
I’ll never forget when Chadwick Boseman first appeared as Black Panther – T’Challa – he instantly became a star! He was always incredibly talented, but that role really launched him into the spotlight. It made losing him so young, at just 43 in 2020, feel especially heartbreaking, like we were losing him right when he was hitting his stride. But even though his time was cut short, he did so much more than just play Black Panther. He started out in theater, and he had a lot of other great roles in movies too. Actually, one of my favorites is about to disappear from HBO Max, which is a shame.
Released in 2013, 42 was an early film for Chadwick Boseman and his first time leading a movie. The film tells the story of Jackie Robinson, the groundbreaking baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. While it was a success when it came out, it’s become somewhat overlooked. However, many consider it one of Boseman’s best performances, and it’s worth watching before it leaves HBO Max at the end of the month.
42 Shows How Skilled an Actor Boseman Really Was

Although 42 is a very good film with a talented cast – including Harrison Ford, Nichole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, Andre Holland, Lucas Black, Hamish Linklater, and Alan Tudyk – Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of Jackie Robinson is exceptional. He masterfully captures Robinson’s strength and grace while facing prejudice, delivering powerful and subtle emotional moments that reflect the baseball legend’s real-life experiences. Watching Boseman, it often feels less like a performance and more like he is Jackie Robinson, bringing both dignity and weight to the story without avoiding its important message.
Chadwick Boseman’s performance is the standout feature of the film, but his chemistry with the rest of the cast, especially Harrison Ford, is also remarkable. Ford plays Branch Rickey, the Dodgers owner who took a courageous stand against segregation by signing Jackie Robinson. Their scenes together are particularly powerful, like when Robinson questions Rickey about wanting a player who wouldn’t fight back, and Rickey responds that he wanted someone with the strength to not react. This moment, and many others in 42, showcase the incredible talent of both actors and the complex relationship between the men they portray. It’s a beautifully crafted film and a rare sports movie that appeals to everyone, even those who aren’t sports fans. Be sure to watch it on HBO Max before it’s no longer available on February 28th.
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2026-02-20 17:14