Below, Boseman previews his turn as the civil rights hero inMarshall.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Youve played James Brown, Jackie Robinson, and Black Panther.
What draws you to playing these culturally significant black figures?
Credit: Barry Wetcher/Open Road Films
CHADWICK BOSEMAN:All of them were different situations.
But, to play Thurgood Marshall was just not in my scope, not in my focus.
So, I think it was all those factors that drew me specifically to this one.
The other two [roles had] small things.
Its not like Im necessarily looking for important black figures.
And Jackie Robinson, there was no way in the world I wasnt going to do that.
So, it was sought after not just by me but by a lot of people.
They all were a little bit different in how they came to me.
What about the script attracted you to this film?
Was it the fact that it was focusing on this one particular case?
It turned into a buddy movie as opposed to just a courtroom drama.
It turned into a whodunit at certain moments, as well.
Im always looking for a challenge.
Each one of these roles has been its own challenge.
Its like being a boxer, having one hand tied around your back.
To quarterback this thing with another lawyer who is inexperienced was really interesting to me.
This movie does feel like a buddy comedy in places.
Can you describe Marshall and Sams relationship?
Marshall is much more experienced than he is.
He definitely would do it without him.
So, hes a nuisance to him for at least half the movie.
That makes for a lot of fun at the end of the day.
You know, a lot of times you see movies now where the black guy is the sidekick.
I think it was sort of there from the beginning.
We listen to each other.
I think it definitely grew as we went along as we continued to play together.
[We] went out to eat with each other a few times.
You get to know people that you work with.
I dont think it was like we tried to do anything extraordinary.
What do you hope people take away from this movie after seeing it?
Its an uplifting movie in a lot of ways.
What I enjoy most is the two of them working together.
I think that is the most of important thing to take away off the top of my head.
And just the sense of who Thurgood Marshall was.
He was once known as the Joe Lewis of the courtroom.
Directed by Reginald Hudlin,Marshallopens in theaters Oct. 13.
