Before his Black Panther fame, Chadwick Boseman was a rising actor, proving his mettle as an actor in many of his incredible films. The actor has confidently played three real-life people with great conviction over the years in Get On Up, Marshall, and 42. The latter became his breakthrough film which got Hollywood to get up and take notice.
The actor played famed baseball player Jackie Robinson in the latter. The film was directed by Brian Helgeland and his casting director brought in several actors for the role including Boseman. The actor was the second one to go for a read through and he impressed Helgeland big time. He was blown away by the actor’s aura of a great movie star.
Brian Helgeland Instantly Knew Chadwick Boseman Was the One for 42
In the 2010s, Chadwick Boseman starred in his breakthrough role playing Jackie Robinson in 2013’s 42. He played the real-life baseball champ to a T and delivered a captivating performance, detailing his highs and lows. The film’s director Brian Helgeland conducted a casting coup for the role where he screen-tested and had a read-through for many actors for the role.
One of them was Boseman and according to Helgeland, his performance during his read-through blew him away. Helgeland told Variety that his casting director Victoria Thomas brought Boseman in and he knew that he was the one to play Robinson once he saw him. Helgeland was swept away by the movie star aura of the actor as he performed his lines.
The director did not need to convince the studio to cast Boseman in the role as they were also blown away by Boseman’s talent and personality. Despite seeing numerous actors for the role, Helgeland had already decided that Boseman was the one. He said
She brought him in early, he was the second person I saw. He walked in the door, he read, he left. And I said to Vicki ‘A movie star just walked out of the room.’ She said, ‘Yeah, that’s why I brought him in. I mean it wasn’t like I said, ‘Here’s Chad!’ and everyone was like, ‘Great!’ I had to see a lot of people — some that I saw a bit disingenuously because I knew it was going to be Chad. He was just the guy. He was fantastic.
The Chicago Film Critics Association nominated him for the Most Promising Actor award for his incredible performance in the film. The role was his breakthrough performance that expanded his horizons in the industry. 42, which also starred Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, André Holland, Lucas Black, and Hamish Linklater, was highly praised and grossed $97 million against a $40 million production budget (via Box Office Mojo).
Harrison Ford Praises Chadwick Boseman’s Dignified Performances In His Films
The late Chadwick Boseman passed away in 2020 after a long-fought battle with colon cancer. Many of his peers and co-stars paid tribute to the actor and his contribution to the art form. Harrison Ford, his co-star from 42, spoke highly of Boseman and the honesty that he brings to his roles.
Ford stated that Boseman was a compelling a powerful actor who brought a lot of truth and conviction to his performances due to his personal dignity and intelligence. He went on to claim that Boseman’s committed performances elevated the material he was given and he will be deeply missed. Ford told The Hollywood Reporter,
Chadwick Boseman was as compelling, powerful, and truthful as the characters he chose to play. His intelligence, personal dignity, and deep commitment inspired his colleagues and elevated the stories he told. He is as much a hero as any he played. He is loved and will be deeply missed.
Boseman’s last on-screen role was in 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom where he played the ambitious but tragic Levee Green, the trumpeter of Ma Rainey’s band. 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was dedicated to him and his legacy. The actor was gone way too soon but his great performances will continue to be discovered and celebrated.
Fans can watch Boseman in 42 on Max.
