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.
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. The Olden books were first published in the mid-1970s, so expect Netflix to go for a retro, post-Vietnam flair in their take on the novel series.
Joining Stahelski on the project is writer Leigh Dana Jackson, who’s currently working with Apple TV+ on “Foundation.” Jackson is also working on Apple’s upcoming adaptation of the Michael Moorcock series “The Eternal Champion” with David Goyer. Other TV credits for Jackson include “The Old Man” and Netflix’s “Raising Dion.” He also recently adapted the Stephen King–Joe Hill novella “Throttle” for HBO Max. Jackson’s also in the comics industry, co-writing Image Comics‘ “Bitter Root” series with Chad Handley.
Olden’s “Black Samurai” series ran for eight books, so expect Netflix to keep producing sequels to their film if it ends up being a hit. As for which actor will become the titular commando turned swordsman? Wait and see about that.
