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Chadwick Boseman Set to Play the First African to Become a Samurai

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May 9, 2019

Chadwick Boseman has brought various iconic figures in Black history to the big screen. From Thurgood Marshall to Jackie Robinson to James Brown. Now the King of Wakanda is planning to amplify the life of a real life warrior.

Deadline reports Boseman will appear in a film adaptation of Yasuke, the first African samurai in Japan. 

“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.”

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Yasuke was brought to Japan as a slave in the 16th century and was the first African to step foot in the country. A native of Portuguese Mozambique, Yasuke’s presence intrigued warlord Oda Nobunaga. The two had a complex relationship that evolved into a friendship and shared respect that led to Yasuke to earn the honor, swords and designation of samurai.

This isn’t the first planned project to bring Yasuke to life. Towards the end of last year a Netflix announced a Yasuke anime with Lakeith Stanfield as the voice of the warrior.

A release date hasn’t been announced. 

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