Chadwicke Boseman plays James Brown in the new biopic Get on Up. He previously starred in 42 as legendary baseball player, Jackie Robinson. While he is proud to play the Godfather of Soul, Boseman reveals that he was hesitant to take on the role. “I was ultimately worried about measuring up to this guy.”

James Brown was one of the most influential figures in modern music, and his life was a classic rags-to-riches tale. The African American singer rose from the depths of poverty to one of the greatest musicians of the 20^th century. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, his fearless style and persona helped redefine the music industry by breaking barriers, chucking convention, and bridging gaps between racial divides. He was an instrumental figure during the civil rights era and his music made an impact on countless future artists. Brown died in 2006, leaving behind a legacy that is now being showcased on film.

After 42, Boseman was offered many roles of iconic figures, including James Brown. It was a large undertaking due to Brown being such an important figure in popular culture. The 32-year-old actor was reluctant to play the larger-than-life performer, concerned if he would do the biopic justice. Both were born in South Carolina, and Boseman understood the responsibility to bring Brown to life.

Get on Up opens in theatres on August 1. The highly anticipated film also stars Dan Aykroyd as his manager and Viola Davis as his mother who abandoned him as a child. It combines drama with lively musical performances. Boseman prepared for the role with help from Brown’s estate and practice sessions with a choreographer to perfect the now-famous dance moves. The film will cover the singer’s life, including his time in jail, drug use, and trip to Vietnam. Brown had a career that spanned six decades.