<P> Boseman played his first starring role in the 2013 film 42, in which he portrayed baseball pioneer and star Jackie Robinson . He had been directing an off - Broadway play in East Village when he auditioned for the role . He had considered giving up acting and pursuing directing full - time at the time . About 25 other actors had been seriously considered for the role, but director Brian Helgeland liked Boseman's bravery and cast him after he had auditioned twice . In 2013, Boseman also starred in the indie film The Kill Hole, which was released in theaters a few weeks before 42 . </P> <P> In 2014, Boseman appeared opposite Kevin Costner in Draft Day, in which he played an NFL draft prospect . Later that year, he starred as James Brown in Get on Up . In 2016, he starred as Thoth, a deity from Egyptian mythology, in Gods of Egypt . </P> <P> He started playing the Marvel Comics character T'Challa / Black Panther in 2016, with Captain America: Civil War being his first film in a five - picture deal with Marvel . He headlined Black Panther in 2018, the story of Wakanda, which opened to great anticipation . He will reprise the role in Avengers: Infinity War, scheduled for later in the year and also in the 2019 sequel . </P> <P> Boseman was raised a Christian . He was baptized, and was part of a church choir and youth group . His former pastor said that he still keeps his faith . Boseman has stated that he prayed to be the Black Panther before he was cast as the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . </P>

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