If you didn't get to see 2013's acclaimed baseball drama 42 in theaters, you'll get your chance this weekend. In honor of Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away from colon cancer at the age of 43 over the weekend, the film will be returning to the big screen at AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark, and other exhibitors choosing to screen the film. Boseman played Jackie Robinson in the film and it's one of the many roles he played during his short but prolific career that earned him critical acclaim.
To further pay tribute to Boseman, AMC Theatres has partnered with Warner Bros. and Legendary, the studios behind 42, to bring the film back to the cinema at more than 300 locations. This accounts for almost every AMC that's opened back up since the nationwide shutdown due to the pandemic. Tickets went on sale at the end of the day on Tuesday and they will be sold at a discounted rate of $5. This is really a great opportunity to catch this film on the big screen because while was successful upon its initial release, it really deserved much more exposure, particularly during Oscar season.
AMC's decision to lead the charge on bringing the film back to the big screen was sparked by a poll on social media quizzing Boseman fans about which role has their favorite of his aside from his blockbuster turn in BLACK PANTHER. Jackie Robinson in 42 was given the most votes although I bet it was difficult for Boseman fans to really choose since his turn as James Brown in GET ON UP as included as well as his portrayal of Thurgood Marshall in MARSHALL.
42 was directed by Brian Helgeland and is a biopic that tells the story of sports legend Jackie Robinson, the first Black man to play professionally for Major League Baseball. Boseman led the ensemble cast as Robinson with Harrison Ford co-starring as Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey. Both of their performances were widely praised by critics and 42 proved to be a box office hit, grossing $95 million at the domestic box office on a $40 million budget. Ford was one of many colleagues that paid tribute to Boseman by saying "He is as much a hero as any he played. He is loved and will be deeply missed." The Jackie Robinson foundation also paid tribute to Boseman with an emotional statement on Twitter than can be viewed below:
I actually haven't watched 42 in a few years and I wish my theaters were open in Los Angeles because I'd definitely check this out on the big screen again. If you haven't seen it, a trip to the cinema is certainly worth it for this truly marvelous film. Will YOU be checking out 42 this weekend at your local theater?