Newcomer Chadwick Boseman to play Jackie Robinson in 42; Harrison Ford confirmed

It didn't take long for Harrison Ford to make a decision, but then again I'd expect no less from Han Solo. After just being mentioned as a possible pick for the role of groundbreaking Brooklyn Dodgers exec Branch Rickey in 42, the upcoming biopic on Jackie Robinson, Legendary Pictures today announced that Ford has officially signed on, ending a search that included both Robert Redford and Jack Nicholson. 

Ford isn't alone, though, as the studio also revealed that relative newcomer Chadwick Boseman will play the baseball Hall of Famer, who broke the color barrier when he was signed to a minor league contract in 1945 before being called up to the majors just two years later. Boseman has appeared mostly in television, with his most prominent film role coming in the Ernie Davis biopic, The Express. Unfortunately, I've never seen The Express, so I don't know much about Boseman as an actor, but I think it's a wise move going with an unfamiliar talent in this case.

Brian Helgeland(L.A. Confidential) is set to write and direct, and I'm betting this one will show up just in time to be a factor in next year's awards season.