Fans are now getting their first glimpse at the late Chadwick Boseman's final film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
On Instagram, Netflix released a series of photos from the upcoming film, which feature shots of the Black Panther star dressed in a striped tuxedo.
The photos show Boseman performing music with his co-stars, including How to Get Away With Murder's Viola Davis. In the film, Davis portrays the famous singer, Ma Rainey (also known as "queen of the blues"), while Boseman plays Levee, a talented and impulsive trumpeter who wants to start his own band one day.
The upcoming drama film, which is based on August Wilson’s 1982 play of the same name, follows Rainey's music career and the tensions that rise between her bandmates as they gather to record a new record in Chicago. Set in the 1920s, the movie tackles racism and the exploitation of black musicians by white producers.
Aside from Davis and Boseman, the film also stars Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Taylour Paige and Michael Potts. The movie, which is directed by George C. Wolfe and produced by Todd Black, Denzel Washington and Dany Wolf, will premiere on Friday, Dec. 18.
The streaming service had plans to host a virtual preview event for the movie on Aug. 31, but due to Boseman's untimely death, Netflix decided to postpone the event. In a statement after the actor’s death, they said, "We are heartbroken over today’s news of the passing of Chadwick Boseman, a 'true fighter' as his family called him in their poignant tribute. This is an incredible loss. We are cancelling Monday’s preview event of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Please join us in sending your thoughts to his family and loved ones."
The late actor sadly passed away at 43 on Aug. 28, after battling colon cancer. His family shared in a statement, "A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more—all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther."
