Common has officially gone Hollywood—in the best of ways. If he isn’t in your Top 10 as a rapper, maybe he’ll make the cut as a thespian, and he’s doing it alongside the RZA.
The Chicago MC has been acting in Tinseltown for years now and has a couple of small screen performances under his belt, but this new situation may be the most fitting one yet. The 1974 book Black Samurai may be getting its shine on television soon enough.
The series is in development, according to Variety, and it’s being shopped around from network to network. Andre Gaines and RZA are two of four executive producers. RZA’s going to have to carve out some time around his Banks & Steelz project but hey, he’s an OG. We’re sure he knows what he’s doing.
Once the series is picked up, the ball starts rolling.
From Variety:
After suffering from vicious racism in the military, and seeing his teacher and fellow samurai killed before his eyes by terrorists, Robert Sand becomes a killing machine, out to destroy the corrupt powers who had taken the lives of his friends.
“Robert Sand is like black Jason Bourne. Black Samurai is one of the most unique, timely and fun experiences I’ve ever read, while at the same time tackling some serious subjects around race and diversity,” said Gaines. “With ‘John Wick 2’ and ‘Suicide Squad’ coming up, Common was an obvious choice for the role, and I’m thrilled to have him on board. I believe he’s the next great American actor.”
Robert Sand is the main character in the Black Samurai story. In the book, military officer Sand is rescued by a Japanese samurai master who takes him under his wing and trains him for seven years. Later, the training comes in handy and Sand uses what he learning to kick major ass.
Common should kill this role.
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Photo: WENN.com
