Black Samurai is in production at Starz, the network behind 50 Cent's hit TV series Power. The show is based on Marc Olden’s novels of the same name and will star Common as the titular character, Robert Sand, a high-trained American Army Ranger whose life is transformed when a legendary Japanese samurai saves him and invites him to train. After his sensei and samurai brothers are killed by mercenaries, Sand takes off on a journey seeking revenge and self-discovery.
Starz describes the series as an update from the original novels and 1977 film, a mix of the spy and martial arts genres with a focus on the heart, soul and music of Common and Wu-Tang.
“I'm beyond excited about Black Samurai. This is a unique and special project that offers something rarely seen in art and culture today,” Common said. “It's an honor to play the character of Robert Sand and to have my production company, Freedom Road Productions, partnering with Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, RZA and Starz to deliver something fresh and new to people. I can't wait to dig into this character and the martial arts worlds of gun-fu, kung-fu, jujitsu and more. Look out world, ‘Black Samurai’ is coming!”
RZA (Kill Bill, American Gangster) of Wu Tang Clan will executive produce alongside his brother, Mitchell Diggs, and Common. RZA said he’s been a fan of Robert Sand ever since he was a kid. It was actually the Black Samurai movie that got him interested in the martial art genre.
“A chance to combine with Jerry Bruckheimer, Common and Andre Gaines to reintroduce this character to a new generation makes myself and my partner Mitchell Diggs at Wu Films super stoked,” RZA said. “With the Wibbs leading the writing team and Starz as our outlet, I'm certain the series will find its fan base.”
Starz president of programming, Carmi Zlotnik, describes Common’s character as part-Jason Bourne, part-James Bond and “100% the hero we need today.”
“Black Samurai promises to be an action-packed ride and with the Bruckheimer team, Common, RZA and Andre at the helm, we can feel certain this will be exceptional storytelling.”
Jerry Bruckheimer and his JBTV team Jonathan Littman, James Oh and KristieAnne Reed will also executive produce with Freedom Road's Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone (The Chi) and Diane Crafford as well as Cinemation's Andre Gaines. Showrunners Cormac and Marianne Wibberley (National Treasure, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Bad Boys II) are writing the pilot script.
Starz did not specify a release date.
