Legendary picks newcomer to experience Jackie Robinson

BosemanRobinsonFordLegendary Pictures is swinging for that fences using its Jackie Robinson biopic "42," tapping relative newcomer Chadwick Boseman to experience the Brooklyn Dodgers infielder and Harrison Ford to experience baseball executive Branch Rickey. John Helgeland will direct from the script he composed. Pic follows the legendary story of Robinson, the very first African-American to participate in the major leagues. Rickey, the innovative Mlb executive who's most widely known for breaking MLB's color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson to some minor league contract in 1945. 2 yrs later, at the beginning of the 1947 mlb season, Robinson was signed towards the Brooklyn Dodgers mlb team by using Rickey. While Rickey continues to be the role most thought in recent days, the role of Robinson was desired by a number of stars including "Friday Evening Light"'s Michael B. Jordan and "Stomp the Yard"'s Columbus Short. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni will produce, with Dick Prepare professional creating. No distributor is placed for that pic. Legendary labored in early stages in development with Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, to guarantee the movie adaptation from the famous player's story is authentic. Ironically, Boseman also made an appearance in "The Express," which took it's origin from the real story of Ernie Davis (performed by Take advantage of Brown), the very first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. He repped by Greene & Affiliates. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com