Netflix released the trailer for its upcoming special, Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist, which will commemorate the late actor's influential career in a documentary style tribute. Boseman, who's best known for portraying the titular hero in Black Panther, passed away in August of 2020 after filming roles in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods and George C. Wolfe's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Despite Boseman's struggles with his health, his costars reported that he remained intensely committed to his work until the very end. He's now expected to win a posthumous Oscar for his emotional performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
The trailer for the Netflix special Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist includes snippets of Boseman's work as a troubled trumpet player in Wolfe's Oscar-nominated film as well as voiceover from the actor himself. It also features some of Boseman's collaborators including Viola Davis, Danai Gurira, and Spike Lee, who reflect on the late actor's dedication to his craft which fueled his many iconic performances. Davis says, “You know you have to step up when you’re in his presence," and Lee adds, "He just had this weight, this aura.” Check out the trailer below:
Viewers have had the privilege of watching Boseman transform into many different characters on screen, but it looks as though the Netflix special will give audiences an inside look at what really set Boseman apart as an artist behind the scenes. Hopefully, audiences will walk away from the tribute with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Boseman's lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist will be available to stream on Netflix for 30 days starting April 17.
Source: Netflix