Brian Helgeland Interview, 42 - A baseball fan at heart, Brian Helgeland was thrilled with the opportunity to write and direct 42.

The film is based on history's most celebrated baseball figure, Jackie Robinson, and pays tribute to the legacy and impact Robinson made when he became the first African American Major League Baseball player.

Tribute.ca spoke with Brian in Los Angeles about the prep work he had to do before writing the script, casting the film and the directors who have most influenced his career.

42 movie synopsis:

The story of Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), the legendary baseball player who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier when he joined the roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

He faced racial discrimination from his fellow players and from the public in general, but sporting the number 42, he went on to play in six World Series. His involvement in Major League Baseball helped bring an end to racial segregation in the sport.

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, Andre Holland, Lucas Black, Hamish Linklater, Ryan Merriman

In theatres: April 12, 2013

42 movie info: http://www.tribute.ca/movies/42/33321/
Brian Helgeland bio and filmography: http://www.tribute.ca/people/brian-helgeland/1355/

Interview by Bonnie Laufer Krebs - © 2013 Tribute Entertainment Media Group