STEAMY STREAMING: CHADWICK BOSEMAN
Black Panther, 42, Da 5 Bloods +
Chadwick Boseman died in late August, at 43, after a private battle with colon cancer. Though the bulk of his career only spanned twelve years, Boseman left us with iconic, groundbreaking performances. He centered voices of color and advocated to honor and respect Black people’s history. From playing real-life people to being the first Black superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, here are roles we will remember Chadwick Boseman for. Rest in power.
42
42 turned Boseman into a movie star. The film tells the on and off the field story of famed baseball player Jackie Robinson. Boseman was terrific at playing historical figures like Robinson and the next one on this list.
42 is available to rent on YouTube.
MARSHALL
Few people can do Thurgood Marshall justice, but Boseman was unlike any other. He played the historic lawyer and first Black Supreme Court justice in the 2017 drama.
Marshall is available to rent on Amazon.
GET ON UP
In a similar vein, Boseman took on iconic musician James Brown in Get On Up. The film came out in 2014 before his breakout performance in 42.
Get On Up is available on HBO Max.
21 BRIDGES
If you want to honor Boseman and watch a film outside his typical wheelhouse, watch the action film 21 Bridges. In it, Boseman plays an NYPD detective who has to shut down New York City to catch a killer.
21 Bridges is available on Showtime.
DA 5 BLOODS
Before his death, Boseman worked with Spike Lee on his Netflix film Da 5 Bloods. With his guttural performance, a posthumous Oscar might be in store for the actor.
Da 5 Bloods is available on Netflix.
BLACK PANTHER
And finally, the one everyone knows him for — Black Panther. Before Boseman, no Black man had taken on the lead of a superhero film of this caliber. He advocated for native African accents in the movie and gave Black children a hero. For that reason, Boseman’s legacy will live on forever. Rest in power, King T’Challa.
Black Panther is available on Disney+.
