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Chadwick Boseman: "I Needed a Safe Space" to Shoot Racially-Charged Scenes

The 42 actor on his most difficult moments channeling Jackie Robinson.

Playing a living legend like Jackie Robinson on the big screen would be enough to intimidate even the most seasoned actor, but for Chadwick Boseman, it was all in a day's work. Even if some of those days meant trying not to the role get under his skin while shooting uncomfortable, emotionally-charged scenes.

"I needed a safe space to come down from it," the actor says. He reveals that, while shooting the film's most talked-about moment, in which the manager of a rival team relentlessly heckles him with racist slurs, he decided not to speak to his co-stars until the scene was in the can.
First-time leading man Boseman talks to BET.com about filling Robinson's uniform, justifying the use of the N-word and why 42 is the grittiest portrayal of Robinson's life to ever hit the big screen. 
Plus, for fun, the up-and-comer gives us a glimpse into his personal life by playing our quickfire game. 
Check out the video below to learn more about this rising star. 42 opens nationwide in theaters on April 12. 

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(Photo: D. Stevens/Legendary Pictures Productions)

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