Advertisement

See Chadwick Boseman's final performance in Netflix's ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ trailer

The first trailer is out for beloved "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman's final film.

Boseman, who died in August at age 43 after a private battle with colon cancer, plays ambitious trumpeter Levee in Netflix's upcoming "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's play. Viola Davis is Rainey, aka the "Mother of the Blues," and Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Glynn Turman, Dusan Brown and Taylour Paige also star. (The trailer includes mild profanity.)

"I know what I'm doing," a confident Boseman says as Levee in the trailer. "You don't know nothing about what kind of blood I got, what kind of heart I got beating here!"

That line seems to carry much more weight, now that viewers are aware that Boseman was quietly managing his illness for years. Michael Greene, Boseman's agent, told The Hollywood Reporter that the actor "was really in hard-core pain" while filming "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom," but it "was so exciting to him" to work with Denzel Washington, who produced the adaptation.

The film, set in 1927 Chicago during a single afternoon recording session, follows Boseman's Levee as he encourages his peers in the band into an "eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives," according to Netflix's description of the film.

Chadwick Boseman died without a will: The actor's wife seeks to administer the estate of 'Black Panther' star

Chadwick Boseman, center, stars as Levee in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Michael Potts, left, plays Slow Drag and Colman Domingo, right, is Cutler.
Chadwick Boseman, center, stars as Levee in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Michael Potts, left, plays Slow Drag and Colman Domingo, right, is Cutler.

The movie was set for a virtual preview more than a month ago, but that event was canceled after Boseman's death.

"We are heartbroken over (the) news of the passing of Chadwick Boseman, a 'true fighter' as his family called him in their poignant tribute," Netflix said in a statement at the time. "This is an incredible loss."

"No words to express my devastation of losing you," his co-star Davis wrote on Twitter after Boseman died. "Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity ........ It was an honor working beside you."

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is in select theaters in November and streaming on Netflix Dec. 18.

Chadwick Boseman's most beloved moments off-screen: From his Howard University speech to 'Black Jeopardy!'

Contributing: Morgan Hines

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chadwick Boseman in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom': Trailer for final film