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John Wick director Chad Stahelski is teaming with Netflix for a Black Samurai movie. Former stunt coordinator Stahelski made his auspicious directorial debut with 2014’s Keanu Reeves hitman film John Wick. The action-packed movie about an assassin on a quest for revenge went on to be a sleeper hit, grossing 86 million at the box office.

But as surprising as it was for John Wick to hit so big, reviving Reeves’ career while establishing Stahelski as an action director to be reckoned with, it was even more surprising for the out-of-nowhere film to spawn an entire franchise. But spawn a franchise it has, with both John Wick: Chapter 2 and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum going on to surpass the original movie at the box office. Next year, John Wick: Chapter 4 will hit screens, with Stahelski and Reeves both back for more mayhem. And the franchise will even get a TV spinoff with The Continental,...

While Chad Stahelski wraps up post-production on “John Wick: Chapter 4,” he has one of his next projects lined up at Netflix. Deadline reports that Stahleski will direct the streamer’s feature film adaptation of the “Black Samurai” novels, about an American soldier who learns the way of the samurai.

Read More: ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ First Look Teaser Trailer: Keanu Reeves Is Ready To Kill Everyone [Comic-Con]

Based on Marc Olden‘s thriller novel series of the same name, “Black Samurai” follows Robert Sand, an American soldier in Japan who learns martial arts and swordplay to go up against dangerous forces.

Continue reading ‘Black Samurai’: ‘John Wick’ Director Chad Stahelski Joins Netflix Feature Adaptation Of Popular Book Series at The Playlist.

Stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski is keeping awfully busy these days. The "John Wick" creator is set to release the fourth installment of the action-packed franchise, and according to The Hollywood Reporter he has just been tapped to direct the upcoming "Black Samurai" movie for Netflix. Stahelski is teaming up with Leigh Dana Jackson, one of the co-executive producers of the superpower series "Raising Dion" to write the script, which will be an adaptation of Marc Olden's "Black Samurai" novel series.

Netflix hasn't provided much information regarding the film, but the "Black Samurai" book series is comprised of eight novels, all Blaxploitation stories set in the 1970s and centered on American soldier Robert Sand, who is on leave in Japan and learns the most powerful forms of martial arts to become the Black Samurai. It seems safe to assume that the film will focus on the vengeance plot of the first...

Netflix is moving forward with its feature film adaptation of the popular Black Samurai novels as it has tapped Chad Stahelski to direct and Leigh Dana Jackson to adapt. Stahelski will also produce along with Jason Spitz and Alex Young for 87Eleven Entertainment as well as John Schoenfelder and Russell Ackerman for Addictive Pictures.

The Black Samurai novels are a series of books by famed thriller writer Marc Olden revolving around the character Robert Sand, an American soldier in Japan who learns the ways of the most powerful martial arts and becomes the Black Samurai, embarking on a mission to stop dangerous forces who threaten everything he holds dear.

Diane Crafford will exec produce along with Liza Fleissig and Andre Gaines of Cinemation Studios.

Stahelski is best known as the man behind the camera for the John Wick franchise, having directed every installment. He is currently in post-production on John Wick 4, which bows next year.

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John Wick filmmaker Chad Stahelski has teamed up with Leigh Dana Jackson, a co-executive producer on kid-with-superpowers series Raising Dion, to tackle Netflix’s adaptation of Marc Olden’s Black Samurai novels.

Stahelski will direct, while Jackson is set to write.

Stahelski will also produce along with Jason Spitz and Alex Young of his banner 87Eleven Entertainment. John Schoenfelder and Russell Ackerman of Addictive Pictures, who were instrumental in securing the rights, are also producing.

Details on Netflix’s take were as thin as the very best katana blades, but Olden’s eight blaxploitation books, published in the 1970s, center on Robert Sand, an American soldier in Japan who learns the ways of the most powerful martial arts and becomes the Black Samurai.

The first novel saw him embarking on a mission of vengeance. The other books were globe-trotting thrillers that featured power-mad millionaires,...

Exclusive: UTA has signed award-winning writer, director and producer Andre Gaines (After Jackie), as well as his production company Cinemation Studios, for worldwide representation in all areas. The agency will now look to help expand his business across film, television, podcasts and gaming, also working with him on several hosted programs based on popular brands.

Most recently, Gaines directed and executive produced the feature documentary After Jackie, in partnership with LeBron James and Stanley Nelson. The film examining the second wave of Black professional baseball players who followed Jackie Robinson’s trailblazing path is set to premiere on The History Channel on June 18, as part of the network’s Juneteenth celebration programming.

Gaines previously directed and produced Showtime’s The One and Only Dick Gregory, in partnership with Kevin Hart and Lena Waith. The doc on legendary comedian and activist Dick Gregory, featuring appearances by Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart,...

Netflix has nabbed the rights to the late Marc Olden's "Black Samurai" novels to adapt into a new film and maybe a future franchise. According to THR, the project(s) will be produced by John Schoenfelder and Russell Ackerman. There isn't a lot of info about what's coming on the film side, since no writer is attached just yet.

There are eight books in Olden's pulp novel series, beginning with "Black Samurai." The stories were about Robert Sand, an American soldier in Japan who studies martial arts and works as agent of D.R.A.G.O.N. (Defense Reserve Agency Guardian Of Nations). We've seen Sand...

The post Black Samurai Movie in Development at Netflix, Based on 1970s Pulp Novels appeared first on /Film.

Starz announced today that they will be developing an action-drama TV series with the working title “Black samurai” which will star Oscar-winner Common (John Wick 2, Suicide Squad, Selma), in the title role of Robert Sand. Common will also executive produce under his Freedom Road Productions banner. Working alongside this project will be Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA (Kill Bill 1 & 2, American Gangster, “Gang Related”) and Mitchell Diggs will also executive produce for Wu Films. More about the show below.

Based on the Black Samurai novel written by Marc Olden, the series will follow the character of 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.

As mentioned...

The series is based on the novels by Marc Olden

The post Starz Developing Action Drama Black Samurai with Common and RZA appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

Starz plans on developing a Black Samurai TV series, based on Marc Olden's novel series of the same name, starring Common as Robert Sand.

Starz is getting into the samurai game. The premium network announced today that it's developing an action-drama series under the working title of Black Samurai with Oscar-winner Common starring in the title role; he'll also executive produce under his Freedom Road Productions banner. Based on the "Black Samurai" novels written by Marc Olden, the series follows 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. When his beloved sensei and samurai brothers are killed by mercenaries, Sand …...

Common's next project will have him teaming up with rap royalty and a famed Hollywood producer. The musician-turned-actor is set to star in Black Samurai, a live-action series based on the novels by Marc Olden which is currently in development at Starz.

The story centers on Robert Sand (Common), a

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Now Marc Olden’s Black Samurai novels and Starz have something in Common: The rapper/actor will star in a new action-drama based on Olden’s books, the cabler announced Tuesday.

The nascent series — tentatively titled Black Samurai — will follow Robert Sand (played by 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,” per the official release. “After his beloved sensei and samurai brothers are killed by mercenaries, Sand is thrust on a worldwide journey of both revenge and self-discovery.”

RelatedPower Season...

Starz is developing an adaptation of the “Black Samurai” book series starring Common, with Jerry Bruckheimer and RZA executive producing. The action-drama project from Jerry Bruckheimer Television is based on the “Black Samurai” novels by author Marc Olden and follows Robert Sand (Common), an American Army Ranger who trains as a samurai before finding himself on a journey fueled by revenge. Bruckheimer will executive produce under his Freedom Road Productions banner. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and Mitchell Diggs are executive producing for Wu Films. Also Read: Will Feds Seize 'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli's $2 Million Wu-Tang Clan CD? Also executive producing are Jonathan Littman,...

Starz has nabbed for development action-drama series Black Samurai (working title), starring and executive produced by Common. Black Samurai hails from Jerry Bruckheimer Television as well as RZA’s Wu Films and Common’s Freedom Road Productions which originated the project a year ago. Based on the Black Samurai novels written by Marc Olden, the series is written by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley (National Treasure, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Bad Boys II) who are…...

Rapper and actor Common ("Hell on Wheels") has joined the cast of "The Black Samurai," a new TV series based on Marc Olden's 1970s book series and the 1977 Jim Kelly-led film adaptation.

Common will play Robert Sand, a man rescued by a Japanese samurai master and trained for seven years. After suffering from vicious racism in the military, and seeing his teacher and fellow samurai killed before his eyes by terrorists, he becomes a killing machine out to destroy the corrupt powers who took the lives of his friends.

RZA and Andre Gaines will executive produce the series which is currently seeking a network. After that, a writer and director will be hired.

Source: Variety...

Variety is reporting that actor and musician Common is attached to Black Samurai, a television adaptation of a book series from the 70s. The TV project, currently in development, is based on Marc Olden’s 1974 book series, which inspired the 1977 film of the same name. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA is attached as an exec producer. “Black Samurai” follows the story of Robert Sand (played by Common) who is rescued by a Japanese samurai master and trained for seven years. 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...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Variety is reporting that actor and musician Common is attached to Black Samurai, a television adaptation of a book series from the 70s. The TV project, currently in development, is based on Marc Olden’s 1974 book series, which inspired the 1977 film of the same name. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA is attached as an exec producer. “Black Samurai” follows the story of Robert Sand (played by Common) who is rescued by a Japanese samurai master and trained for seven years. 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...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Marc Olden’s “Black Samurai” series of novels were written and published between 1974 and 1975. The franchise follows American GI Robert Sand, on leave in Tokyo, who is shot trying to protect an old man from a group of drunk American soldiers. What he… Continue Reading →...

A television adaptation of “Black Samurai” is in the works with Common set to star as Robert Sand, Variety confirms.

Based on Marc Olden’s 1974 book series, the story follows Robert after he is rescued by a Japanese samurai master and trains with him for seven years. After he suffers from racism in the military and his teacher is killed in front of him by terrorists, he sets out to seek revenge on the ones who took the lives of his friends.

Read More: Wilmer Valderrama Joins Cast of CBS’ ‘NCIS’

The series will be executive produced by Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, Wu Films’ Mitchell Diggs and Diane Crafford and Andre Gaines with his Cinemation banner.

“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,...

Hip-hop artist Common is continuing his foray into the acting world as today we’ve learned that he’s signed up for a leading role in Black Samurai. Touted as a potential TV series, the project is still in the early stages of development but has already garnered significant interest. Wu Tang Clan’s RZA is attached as an executive producer, hoping to bring additional clout when the show gets shopped to networks.

As for its content, Black Samurai is said to take inspiration from Marc Olden’s 1974 book series that also served as source material for the 1977 film of the same name. Common will star as Robert Sand, a man “rescued by a Japanese samurai master and trained for seven years. 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...

It’s easy to become something of a cynic with regard to modern cinema, as studios churn out sequel after sequel of re-hashed notions that barely have a plot. Every once in a while, though, a project will come along that is so brilliantly conceived that it manages to re-kindle that long-diluted love of originality you thought was lost forever. Today is one such day: the project is called Poe Must Die, and the person behind it is the indefatigable Idris Elba.

Planned as a film trilogy, Poe Must Die is an adaptation of the book by the late Marc Olden. The prolific writer of fiction and non-fiction published the novel in 1978, and it has now been optioned by Elba’s Green Door Production Company. Set in the rank grimness of 1840s New York, the story follows a trio of troubled men into a tale of dark magic and demonic destruction.

Idris Elba is developing a trilogy of films based on the fictionalised exploits of Edgar Allan Poe.

The Luther star is adapting Marc Olden's 1978 historic thriller Poe Must Die through his Green Door Production Co, reports Publishers Weekly.

Set in New York in the 1840s, the story centres around the legendary American writer's battle against the forces of evil and his own human foibles.

He teams up with a former fighter, seeking revenge on a sorcerer on the trail of eternal life who murdered his wife.

It is unknown if Elba will star in Poe Must Die.

Elba is producing A Hundred Streets, and will be seen in the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron and Disney's live-action Jungle Book.

Elba will also reprise his role as Detective John Luther in a two-part special for the BBC, to air later this year.

Elba Producing Poe Must Die Trilogy. Famous for his iconic role as Stringer Bell in HBO’s The Wire, actor Idris Elba is currently developing a trilogy based on Marc Olden’s Poe Must Die novel. Poe Must Die is not Olden’s only work to receive the big screen treatment. The seminal 1977 blaxploitation [...]

Continue reading: Idris Elba Currently Producing Poe Must Die Trilogy...

Renowned poet Edgar Allan Poe as a demon-fighting, Constantine-like, alcohol-consumed figure trying to cope with the death of his wife? Sounds like something Keanu Reeves or Nic Cage would think about getting involved in, but it turns out this is Idris Elba.s next big movie project that.ll keep him busy for some time. According to Variety, Heimdall himself is producing a new trilogy through his Green Door Production Co. based on Poe Must Die by Marc Olden. Check out the novel.s summary. It.s pretty wacky: Against a backdrop of New York City in the 1840s, a hellhole of crime and squalor, Edgar Allan Poe plays out a deadly game, fighting not only the demonic forces waged against him, but also his personal demons, the memory of his beloved wife and the alcohol he consumes in order to forget her. To complicate matters even more, Poe...

Idris Elba is developing a film adaptation of author Marc Olden's 1978 thriller "Poe Must Die," via his Green Door Production Co, reports Publishers Weekly. Set in New York City in the 1840s, the novel follows Edgar Allan Poe fighting demonic forces and personal demons, as he teams up with a former fighter, who seeks revenge against a sorcerer who murdered his wife. The dark story also features the sorcerer looking for the Throne of Solomon, which will grant him immortality and control over Lucifer. Elba plans to adapt the novel into a trilogy of films, although no word on when we can expect them, whether Idris will also star, who else might be attached (in front of and behind...

Horror writer Edgar Allen Poe hasn't fared too well on screen in recent years. The John Cusack-starring The Raven failed to set many [telltale] hearts fluttering, while Sylvester Stallone's Poe biopic never even got off the ground. Kudos to Idris Elba then, who's ignoring those troubled projects and striding forth with one of his own. Through his Green Door production company he's developing Marc Olden's off-the-wall historical adventure Poe Must Die as a potential movie trilogy.FIrst published in 1978, Olden's weighty tome finds a depressed and frail Poe at the bottom of a bottle in 1840s New York. Recently arrived is English martial artist Pierce James Figg, who's been sent to find Poe by none other than Charles Dickens. Poe and Figg then join forces on the trail of the sorceror who murdered Figg's wife and is himself searching for the Throne of Solomon, which he believes will...

"Luther" and "Pacific Rim" star Idris Elba is developing Marc Olden's 1978 historic thriller novel "Poe Must Die" as a movie trilogy for his Green Door Production Co. to produce.

Set in New York City in the 1840s, the story deals with Edgar Allan Poe fighting demonic forces and his personal demons while teaming with a renowned fighter.

Said fighter is after his own wife's killer, a sorcerer seeking a throne that will grant him immortality and control over Lucifer.

Source: Variety...