Wu-Tang: An American Saga

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Wu-Tang: An American Saga
File:WuTangPoster.png
Season 3 release poster
Genre Biographical drama
Created by <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Starring <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Composer(s) The RZA
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 30 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Producer(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • James Seidman
  • Earl Davis
  • Ryan O'Nan
  • Gabe Fonseca
Cinematography <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Editor(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • Josh Beal
  • Debby Germino
  • Jake Pushinsky
  • Bjørn T. Myrholt
Running time 42–59 minutes
Production company(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Release
Original network Hulu
Original release September 4, 2019 (2019-09-04) –
April 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

Wu-Tang: An American Saga is an American biographical drama television series created by RZA and Alex Tse which premiered on September 4, 2019, on Hulu.[1] The show portrays a fictionalized account of the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan. In January 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 8, 2021.[2][3] In November 2021, the series was renewed for a third and final season which premiered on February 15, 2023.[4]

Premise

Wu-Tang: An American Saga is set in New York City during the height of the crack cocaine epidemic in the early 1990s. It follows the Wu-Tang Clan's formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs aka The RZA (Sanders), and its rise amid the dangers and excesses that came with the epidemic.[5] Seeking his own way out, Diggs turns to rap in order to carve a path to fame going against his older brother Divine (Martinez), who favored the drug trade as the means to giving their family a better life.[6] The story depicts how it all came together for the clan as Diggs unites a dozen young men who are torn between music and crime.[7] The group battles against the forces that hold them down and these include their own occasional impulse to give up the fight.[8]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Season Episodes Originally released
First released Last released
1 10 September 4, 2019 (2019-09-04) October 23, 2019 (2019-10-23)
2 10 September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08) October 27, 2021 (2021-10-27)
3 10 February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15) April 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)

Season 1 (2019)

No.
overall		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original release date
1 1 "Can It Be All So Simple" Chris Robinson The RZA & Alex Tse September 4, 2019 (2019-09-04)
Staten island, New York. Red Top. Blue Top. The birth of Wu-Tang starts with a bang. After a drive-by on Dennis Coles, he seeks revenge. His Close Friend, Bobby Diggs, has his eyes set on an SP-1200 drum machine.
2 2 "Winter Warz" Norberto Barba The RZA & Alex Tse September 4, 2019 (2019-09-04)
With Divine navigating politics in prison, Dennis and Bobby step up to handle his distribution responsibilities. They scrounge up enough cash to buy a kilo of crack-cocaine from one of Divine's associates, Haze.
3 3 "All In Together Now" Darren Grant The RZA & Alex Tse September 4, 2019 (2019-09-04)
The death of a friend shakes Staten Island to its core. While Dennis mourns, Bobby, Gary, and Ason reminisce. Prison becomes more complicated for Divine. Haze and Cressy plan to reunite Staten Island by hosting a rap battle.
4 4 "All That I Got Is You" Tara Nicole Weyr Rodney Barnes September 11, 2019 (2019-09-11)
Bobby and Dennis find a new hustle to make some cream - taking a slice of Wall Street for themselves. Later, they make music with Shotgun and Ason, drawing influence from witty and unpredictable sources.
5 5 "Cold World" Jet Wilkinson Ryan O'Nan September 18, 2019 (2019-09-18)
Divine returns home from prison but nothing feels the same - especially with Bobby in "charge" of the house. When Bobby cuts a track with a Shotgun, the rift between Park Hill and Stapleton grows. Infuriated, Dennis drops a track of his own.
6 6 "Impossible" Craig Zisk Zina Camblin September 25, 2019 (2019-09-25)
With debts to pay, Bobby continues his pick-ups – meeting up with friend and fellow rapper, Rebel. But short on cash and desperate, Bobby and Dennis try a new angle only to find themselves in a worse situation.
7 7 "Box in Hand" Malcolm D. Lee Chelsey Lora October 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)
Shotgun's troubled past is illuminated. With the rest of the Diggs' family moving out, Bobby and Divine must continue to hold it down. Before leaving, Jerome passes along some heartfelt advice to Divine.
8 8 "Labels" Tara Nicole Weyr Gabe Fonseca October 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)
Bobby embarks on his first tour with Gary and Ason and learns some harsh truths of the music business. Music might be the road to freedom but it's paved with plenty of set-backs. Industry Rule #4,080...
9 9 "I Declare War" Craig Zisk Zak Schwartz October 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)
With Attila's release from prison looming over Bobby, he must act. Dennis reevaluates his ways, drawing inspiration from ancient teachings. Shurrie realizes that there are parts of Staten Island she can't leave behind.
10 10 "Assassination Day" Colin Bucksey Emily Shesh October 23, 2019 (2019-10-23)
As a mysterious tape makes the rounds of NYC, Bobby and Dennis try to figure out how to handle Attila. Sha's savvy pays off and Shurrie evaluates her options. The seeds of Wu Tang begin to sprout.

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original release date
11 1 "Little Ghetto Boys" Mario Van Peebles The RZA & Alex Tse September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08)
Bobby and Dennis have joined the Diggs family in Ohio, with Bobby seemingly having abandoned his ambitions around music and Dennis and Shurrie expecting their first child. However, things heat up when Bobby is cornered by his girlfriend's ex. Bobby defends himself and is urged by his mother to turn himself in and tell his truth. RZA then leaves the group
12 2 "Brooklyn Zoo" Craig Zisk Emily Shesh September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08)
Bobby goes all in on music while the rest of the Clan struggles with life in the projects.
13 3 "Hollow Bones" Matthew Ross Ryan O'Nan September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08)
The Clan becomes disillusioned with their paths as Bobby prepares to steer them in a new direction.
14 4 "Pioneer the Frontier" Craig Zisk Zina Camblin September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15)
Bobby assembles Dennis, Divine, Sha, and Power on the Staten Island ferry, asking them to squash their beef and come together as Wu-Tang Clan.
15 5 "Visionz" Dinh Thai Zak Schwartz September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22)
The group works together to build out their recording studio, while simultaneously finding their harmony as collaborators. Divine utilizes his business acumen to guide Wu-Tang's branding and entity formation. Dennis prepares for Shurrie and Infinite to arrive in New York.
16 6 "Protect Ya Neck" Mario Van Peebles Lakshmi Sundaram September 29, 2021 (2021-09-29)
The Clan digs deep to make the perfect record to take the industry by storm.
17 7 "Airwaves" Nijla Mu'min Gabe Fonseca October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06)
With Protect Ya Neck in hand, the Clan hustles to get it on airwaves and in stores by any means necessary.
18 8 "Saturday Nite" Rachel Raimist Earl Davis October 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)
The pressure is on when the Clan tells label executives to come see them perform at a legendary hip hop club on a night they aren't booked.
19 9 "C.R.E.A.M" Dinh Thai Solange Morales October 20, 2021 (2021-10-20)
RZA is torn between long money and quick cash as the Clan struggles with financial issues.
20 10 "As High as Wu-Tang Gets" Mario Van Peebles Michael C. Martin October 27, 2021 (2021-10-27)
The Clan makes big moves for Wu domination.

Season 3 (2023)

No.
overall		 No. in
season		 Title [12] Directed by Written by [13] Original release date [14]
21 1 "I Can't Go to Sleep" Mario Van Peebles Alex Tse February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15)
Following six months in the wake of the season two finale, we find RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan have moved out of Staten Island to a mansion in the woods of New Jersey. Despite the massive success of their recently released album, they've only just begun.
22 2 "All I Need" Nefertite Nguvu Emily Shesh February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15)
As an album deadline nears, RZA must reconcile with his cousin Dirty by any means necessary. Dirty, however, takes refuge at Shurrie's apartment. The friendship between Ghostface and Raekwon strengthens as they discuss a potential collaboration.
23 3 "Dirty Dancin'" Mario Van Peebles Michael C. Martin February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15)
In our first allegorical movie of the season, we see Dirty take on the persona of "Dirt McGirt" in the theme of a 1970s blaxploitation film, as he finds inspiration for his first solo album, Return to the 36 Chambers.
24 4 "Daytona 500" Matthew Ross Zak Schwartz February 22, 2023 (2023-02-22)
The Wu-Tang Clan goes on a tour of the East Coast as we follow what happens between the shows on the tour bus. The guys quickly discover that living on a bus together might not be all fun, as they're forced to deal with their problems face-to-face.
25 5 "A Better Tomorrow" Nefertite Nguvu Zina Camblin March 1, 2023 (2023-03-01)
Following the completion of the tour, we see the paths of a few lesser known Wu-Tang members as they search for their individual voices amongst the crowd.
26 6 "Criminology" Matthew Ross Gabe Fonseca March 8, 2023 (2023-03-08)
In our second allegorical movie of the season, we examine Raekwon's inspiration behind his first solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... through the lens of 90s gangster cinema.
27 7 "Shadowboxin'" Janice Cooke Isabella Escalante March 15, 2023 (2023-03-15)
In order to secure a deal for their new label, Divine must deliver on the promises he made to music executive Tommy Mottola. But upon returning to the Wu mansion, he learns that signing members and getting Dirty to feature on a song is easier said than done.
28 8 "Liquid Swords" The RZA The RZA March 22, 2023 (2023-03-22)
For the third allegorical movie of the season, we follow GZA, who takes on the persona of "The Genius" as he journeys through an alternate reality New York City to unite the people using the music from his debut solo album, Liquid Swords.
29 9 "After the Smoke Is Clear" Eif Rivera Gabe Fonseca & Zak Schwartz March 29, 2023 (2023-03-29)
In the penultimate episode of the series, Ghostface reflects on the sacrifices of his past while dealing with the bittersweet outcome of his artistic success. Meanwhile, RZA ventures to take a different approach for the Clan's next album.
30 10 "Triumph" The RZA Alex Tse April 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
RZA pushes his musicianship to new heights as he creates Wu-Tang Forever with a studio orchestra, but the recording process strains the Clan. As tensions boil over during their biggest tour yet, RZA is concerned about Wu-Tang's future and legacy.

Production

Development

On October 11, 2018, it was announced that Hulu had given the production a series order consisting of ten episodes. The series was created by RZA and Alex Tse, both of whom were expected to write for the series and executive produce alongside Brian Grazer, Merrin Dungey, and Method Man. Consulting producers were set to consist of Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, and GZA as well as the estate of Ol' Dirty Bastard. Production companies were slated to include Imagine Television.[7][15][16] On January 17, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 8, 2021, with a three-episode release.[2][3] On November 4, 2021, Hulu renewed the series for a third and final season.[17] On December 14, 2022, it was announced that the third and final season will premiere on February 15, 2023.[4]

Filming

Principal photography for the series commenced in February 2019 in New York City, New York.[18] Filming took place on locations in East Orange, Elmwood Park, Kearny, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, and Secaucus in New Jersey.[19]

Release

Wu Tang: An American Saga was released internationally on Disney + Star in selected territories.

Reception

Audience viewership

According to Parrot Analytics, which looks at consumer engagement in consumer research, streaming, downloads, and on social media, Wu-Tang: An American Saga was the 10th most in-demand United States streaming series, during the week of September 11, 2021 to September 17, 2021.[20]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 74% based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 7.10/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "While not quite as impressive as its legendary subject matter, An American Saga is a beautifully rendered and raw exploration of the Wu-Tang journey."[21] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100 based on reviews from 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[22]

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2020 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music RZA Nominated [23]
Golden Reel Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Episodic Short Form – Music Shie Rozow Won [24]
Online Film & Television Association Best New Theme Song in a Series Wu-Tang: An American Saga Nominated [25]
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor, Drama Series Ashton Sanders Nominated [26]
Outstanding Drama Series Wu-Tang: An American Saga Nominated
2022 Golden Reel Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Series 1 Hour – Music Sebastian Zuleta Won [27]
Golden Trailer Awards Best Music for a TV/Streaming Series Wu-Tang: An American Saga Won [28]

References

  1. ↑ Beginning with season 2; not involved with season 1. Also took over as copyright holder from Imagine Television starting with season 2.
  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

  • Wu-Tang: An American Saga on HuluLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  • Wu-Tang: An American Saga at IMDbLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Wu-Tang:_An_American_Saga&oldid=727427853"