Chadwick Boseman will take on the lead role in Yasuke, as the first African to break into Japan's samurai ranks. Photo / Getty Images.
After starring as the African warrior king Black Panther in Avengers: Endgame, Chadwick Boseman will take on the titular role in the period action film Yasuke, as the first African to break into Japan's samurai ranks.
Deadline report Boseman will star in the film adaptation of the story of Yasuke,
who served under 16th century Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga.
Born in Portuguese Mozambique, Yasuke was brought to Japan as a slave by Jesuit missionaries.
As the first black man to arrive in Japan, he attracted the interest of Nobunaga, who was looking to bring together and unite a divided country under his banner.
The unlikely pair developed a mutual friendship built on respect, and ultimately their commitment and honour to the title and traditions of the samurai.
