Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Netflix have released first look images at Chadwick Boseman in their upcoming movie Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
It was the actor's final role before his tragic death in August.
“I reveled in her, I swished my hips every day. There was such joy in that freedom of expression," Viola Davis said of playing Ma Rainey in the George C. Wolfe film. “I have to remember that I don’t have to barter for my worth. I was just born with it.” https://t.co/NKNeP3YsSr pic.twitter.com/Tp7TKAIZMa
— NetflixFilm (@NetflixFilm) September 30, 2020
The film is an adaptation of the 1984 August Wilson play.
George C. Wolfe directed this new version, while Denzel Washington acted as a producer.
Viola Davis plays Southern singer Ma Rainey, while Chadwick plays her trumpeter, Levee.
The original play is set in 1927 Chicago.
It follows the story of a recording session with Ma Rainey and her band.
The story explores racial tensions in America at the time.
Levee was Chadwick's final role before he died of colon cancer in August, at the age of 43.
He had been battling the illness for four years but hadn't spoken about it publicly.
As quoted by The New York Times, producer Denzel Washington said, 'He did a brilliant job, and he’s gone.'
'I still can’t believe it.'
Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman star in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, a new film based on August Wilson’s award-winning play from director George C. Wolfe and producer Denzel Washington. @MaRaineyFilm premieres December 18. pic.twitter.com/ErhrQAW4nU
— Netflix (@netflix) September 30, 2020
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom premieres December 18th on Netflix.