their squad leader, Norman, played by Boseman. They also have another task to retrieve the gold they buried during the war.
The Netflix film was Chadwick Boseman’s last film released during his lifetime. The ambitious project turned out to be one of the highlights of his career, filled with emotional depth.
5. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
A posthumous release of the acclaimed actor, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom stands neck and neck with Black Panther as his career best. In contrast to his superhero avatar, Chadwick Boseman plays an insecure trumpet player named Levee. Boseman and Viola Davis, who plays blues singer Ma Rainey, deliver electrifying performances as black musicians desperately fighting racism and seeking respect.
Boseman’s Levee makes some questionable choices, adding depth to his flawed character, which audiences appreciate from the humble king of Wakanda. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is now available for streaming on Netflix.
