Get On Up Almost Cast Diddy as James Brown Instead of Chadwick Boseman

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In a surprising turn of events, it was almost Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs who played the role of the iconic James Brown in the movie “Get On Up,” instead of Chadwick Boseman. This information came to light during Combs’ sex-trafficking trial. “Get On Up” is a biographical film that hit the screens on August 1, 2014. It tells the life story of the legendary singer and songwriter James Brown, and it was Boseman who brought the man to life on the big screen.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs auditioned for James Brown in Get On Up

In a bid to play the iconic role of James Brown in the biopic “Get On Up”, the rapper known for “Last Night” tried out, but unfortunately, it was Chadwick Boseman, who passed away as the Black Panther actor, who eventually landed the part.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed through Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ former assistant (known as Mia for the trial) that he had tried out for the role of Brown. This information came to light during a phase of questioning, and it was found in their conversations, which were made public during his trial.

In an August 2020 message, Mia expressed her thoughts as “Thinking of you, along with Chadwick Boseman,” following his passing. In various texts, she also asserted that she had Diddy’s audition video for the movie and explained it was in development for about a week. Moreover, one text conversation detailed an instance where Mick Jagger, a producer of Get On Up, allegedly flirted with her.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can attest that Tate Taylor’s direction made “Get On Up” one of those timeless films that critics adore. The movie garnered an impressive 80% rating on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, it earned a respectable 68% score on the Popcorn Meter at the review-aggregator site.

Beyond earning acclaim from both critics and audiences for his depiction of the iconic funk musician, Chadwick Boseman himself acknowledged Brown as a virtuoso, comparing him to a skilled maestro and puppeteer. In an interview with Elwood Blues, he stated that Brown was “a master in certain aspects, like a skilled conductor and manipulator.” Furthermore, Boseman admired the unique dance style of Brown.

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2025-06-03 21:40