The upcoming Hulu series, Wu-Tang: An American Saga based upon the New York rap group Wu-Tang Clan, has begun its casting with the additions of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse‘s Shameik Moore, Moonlight‘s Ashton Sanders, Messiah‘s Siddiq Saunderson, Ballers‘ Zolee Griggs, Get Out‘s Erika Alexander and Power‘s Marcus Callender, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Inspired by the books The Wu-Tang Manual and its sequel Tao of Wu, both written by the group’s frontman RZA, the series will be set at the height of the crack epidemic in ’90s-era New York and follow the group’s formation from a group of young black men who grow out of a life of crime into one of the most successful musical groups in American history, having sold 40 million albums worldwide and releasing five gold and platinum albums.
Co-created by RZA and Alex Tse (Superfly), the series will be executive produced by Brian Grazer at Imagine Entertainment, both known for working on praised musical dramas 8 Mile loosely chronicling the life of Eminem (whom also starred in the film) and Empire starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
Sanders is attached to play Bobby Diggs, based upon RZA, who grew up on a farm with his uncle and became hardened by the street life in order to provide for his family, but still holds a creative and thoughtful heart that longs to make music. Moore is set to play Sha Rader, who grew up on the streets and is a gunner for a drug dealer, but finds himself questioning his orders as he becomes closer to Bobby. Saunderson will play 19-year-old Dennis “D-Love” Coles, based upon Ghostface Killah, who works as the right-hand man to Bobby’s brother in the drug dealing business and will do anything to protect his family and friends.
Callender is attached to play Power Grant, the leader of the crime organization in Park HIll and the rival to Bobby’s brother’s gang in Stapleton. Griggs is set to play Shurrie, who when she’s not running her house of three other siblings and focusing on school, is secretly in a relationship with D-Love. Alexander will portray Linda, Shurrie’s mother who is working at a rib shop after ridding herself of her abusive husband and is struggling to balance her hectic work life with her increasingly strained relationship with her children.
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The clan consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004 due to a drug overdose. The Killas, Deck, GZA and the Estate of Ol’ Dirty Bastard will serve as consulting producers on the series.
