Chadwick Boseman is set to play another legendary warrior.
Boseman has played some pretty famous men — and now he’s reportedly set to tackle one that has been hidden within history.
According to Deadline, the Black Panther star has been cast in a story set in the 16th century as Yasuke, the first African samurai to swing a sword in Japan.” “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,” according to Deadline. “A complex relationship developed between the two men as Yasuke earned Nobunaga’s friendship, respect — and ultimately, the honor, swords and title of samurai.”
“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. “That’s not just an action movie, that’s a cultural event, an exchange, and I am excited to be part of it.”
“Narcos” co-creator Doug Miro is writing the “Yasuke” script.
The actor reprises his role as T’Challa/Black Panther in the Avengers: Endgame currently in theaters.
