The Black Panther star has been cast in a new movie set in Japan’s 16th century.

He will be playing the role of Yasuke, the first African samurai to wield a sword in Japan, in a film of the same name. According to Deadline, “Yasuke was a native of Portuguese Mozambique who was brought to Japan as a slave to Jesuit missionaries.”

Considered to be the first black man to set foot in Japan, Yasuke became a person of interest to the ruthless warlord Nobunaga, and in an effort to unite a broken country, he developed a special relationship with Yasuke. Through this relationship and friendship, Yasuke was able to earn the honor, sword and title of samurai.

Boseman has starred in several biographical films throughout his career, but for this film, he expressed excitement to be able to take part in a movie that depicts not only action but a cultural event.

“The legend of Yasuke is one of history’s best kept secrets, the only person of non-Asian origin to become a samurai,” Boseman said.

Boseman is well known for his role as T’Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he is expected to reprise his role for another standalone Black Panther film.

Doug Miro, co-creator of Narcos, is currently working on the script for Yasuke.