A First Look at Chadwick Boseman’s Final Performance in Netflix’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ Has Been Released
A first look at late legendary actor Chadwick Boseman’s final performance in the upcoming film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom has just been released.
Boseman, who was known for his roles in Black Panther, 21 Bridges, and 42, tragically passed away from complications of colon cancer (after a four-year battle) in August at the age of 43. The film is directed by George C. Wolfe and stars Boseman, along with Viola Davis, Taylour Paige, Colman Domingo, and Glynn Turman. It is scheduled to be released on December 18 on Netflix. The movie features a screenplay written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson and is being produced by Denzel Washington, Todd Black, and Dany Wolf.
The Mother of the Blues is coming to @Netflix in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, based on the play by August Wilson and directed by George C. Wolfe. Watch it December 18. @MaRaineyFilm https://t.co/QD0QzO5gFi pic.twitter.com/sMHd18ovbE
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) October 1, 2020
The first photos of the movie have just been released. This will be Boseman’s final performance that will be released posthumously. This adaptation of the 1984 August Wilson play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom depicts the life and career of American blues singer Ma Rainey (played by Davis) and her spirited trumpeter, Levee (played by Boseman).
During filming, Davis recounted that the whole crew and cast would aid Boseman in maintaining his frail health by meditating with him. According to Because of Them We Can, in talking about her late friend and co-star, Davis said, “A lot of actors mistake their presence for the event. An actor of Chadwick’s status usually comes on and it’s their ego who comes on before them: This is what they want, this is what they’re not going to do. That was absolutely, 150 percent off the table with Chadwick. He would completely discard whatever ego he had, whatever vanity he had, and welcome Levee in.”
In discussing his work in the film, producer Washington said, “He did a brilliant job, and he’s gone. I still can’t believe it.”
Fans have expressed their excitement about the upcoming film on Twitter, along with their sadness over the loss of Boseman.
I will be watching. Between Viola and Chadwick this is going to be an acting masterclass 💕
— Nirat (@NiratAnop) September 30, 2020
We cannot wait to watch Boseman’s final piece of cinematic gold on Netflix this December.
