It’s been a long time coming for Hollywood to explore the life and times of legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson, but it seems they’ve finally caught up, and found their guy in Chadwick Boseman.

According to the Huffington Post, Legendary Pictures announced the film will be called 42, which represents Robinsons’ jersey number.

Boseman, whose best known for guest appearances on TV shows such as Castle and Fringe, has been acting professionally since 2003. The Brooklyn, N.Y., newcomer will star opposite veteran actor Harrison Ford, who will take on the role of Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers executive who signed Robinson to the team.

Robinson broke major league’s racial boundaries in 1947 when he became the first African-American to play professionally in MLB history. The icon was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1962.

Originally, the same production company that produced Ray with Jamie Foxx was behind this story as well. Still in development, the film will be written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who is responsible for Oscar-winning films like 2003's Mystic River and 1997's L.A. Confidential.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: Warner Bros Television)