Chadwick Boseman signs on to play Japan’s first African samurai Yasuke

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Deadline has reported Chadwick Boseman (AVENGERS: ENDGAME) has signed on to play Yasuke, the first African samurai in 16th century Japan. According to the outlet, Yasuke was "a native of Portuguese Mozambique who was brought to Japan as a slave to Jesuit missionaries. The first black man to set foot on Japanese soil, Yasuke’s arrival aroused the interest of Nobunaga, a ruthless warlord seeking to unite the fractured country under his banner. A complex relationship developed between the two men as Yasuke earned Nobunaga’s friendship, respect — and ultimately, the honor, swords and title of samurai." Sounds interesting.

"The legend of Yasuke is one of history’s best kept secrets, the only person of non-Asian origin to become a Samurai," Boseman said in a statement. "That’s not just an action movie, that’s a cultural event, an exchange, and I am excited to be part of it." Doug Miro (Narcos) is currently writing the script for the action/drama and I'd imagine that the search is on for a director. Chadwick Boseman will next be seen in 21 BRIDGES as an NYPD detective who puts New York City on lockdown in order to defeat a gang of bloodthirsty cop killers.

The official synopsis for 21 BRIDGES:

21 BRIDGES follows an embattled NYPD detective (Chadwick Boseman), who is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy. As the night unfolds, lines become blurred on who he is pursuing, and who is in pursuit of him. When the search intensifies, extreme measures are taken to prevent the killers from escaping Manhattan as the authorities close all 21 BRIDGES to prevent any entry or exit from the iconic island.

21 BRIDGES will hit theaters on July 12, 2019.