Common is set to play a character described as the “black Jason Bourne”, according to Variety.

The hip hop artist, who starred in American Gangster and won an Oscar along with John Legend for the song Glory in Selma, a film he also has a credit in, will play Robert Sand – a man trained by a Japanese samurai master following a painful stint in the US military who, after circumstances arise, is out for revenge.

“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,” said producer Andre Gaines, who landed the rights for the book and is executive producer of the series alongside Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA.

RZA speaks as Universal Pictures presents a screening of "The Man With The Iron Fists"
RZA directed 2012′s The Man With The Iron Fists (Brandon Clark/AP/)

The show is currently waiting for a network to show interest, something that is reportedly being helped by Common being attached to the show given his upcoming performances in John Wick 2 and Suicide Squad.

“With ‘John Wick 2’ and ‘Suicide Squad’ coming up, Common was an obvious choice for the role, and I’m thrilled to have him on board. I believe he’s the next great American actor,” said Gaines.

And with a martial arts aficionado the size of RZA producing, alongside Wu Films’ Mitchell Diggs and Diane Crafford, Black Samurai looks likely to be a hit.

Marc Olden’s book, first published in 1974, was turned into a film a few years later. Black Samurai will be the latest piece of Olden’s work to be adapted, with Poe Must Die being turned into a trilogy by Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures.