Chadwick Boseman to Play First Black Samurai in Upcoming Historical Film

After his rousing success as Black Panther in the 2018 Oscar-winning film of the same name, Chadwick Boseman has been confirmed to produce and play the role of Japan’s first ever black samurai, Yasuke. 

Set in 16th century Japan, the script tells the story of the eponymous character, an African man, named Yasuke, who came to Japan from Portuguese Mozambique as a slave to the Italian Jesuit missionaries and served under the Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga. He was captured in a battle in 1582. According to legend, Yasuke is the only person of non-Asian origin to become a Samurai and also the first black man to set foot on Japanese soil.

The movie will be produced by Erik Feig’s recently unveiled Picturestart, Michael De Luca and his De Luca Productions company, Stephen L’Heureux and his Solipsist banner, and Boseman and Logan Coles’ Xception Content.

Boseman starred as the titular character in the blockbuster “Black Panther” along with portraying Jackie Robinson in “42,” James Brown in “Get On Up,” and Thurgood Marshall in “Marshall.” He will next star in and produce STX’s actioner “21 Bridges,” directed by Brian Kirk and produced by the Russo Brothers, with Boseman playing an NYPD detective who is hunting for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy.

Photography Credits: Screenrant