Q&A: Samuel L. Jackson

(Credit: Surge/Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com)

When the anime “Afro Samurai” first aired on Spike TV in 2007, it was unlike anything else on American television. Though its mix of swordplay and cyberpunk had been explored in “Samurai 7” (which, coincidentally, was produced by Gonzo, the same Japanese animation house as “Afro”), and the combination of feudal Japan and hip-hop had fueled “Samurai Champloo,” none of them had “Afro's" secret weapon: Samuel L. Jackson. Not only did the star of “Pulp Fiction” and the “Star Wars” prequels do the voice of the titular character and his sidekick, Ninja Ninja, but Jackson also co-produced the animated series.

Now Jackson and his coifed alter-ego are returning with the TV movie "Afro Samurai: Resurrection," "Afro Samurai: The Game" (which will be released on Jan. 27) and the second volume of the manga (which will be published on Feb. 3). We sat down with Jackson to discuss the game, the new movie and all things “Afro.”


The first season of “Afro Samurai” has become one of the best selling anime DVDs in the United States. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s an interesting combination of great animation, sexy violence and the RZA’s music. And it’s an interesting combination that people don’t expect. When I got the first short from Bob [Takashi Okazaki, who wrote the original “Afro” manga and co-wrote the anime], which was this three minute version of Afro crossing the bridge, I was like, “Damn, what is this?”

How did you first get into anime?
I’m not really sure. I’ve been trolling the comic book world forever. And through doing that, I got turned on to things like “Ninja Scroll.” Also, when I was in Japan, they gave me a big box of the stuff. And I sat and watched a bunch of it, and knew what was going on even though it was all in Japanese. They hadn’t put any subtitles on it.

What are some of your favorites?
My current favorite is “Black Lagoon.” But I always revisit “Ninja Scroll.” I’m actually trying to create an anime block for some station. Something that would have new stuff and some existing stuff.

How was “Afro Samurai” received in Japan?
I know the Afro doll is really large, and people went to see it. It was shown in theaters over there, which is really cool.

“Afro Samurai: Resurrection” features the voice of Lucy Liu. Did you guys approach her or did she come to you about this?
I think we approached her. I haven’t talked to her about it, but I was glad to know we had something appealing enough that we could get someone like her. Like we had Ron Perlman in the first one. Excellent! I hope we’ll continue to have stories that will attract people like them.

There’s been talk of making a live action “Afro” movie. If they did, would you want to play Afro?
Hell no! I’m way too old. No, we’d need to cast someone younger…more nimble…. I couldn’t even play his father because he has that big fight with Justice.

Besides “Resurrection,” there’s also the “Afro Samurai” game. Are you into video games?
Some. I tend to play more “Tiger Woods Golf” on the Wii. I don’t really play fighting games.

How involved were you in the development of the game. I mean, you obviously weren’t coding…
How do you know?!

The people at Surge told us. But did you sit down with the developers and give them any ideas or direction?
We talked about it. We talked about how far into the second series we wanted to take it. Also, when we're doing the dialogue, there were times when I had to fix some of the things people wanted me to say.

Did they come up with anything for the game that you wished you’d done in the anime?
No. But the show’s still going on. We have another season, so we have time for a lot more stuff.

Is the idea that it will be the end of the series—that this is a trilogy—or is the hope to keep it going?
No, I hadn’t thought of it as ending. I hope it will continue.

Does that mean we can expect two more games?
I don’t know. I suppose it depends on how well they do.

Given the game’s stylistic violence, do you think it would’ve been too much if the “Afro” game had gone with a more realistic look, as opposed to the cell-shaded one?
I don’t know that it would’ve made a difference, but I think the game is cool looking now, and I think it will appeal, visually, to people interested in the game because people want to feel like they’re part of the series.