Common Set To Star in BLACK SAMURAI TV Series Adaptation

Variety reports rapper/actor Common will be starring in the television adaptation of the '70s book-turned-movie Black Samurai. Check out a trailer for the original film and continue on below:

I'm not familiar with the source material, but I do know Jim Kelly was the man! Those will be big shoes to fill for Common, who on paper has the acting chops to pull it off. The series has yet to land a network, but apparently many are scrambling for the opportunity.

Black Samurai is a secret agent for D.R.A.G.O.N. and a badass one at that. It's hard to tell how they will execute it in the modern era, but I'm really digging the footage I just saw!

I think the show's success will be determined by whatever network lands it. I think it would be cool to see a period piece where it's all set in the '70s, as it's so hard to do modern kung fu shows in America anymore. Perhaps the callback to the blaxploitation era would draw in a large audience? I'm just spitballing here. Do you think Common is the right man for the job?