Playing It Cool

Samuel L Jackson returns as iconic private detective Shaft.

Back in 1971, a new movie hero was born in the form of John Shaft – Hollywood’s first black private eye.

Richard Roundtree took the title role of the cool and suave investigator who, like James Bond, was ‘popular with the ladies’. He was also handy with his fists and a gun as he navigated the mean streets of New York’s Harlem.

Roundtree went on to play the role in two sequels and a TV series in the 1970s before hanging up his distinctive leather coat. Then director John Singleton brought back the character in his 2000 movie, Shaft, starring Samuel L Jackson as John Shaft II, the nephew of the original Shaft, who was played once again by Richard Roundtree.

Now, after a 19-year break, Isaac Hayes’ iconic theme tune will be heard again in Netflix’s new movie, Shaft.