Hulu ain’t nuthing ta f— wit: The streaming series has ordered 10 episodes of a Wu-Tang Clan scripted drama series from The RZA, Method Man, Alex Tse, Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo.
The show is created and written by Tse and RZA. Imagine Television’s Grazer and Calfo will executive producer, as will RZA, Tse, and Method Man.
RZA’s and Method Man’s fellow Wu-Tang Clan members Ghostface Killa, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and GZA will serve as consulting producers on the project, as will the estate of Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
“Wu-Tang: An American Saga” is inspired by RZA’s books “The Wu-Tang Manual” and “Tao of Wu,” and based on the true story of the Wu-Tang Clan. Set in early ’90s New York at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, the show tracks the Clan’s formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs aka The RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, black men that are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories.
The Wu-Tang Clan has released five gold and platinum albums, selling 40 million albums worldwide.
“The Wu-Tang Clan has made an immeasurable contribution to music and our popular culture,” said Craig Erwich, Hulu’s SVP of originals. “Their unique musical form and authentic storytelling continues to speak to our times. This series is a conversation worthy event that will bring their history and music to life in a way that hasn’t been seen before.”
“I’ve been a fan of Wu-Tang since the mid-90s and recognized quickly how significant Wu-Tang and The RZA were to the world of hip-hop music and culture,” Grazer said. “Over the years I’ve gotten to know RZA and it’s clear that he is the soul and storyteller of Wu-Tang. Working with RZA and Alex Tse on this series has been a highlight of my career and Hulu is the perfect partner to bring this story to a global audience.”
“It is fitting that ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ is our first series to launch this new chapter as an independent production company/studio as it embodies all of the elements we look for in a story: ambition, vision, imagination, community and the power of music to transcend our lives,” added Calfo.
“I’m delighted to be partnering with Hulu and Imagine to explore the vast story of the Wuniverse. Wu-Tang through our music has always strove to inspire as we entertain. This opportunity to continue the Wu – Saga in a 10-episode series will exponentially increase our inspirational style of entertainment. In the immortal words of ODB “Wu-Tang is for the Children,” said The RZA.
“Ever since I heard “Da Mystery of Chessboxing” on the B-side maxi-cassette single of “C.R.E.A.M.” I’ve been a lifelong Wu fan. I’ll be celebrating this by buying a pair of Clarks Wallabys,” said Tse.
“Imagine, Hulu and Wu-Tang — I’m thrilled with this collaboration. This is a major win for hip hop” said Method Man.
“Ayo u know what it is, Wu-Tang is forever,” said Ghostface Killa. “We’re stepping into new chambers with Hulu and bringing our fans with us,” said Ghostface Killa.
“I look forward to collaborating with Hulu and Imagine for the production and filming of The Wu-Tang Series,” said GZA. “This has been a long time request from fans and supporters for many years and it is long overdue. We now get to grant their wishes.”
The Evolution of Will Smith: From 'The Fresh Prince' to 'Bad Boys For Life' (Photos)
Long before he became an awards season darling and box office king, Will Smith was a successful rapper. From his early days in Philadelphia, TheWrap looks back at the Fresh Prince's versatile career.
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Fresh Prince (1985)
A 17-year-old Will Smith met Jeff Townes by chance and the two ended up forming a hip-hop duo called DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.
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First Grammy (1989)
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince received their first ever Grammy Award for "Parents Just Don't Understand" in 1989.
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"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990-96)
After the IRS came after Will Smith for underpaid taxes, the rapper was nearly bankrupt. Luckily for him, NBC signed Smith and built "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" around his rap persona. The sitcom became a '90s cult classic.
NBC
"Where the Day Takes You" (1992)
Smith made his feature film acting debut in "Where the Day Takes You."
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"Bad Boys" (1995)
Smith starred in "Bad Boys" alongside Martin Lawrence. Although the Michael Bay film wasn't a critics' favorite, it did well with audiences and became a box office hit.
Columbia Pictures
"Independence Day" (1996)
Smith scored his first blockbuster playing a military pilot in the summer alien-invasion hit "Independence Day."
20th Century Fox
Jada Pinkett Smith (1997-)
In 1997, Smith married actress Jada Pinkett -- whom he met when she auditioned to play his girlfriend on "Fresh Prince." (The role went to Nia Long.) They have two kids together, Jaden (born 1998) and Willow (born 2000).
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"Men in Black" (1997)
Smith owned the July 4 weekend at the box office the following year with this sci-fi/comedy megahit, which grossed a whopping $250 million domestically. He also recorded his first solo single since his days with DJ Jazzy Jeff for the "Men in Black" soundtrack.
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"Wild Wild West" (1999)
Smith's next attempt to own the July 4 weekend box office was a serious misfire, a big-budget action comedy about 19th-century hired guns trying to protect post-Civil War America from a diabolical inventor.
Warner Bros.
"Ali" (2002)
Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's "Ali," but lost to Denzel Washington in "Training Day."
Columbia Pictures
"Hitch" (2005)
The hardworking actor was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for attending three movie premieres in a 24-hour period while promoting the rom-com "Hitch."
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"The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006)
He earned his second Oscar nomination starring as a real-life salesman and entrepreneur who struggles with homelesseness. The film also marked the screen debut of his son Jaden Smith.
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Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2007)
Smith gets a slab of concrete with his hand and foot imprint at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
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"Hancock" (2008)
This unusual take on a superhero film was a huge hit, grossing $228 million at the domestic box office, but has yet to spawn a sequel. Smith played a down-and-out superhero who's teamed with a PR exec (Jason Bateman) to improve his image after some ill-advised heroics cause millions in damages.
Columbia Pictures
"Men in Black 3" (2012)
Smith snapped a four-year sabbatical from the big-screen with the sequel to one of his biggest hits -- but audiences mostly yawned.
Sony
"After Earth" (2013)
Smith paired with his then 15-year-old son Jaden on this post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure that was snubbed by critics and audiences alike, and the failure of which marked a turning point in Smith's career.
Columbia Pictures
"Concussion" (2015)
Smith landed another Golden Globe nomination for playing real-life Dr. Bennet Omalu, who took on the NFL after discovering football-related brain trauma known as CTE.
Sony
"Suicide Squad" (2016)
In 2016's DC Comics adaptation "Suicide Squad," Smith plays Deadshot, an expert marksman turned criminal who is recruited to join a band of super-villains recruited to work for good in the DC Comics movie. Many fans and critics balked, but the film still grossed a career-best $325 million domestically.
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"Collateral Beauty" (2016)
Smith plays a successful New York advertising exec who experiences a personal tragedy involving his young daughter and retreats from life, only to have his colleagues come up with a plan to bring him back. The drama was panned by critics.
Warner Bros.
"Bright" (2017)
In Netflix's first attempt at an original blockbuster, Will Smith plays an L.A. cop partnered with the first orc on the police force (Joel Edgerton). The big-budget streaming movie generated some of Smith's worst reviews since "Suicide Squad."
Netflix
"Aladdin" (2019)
In Disney's live-action remake of the animated film "Aladdin," Will Smith plays the all-powerful Genie, taking over for the late Robin Williams in the role. Initial images for the film made fans wonder whether the genie would even be blue...and there was even more skepticism when it was revealed that he was. But fans came out anyway, and the live-action remake grossed over $1 billion thanks to Smith's star power.
Disney
"Gemini Man" (2019)
Smith goes under the digital knife for Ang Lee's sci-fi and action thriller "Gemini Man," in which he fights a digitally de-aged version of himself looking like he did in his old Fresh Prince days. The technically impressive film drew a mixed response from critics, but was a financial disappointment.
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"Bad Boys For Life" (2020)
After years of speculation and Martin Lawrence even saying he didn't think it would ever happen, Smith and Lawrence teamed up once again for "Bad Boys For Life," which reunites the cop duo for one last ride, though director Michael Bay did not return to the sequel. The January release would stand as the highest-grossing film of 2020 domestically, with $204 million before the pandemic wiped most of the blockbusters off the year's slate.
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"King Richard" (2021)
Smith re-entered the Oscar conversation for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the hard-charging father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams.
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The Oscar-nominated actor reunites with Martin Lawrence in the sequel to the blockbuster action franchise opening this weekend
Long before he became an awards season darling and box office king, Will Smith was a successful rapper. From his early days in Philadelphia, TheWrap looks back at the Fresh Prince's versatile career.