Pan-African studio Kugali Media is expanding its footprint in global storytelling with a new live-action feature adaptation of its graphic novel Razorman, created by writer-artist Bill Masuku.
Set in Zimbabwe, the film centers on Lovemore, a resourceful young mechanic in Harare who transforms into the street vigilante Razorman. Armed with ingenuity and makeshift weapons, he takes on The Thirteenth, a powerful crime syndicate tied to his father’s mysterious murder. The story leans into grounded, character-driven action, with tonal inspirations drawn from dark comic properties like V for Vendetta and Spawn.
The project brings together a notable creative team with ties to both African and global hits. Director Mandla Dube is set to helm the film, following his work on Heart of the Hunter and Silverton Siege. Screenwriter Kurt Ellis, known for his novel In the Midst of Wolves and Netflix’s Blood Legacy, will adapt the script.
Producing alongside Kugali are Ziki Nelson, David Neumann of Newmation, and Steven Adams of Alta Global Media. Dube will also serve as an executive producer.
Kugali Media, co-founded by Nelson, Tolu Olowofoyeku, and Hamid Ibrahim, continues to build on its momentum following Iwájú—Disney’s first African animated series—which earned multiple Emmy nominations. The company also maintains a publishing partnership with Disney Hyperion, signaling a broader push into franchise-building across mediums.
With Razorman, the team is clearly aiming for more than a one-off film. The property is being developed with franchise potential in mind, positioning it as part of a growing wave of African-led superhero storytelling that blends local specificity with global appeal.