This Will Be Chadwick Boseman's Final Movie
2020 can't seem to quit taking.
The entertainment industry suffered a heavy blow on Friday, August 28, 2020, when the news broke that Chadwick Boseman – star of 42, 21 Bridges, and, most famously, Marvel Studios' Black Panther – died at the age of 43. He tragically succumbed to stage IV colon cancer, which he'd bravely fought for four years and kept a secret from the public. This is a dark time for Hollywood, the Marvel fandom, and the entire world, as one of its most talented entertainers has left the land of the living far too soon.
As has become the norm when a big-name star passes away, many are now wondering what will become of the projects Boseman was working on prior to his untimely passing. Regarding Boseman's completed work, there's one last hurrah on the way from the Da 5 Bloods actor for fans to enjoy while honoring his legacy. While his life ended unexpectedly, we can all still look forward to a final big-screen outing from Chadwick Boseman.
Chadwick Boseman will star in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Little did anyone know, Boseman's valiant battle against colon cancer didn't stop him from seeing the production of his last cinematic work to the very end. Directed by George C. Wolfe, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, based on the play by August Wilson, managed to finish principal photography in 2019 and is currently in post-production (via IMDb).
In the film, Boseman will fill the role of Levee, working alongside Viola Davis, Coleman Domingo, Glynn Turman, and others in what will be his silver-screen swan song. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is said to hit Netflix in 2020, but no exact date is currently attached.
Netflix has, however, shared a full synopsis for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: "Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary 'Mother of the Blues,' Ma Rainey (Academy Award® winner Viola Davis). Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music. As the band waits in the studio's claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (Chadwick Boseman) — who has an eye for Ma's girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives."
Chadwick Boseman was also working on What If...?
Additionally, there's one more new project in which fans can experience Boseman's most popular role, Black Panther, following his death. Boseman previously joined the ensemble cast of Marvel's What If...? animated series, which centers around alternate realities in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, to voice T'Challa. The only uncertainty here is the extent to which he completed his work on the show before he passed away. What If...? will start streaming on Disney+ sometime in 2021.
Our thoughts are with Boseman's loved ones during this time of immense grief.