Netflix has cancelled a virtual preview event for late actor, Chadwick Boseman’s final film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”. Deadline reports that the virtual event which was scheduled for Monday was to feature a conversation with Chadwick’s co-star Viola Davis and Tony-winning director George C. Wolfe along with an exclusive first look and footage presentation.
Boseman sadly passed away, at age 43, on Friday after a private 4-year battle with stage IV colon cancer.
Netflix in a statement said, “We are heartbroken over today’s news of the passing of Chadwick Boseman, a ‘true fighter’ as his family called him in their poignant tribute. This is an incredible loss. We are cancelling Monday’s preview event of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Please join us in sending your thoughts to his family and loved ones.”
The film based is on the 1982 August Wilson play “The Mother of Blues”, played by Fences Oscar winner Viola Davis. She battles with her ambitious horn player and the white management determined to control her in Chicago 1927. The movie represents one of Boseman’s final performances. The film also stars Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts, Taylour Paige and Dusan Brown co-star alongside Grammy winner Branford Marsalis’ score.
Ma Rainey’s movie-Black Bottom was the first time Chadwick worked with his mentor Denzel Washington, who produced the film and famously paid for his summer acting program at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford.
Boseman had never spoken publicly about his cancer diagnosis. During treatment, involving multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, he continued to work and completed production for many films.