Starz Picks Up 'Black Samurai' Series Starring Common and Produced by RZA

More Black entertainment is coming to Starz. The Network has announced that they have picked up the Black Samurai series which will be produced by Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and Jerry Bruckheimer. Common will be playing the lead role in it, reports Variety.

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The series, which is currently in development, will follow Robert Sand (Common), a highly-trained American Army Ranger whose life is transformed when he meets a legendary Japanese master who invites him to train as a samurai. After his beloved sensei and samurai brothers are killed by mercenaries, Sand is thrust on a worldwide journey of both revenge and self-discovery. It is based on Marc Olden’s “Black Samurai” series of novels which were written and published between 1974 and 1975.

“We cannot wait for the world to meet Robert Sand – part Jason Bourne, part James Bond, and 100% the hero we need today,” said Carmi Zlotnik, president of programming for Starz. “‘Black Samurai’ promises to be an action-packed ride and with the Bruckheimer team, Common, RZA and Andre at the helm, we can feel certain this will be exceptional storytelling.”

Bruckheimer will executive produce through his Jerry Bruckheimer Television banner along with Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed. Common will executive produce through his Freedom Road Productions along with Freedom Road’s Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone while RZA and Mitchell Diggs will also executive produce for Wu Films.

“I’m beyond excited about Black Samurai. This is a unique and special project that offers something rarely seen in art and culture today,” said Common. “It’s an honor to play the character of Robert Sand and to have my production company, Freedom Road Productions partnering with Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, RZA and Starz to deliver something fresh and new to people. I can’t wait to dig into this character and the martial arts worlds of gun-fu, kung-fu, jujitsu and more. Look out world, ‘Black Samurai’ is coming!”