We bring you the facts about the star of GET ON UP…
This week, GET ON UP is released in Irish cinemas, and tells the story of James Brown’s rise from poverty to being one of the most influential musicians of his time. Chadwick Boseman has already been highly praised for his performance as James Brown, so Movies.ie gathered together about the star of GET ON UP…
1. Write On
As well as being an actor, Boseman is a playwright and screenwriter. Boseman’s script for the play ‘Deep Azure’ – performed at the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois – was nominated for a 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for New Work.
2. Brainy is the new sexy
Chadwick Boseman is a graduate of both Howard University in Washington, DC and the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford, England.
3. Give up the rock!
Boseman excelled in basketball when he was growing up. At age 31, he still plays pick-up games, and also boxes.
4. Working actor
Before his breakthrough role in 42: THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY, Boseman had roles in TV shows including ER, LIE TO ME and CASTLE.
5. Work it out
Although Chadwick Boseman underwent weeks of baseball training to prepare for his leading role in 42: THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY, Jasha Balcom – a former minor league player – was his stuntman in some scenes.
6. War!
Boseman has been announced to play T’Challa/Black Panther in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, and the 2017 stand alone movie BLACK PANTHER.
7. Zurich Dreams
Chadwick found out he was being considered for the role of Black Panther while promoting GET ON UP in Zurich. In an interview with E! Online he said ‘I was going into a screening of the movie and my agent called me and said, “Marvel wants to get on the phone with you” I was like, “What does Marvel want from me?” But from there it happened pretty quickly’. Exciting!
8. Transformation
Boseman transformed himself for his role in GET ON UP. He won the role by doing work sessions with director Tate Taylor, but didn’t think he was a contender for the role. In an interview with Digital Spy, he said; ‘Tate really picked some of the hardest things you can pick. It was just a work session, we were feeling each other out and I thought it was over. To be honest with you I didn’t think I could do it, my manager had to convince me’.
9. Talent Shines
Chadwick as directed two short films; HEAVEN (2012) and BLOOD OVER A BROKEN PAWN (2008), which he also wrote and edited.
10. When Can I See It?
GET ON UP is released in Irish cinemas on November 21st 2014
Words: Brogen Hayes