Samuel L. Jackson has signed on to star in a remake of '80s cult flick, The Last Dragon.
The Berry Gordy (yes, the father of Motown) kung-fu flick was about a New York street fighter called Leroy Green, and his quest to become the Last Dragon, possessor of The Glow, a powerful force that makes them the greatest fighter in the world.
Jackson will play the bad guy, Sho'Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, a guy with a gang of yes men and a litany of snazzy catchphrases.
Jackson's on something of a bad guy run lately, what with this, Lakeview Terrace and the forthcoming The Spirit, but he's a huge fan of the original – which, despite lukewarm reviews, grossed over $26 million at the box office, which isn't bad for 1985 – and jumped at the chance to come on board.
"I'm a huge fan of the original and look forward to bringing Sho'Nuff into the 21st century," Jackson told the Hollywood Reporter.
Columbia Pictures is backing the remake, which will be produced by John Davis, Berry Gordy's son Kerry and Dallas Jackson, who will also write the screenplay. The Wu-Tang Clan's RZA is co-producing and we're guessing may have some involvement with the soundtrack and filling Gordy's rather large shoes...
So, readers – excited by this? Much depends on the casting of Leroy, of course, but is this remake off to a good start with Jackson on board? Vent your thoughts and feelings below.