Jackie Robinson Gets Ready For The Big Screen In The First Trailer For 42

In 1947 Jackie Robinson helped changed the world. Signing on to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson broke through the established color barrier of Major League Baseball and scored a huge victory for both civil rights and humanity. But the battle didn't end when he signed his contract. Throughout his career Robinson fought against hate and prejudice due simply to the color of his skin, but he had the strength and will power to battle through and become one of the greatest baseball players the sport has ever seen. And now that story will be told on the big screen.

Apple has released the first trailer for 42, a new film from writer/director Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) about Robinson's legendary times playing in the Major Leagues. You can watch the preview below and head over to Apple to see it in HD.

It's somewhat surprising that this trailer should come online today, given that the film won't be out until April of next year, but when you think about it, it makes total sense. In addition to distributing 42, Warner Bros. has the baseball drama Trouble With The Curve coming out this weekend, and you simply can't buy that kind of synergy. So if you want to see the trailer you just watched on the big screen, chances are you'll be able to see it in theaters this weekend.

42 stars Chadwick Boseman as Robinson while Harrison Ford, Alan Tudyk, Christopher Meloni, John C. McGinley, Lucas Black and Ryan Merriman co-star. The film will be released on April 12, 2013.

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