Chadwick Boseman's Final Movie Was Going to Be Previewed on Monday, But Netflix Just Canceled the Event

The final movie that Chadwick Boseman completed before his tragic death is the film adaptation of the classic August Wilson play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Netflix is producing the movie and a virtual preview event was actually scheduled for Monday (August 31), but it has been canceled in the wake of his passing.

The streaming service released a statement and 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 canceling Monday’s preview event of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Please join us in sending your thoughts to his family and loved ones.”

Variety reports that the movie, which has already finished filming, is “set in the late 1920s around the pioneering “queen of the blues” (played by Viola Davis) and her band members. [Chadwick] plays Levee, a talented but troubled trumpet player who has an eye for Rainey’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry.”

The virtual event to be held on Monday was meant to celebrate the movie and the life and work of playwright August Wilson. While Chadwick was not scheduled to appear, Viola and director George C. Wolfe were going to attend.

Read Viola‘s tribute below.