(UTV|COLOMBO) – “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman has been cast in the title role of “Yasuke,” the true story-inspired tale about the only recorded African samurai in feudal Japan which has been setup at Picturestart, De Luca Productions and Xception Content.
A native of Portuguese Mozambique, Yasuke was taken captive and brought to 16th-century Japan as a slave to Jesuit missionaries. The first black man to set foot in Japan, his arrival arouses the interest of ruthless warlord Oda Nobunaga who seeks to unite the fractured country under his banner.
The film will focus on the complex relationship between the two men as Yasuke earns Nobunaga’s friendship, respect, and ultimately the title of samurai. “Narcos” creator and “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” scribe Doug Miro is writing the script.
The project will be produced by Michael De Luca, Stephen L’Heureux, Erik Feig, Logan Coles and Bodeman. It is not to be confused with a rival project setup at MGM which has Lloyd Braun and Andrew Mittman producing.
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