Fresh off reprising his famed Black Panther role in the record-smashing Avengers: Endgame, Chadwick Boseman is gearing up to add another impactful character to his filmography.
As reported by Deadline, the acclaimed actor will be starring in a film adaptation of the story of Yasuke, a man who became the first African too wield a sword in Japan.
Set in the 16th century, Yasuke was a native of Portuguese Mozambique who was first brought to Japan as a slave, going on to serve as a samurai under the warlord Oda Nobunaga. As the first Black man to set foot on Japanese soil, his arrival sparked the interest of Nobunaga, which in turn resulted in a complicated friendship between the two. Yasuke worked to earn the warlord’s respect and honor, as well as the coveted 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 shared 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.”
Over the years, Boseman has starred in several biographical films, including portraying James Brown in Get On Up, Jackie Robinson in 42 and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall.
According to reports, the script for the aptly-titled Yasuke is being penned by “Narcos” co-creator Doug Miro.
In addition to landing his next role and celebrating the success of Avengers: Endgame, Boseman is also gearing up for his latest film 21 Bridges to hit theaters this summer on July 12.
Take a look at Chadwick Boseman confirming the news of his history-making role below.