Harrison Ford & Unknown Cast in Jackie Robinson Biopic '42'

Hollywood is just now getting around to telling the story of baseball great Jackie Robinson, and its first key performers have been cast for the Robinson biopic 42.   The Legendary Pictures production announced yesterday that TV actor Chadwick Boseman (Persons Unknown, The Express) will play the first African American Major League Baseball player in the late Robinson, while Harrison Ford has been brought in as a supporting character, according to Variety. 

While Boseman will fill the shoes of the Hall of Famer who broke the long-standing color barrier in professional sports, specifically in the MLB, Ford will portray the executive Branch Rickey, who was responsible for signing Robinson to play for the then Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945 (now Los Angeles Dodgers).  Writer Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) will write and direct 42.  It's unclear when 42 will start production or when they're aiming for a theatrical release. 

As a die hard baseball fan, I'm looking forward to this one and seeing the iconic Jackie Robinson story finally getting told on the silver screen.  It's been a long wait.  If not for Robinson breaking the color barrier we would not be able to experience the talents of many of today's African American professional athletes.  Of course, I wouldn't be heart broken not seeing Kobe Bryant ever again.

Chalk up Harrison Ford's involvement here as an extra incentive to see this movie. 

Are you interested in a Jackie Robinson biopic?

Comments

[Kevin Deas]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!