Where is the Samuel L. Jackson Afro Samurai Live Action Movie?
Apart from adapting films from some of the best-selling novels, the current trend in Hollywood also includes crafting live actions based on iconic manga and anime series.
The recent massive hit live actions we have seen are One Piece, the newly released Avatar: The Last Airbender, and other notable projects. However, a decade-old project that might have slipped fans’ minds is Samuel L. Jackson’s Afro Samurai Live Action Movie.
The actor voiced both the anime mini-series and the TV movie Afro Samurai: Resurrection. He was also set to serve as the producer for a new film adapted from the original Japanese manga and anime series. According to the press release, L. Jackson announced collaborating with The Indomina Group to produce the live-action.
Has There Been Any Development in Samuel L. Jackson’s Afro Samurai Live Action?
It’s been more than a decade since it was announced that following the success of the Japanese manga and anime series Afro Samurai, there will be a live-action produced by Samuel L. Jackson. The original series written by Takashi Okazaki focuses on the titular character Afro, who transforms into a highly skilled swordsman after finding the truth behind his father’s death.
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In the 2009 film, Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Samuel L. Jackson voiced Ninja-Ninja, and the project received immense commendation from fans, including an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation. In 2011, the news of a new upcoming live-action came out, stating that the actor who has been widely linked with vicing Afro, will now serve as the film’s producer.
According to the press release (via Collider), it was confirmed that the live-action movie focusing on the titular samurai has been confirmed, and the production was expected to begin in 2012. The Unbreakable star said:
“This has been one of my very favorite properties ever since our amazing debut at Comic-Con with the original series pilot out of Japan. I can’t wait to produce the epic feature film version with our new partners at The Indomina Group.”
As mentioned in the details, Jackson was going to collaborate with a U.S. and Dominican Republic-based producer and distributor of film, The Indomina Group. The plan was to find an incredible writer and director for the project that year so that the filming could begin in the Dominican Republic in 2012.
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Years passed but there has been no official update on the live-action. Neither Samuel L. Jackson nor any director came forward to share what was going on with the film that was expected to feature Afro’s story about seeking revenge for his father’s decapitation at the hands of Justice, the leading foes in the anime series.
Fans Have Been Waiting For Years To Witness The Afro-Samurai Live-Action Movie
While many fans might have forgotten about the time when it was revealed that Samuel L. Jackson was producing the live-action movie, there are still many enthusiasts who have been craving it. Not only have they shared opinions on crafting a super engaging film, but also proposed ideas on casting the leading character.
Here are some fan opinions who haven’t forgotten about the Afro Samurai live-action and would love to witness it even now.
The only live action Afro Samurai for me pic.twitter.com/jCZn2GhdyJ
— AJ Beckles (@AJBecklesVO) November 3, 2021
gonna need that afro samurai live action movie at some point
props to samuel l jackson (voice actor) pic.twitter.com/DEDbg6gRNS— Mr Mario Van Bryson (@MarioVanBryson) November 14, 2023
I’m ready for an Afro Samurai live action movie. I previously thought that it didn’t need to happen but the more I think about it the more I want it.
It just needs to be executed correctly. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Eat7CpG0s6
— Laverne Thomas (@lavernelthomas) May 9, 2019
Anyone else think a live action Afro Samurai, if done right would be FIRE????
— Bald Ambition (@Drunkn_Buddha) October 5, 2021
Why didn’t they just make a live action afro samurai film pic.twitter.com/PajCkd2TTA
— Davonte Uchiha (@DavonteJ__) May 9, 2019
Since the original manga and anime series, followed by the Emmy-winning film that came out in 2009 have turned out to be engaging enough, creating a live-action might turn out even more successful. However, for that, there has to be a deserving and talented team behind the film since fans also express fatigue with less entertaining content.