Bringing an  American Hero to Life

42 tells the biographical story of baseball player Jackie Robinson, in the first year leading up to his Major League debut. The film is in the hands of Warner Brothers Pictures and Legendary Pictures and will be directed by Brian Helgeland. Helgeland’s most famous directorial project is 2001′s A Knight’s Tale, but he’s better known for his Oscar winning writing abilities on films like LA Confidential and Mystic River. In fact, Helgeland has only directed three feature films prior to 42, but at just over 50 years of age, perhaps Helgeland hopes to get back in the game.

’42′s Release Date

The film is set to release April 12th 2013, just in time to commemorate the the 66th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the baseball’s color barrier (April 15/Jackie Robinson Day). The release date even butts up against the opening of the 2013 MLB season. April 15th, 1947 marks the day that Robinson put #42 on his Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. Dodgers general manger, Branch Rickey, who signed the contract with Robinson to play for the Dodgers in 1945, picked Robinson not only for his excellent athletic record but also strength of character.

The Cast

New comer Chadwick Boseman will portray Robinson in 42. Although he has been a part of several television shows, and was cast as small part in The Express (2006), another  sports movie involving racial discrimination,  Boseman certainly has the opportunity to make a permanent name for himself with this role.

Harrison Ford will portray Dodgers manager Rickey, who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967. Rickey’s involvement in baseball is important as he paved the way for several innovations. Not only did he sign Robinson, but he’s also known for signing the first Hispanic superstar, Roberto Clemente, for encouraging Major League’s to add new teams, and even for introducing the batting helmet. Most importantly, of course, is that Rickey broke the color barrier by signing Robinson, in a time when integration was taboo. Rickey warned Robinson that he would face harsh racism and discrimination, but by keeping his cool, Robinson helped pave the way for other minorities to follow his lead.

Christopher Meloni will star as Leo “The Lip” Durocher. Durocher, both a baseball player and manager, is known for his hot temper and often remembered for yelling right into umpire’s faces until he inevitably got thrown out of the games. Meloni made a name for himself through the caring and intense Detective Stabler on Law and Order: SVU, making him a good fit to play Durocher, the man who’s most famous for saying, “Nice guys finish last.”

What to Expect:

You may have noticed that Jay-Z track in the trailer, which leads me to believe the film will try to make some sort of social statement concerning the ever-present discrimination people still face over 50 years after the supposed “color barrier” was broken. While the concept of the talented but discriminated against athlete is certainly not a new one to film, i.e. The Blind Side and Remember The Titans, the story of Jackie Robinson is one that America prides itself on. There’s also already been a biographical film in the ’50s literally called The Jackie Robinson Story, starring the real Jackie, so it’ll be interesting to see 42 take a new direction

’42′ Movie Trailer: