The long-delayed James Brown biopic has finally been greenlit, and 42’s Chadwick Boseman has been selected to play the Godfather of Soul. The film, directed by Tate Taylor (The Help), will follow Brown’s poverty-stricken childhood in Georgia through his musical triumphs in the ’60s and ’70s, becoming one of the most legendary artists in music history.
Producer Brian Grazer has been trying to make this film for over a decade. The project grew some legs once Taylor signed on to direct, and filming was most recently stalled by budget talks and the hunt for a leading actor. Taylor recently gave a nod to co-producer Mick Jagger saying, “James Brown, really, was the first real dancer that broke the ground on how people move. And Mick Jagger has complimented that and tipped his hat to that forever.”
Boseman, whose first major role was in this year’s 42, came out on top over several actors who were vying for the role. It is a huge deal to be playing two iconic figures within his first starring roles. The Howard University alum and British American Drama Academy grad will next appear in the film Draft Day alongside Kevin Costner.
Filming of the untitled James Brown biopic will begin later this year in Mississippi.
