Gregory Widen’s name may be firmly attached to the origins of ‘Highlander‘, but it’s a real-life swordsman at the centre of his next project: ‘Black Samurai‘…
Although the story of a Black Samurai warrior might sound like Hollywood “INSERT COLOUR washing”, this tale of a real life Samurai of African origin- in development at Lionsgate with Gregory Widen (Highlander, The Prophecy) writing the screenplay – is actually based on a true story. According to various historical records, Yasuke was a Samurai of African origin who served under the Japanese warlord Oda Nobunga in the late 1500s. His moniker was granted to him by Nobunaga, but its not clear if this was a Japanese rendering of his unknown real name, or a new name bestowed upon him by the warlord.
Yasuke’s origins are shrouded in mystery and there are various stories and speculation about his true origins, but he was the only known African to attain the rank in the country’s feudal era and the character is widely known throughout modern day Japan. Yasuke appears in Yoshi Kurusu’s historical novel Kur-suke which was published in 1968, and tells a very sympathetic account of Yasuke’s life in Japan and his duties serving for Nobunaga. He also appears as a featured character in the 2017 video game Nioh from Koei Tecmo.
It will be interesting to see which direction Widen takes the character and his journey and exactly what the response to the project will be. Will it get the “Iron Fist’ backlash that its somehow misappropriating Asian culture or will it be given a chance to find its own way?
Though they bear little resemblance to any historical figure or Widen’s current project, the title Black Samurai has been used at various times on screen: there is a 1970s’ set series of books by Mark Olden which tell of Robert Sand a US soldier who becomes the Black Samurai after training for seven years with a Japanese Samurai master, and fights against the forces of evil. There’s a tv series based on the character and books in development with RZA producing and actor/rapper Common playing the lead. Of course, prolific B-Movie director Al Adamson (Dynamite Brothers & Death Dimension) and Enter the Dragon‘s Jim Kelly brought their own take on the character to the screen in 1977.
Just for fun, here’s Jim Kelly in action…
