There is a panel I missed again at Comic-Con this year but would’ve loved to attend - Afro Samurai! If you’re not familiar with this awesome anime series, it first launched last year and features the voice of Samuel L. Jackson as Afro. Some of the most interesting news to come out of this panel includes details about a potential live-action big screen version that Jackson will spearhead, but not star in. MTV brings us the latest details from Jackson, who reveals that “we have a live-action plan” and that “hopefully, that script will come together and we’ll be able to do that in the next two years or so.” If there is one anime series that I’m really excited to see head to the big screen, this is definitely it!
On the show, Jackson is an executive producer and the voice of the Afro Samurai, but he has decided not to be the one to bring the samurai to life. “I won’t be doing that… I’ll be the dead father. I’ll show up in some spiritual scenes, and give him some guidance. We’ll find some young guy that is capable of doing all those things and make it really cool.” That’s a remarkably smart decision, but who does Jackson have in mind? “You know, when I look at him, I see Andre 3000. So, maybe so.” Andre 3000, aka André Benjamin, has starred in a few movies recently in addition to being one of the founders of the group Outkast, including Revolver, Idlewild, Battle in Seattle, and Semi-Pro. Although the film itself wasn’t top notch, Andre was one of the best parts of Semi-Pro, so I might agree with Jackson’s decision on this one.
If you’re concerned that this will never see the light of day, I wouldn’t be so worried, because if anyone, Jackson is the man who can make sure it gets made. Apparently he’s a big fan of the show has made it a priority to get this movie made. Here’s some additional enthusiasm to get you excited for this adaptation. “‘Afro Samurai’ is an interesting hybrid we did, hoping that people would like it, and people embraced it. It just kinda happened. And now I’m walking down the street and people are asking me about ‘Afro Samurai.’ When’s it coming back? When’s the game coming out? Apparently it has resonated with a lot of people as well as it did with me when I first saw it.” Again, if you’re not familiar with it, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the first season on Blu-Ray over on Amazon.com right now!
My response to all of this: bring it on! The entire series from the start has been under Jackson’s wing and thus I don’t think it will have a problem being adapted. While others may complain about the Cowboy Bebop movie or how bad Dragonball looks, I think Jackson and the entire team involved on Afro Samurai know exactly how to keep the spirit and tone of the show as part of a live-action movie. And I can’t wait to see it happen! Am I the only one looking forward to an Afro Samurai movie?
