Liu joins Jackson's 'Afro Samurai'

Lucy Liu will voice a martial arts warrior in Afro Samurai: Resurrection, a two-hour TV spinoff of the cult animated show starring Samuel L. Jackson.

According to the Associated Press, the actress will play Sio, an evil mastermind on the hunt for Jackson's samurai.

Executive producer Leo Chu said: "When we first created the character of Sio, we knew that Lucy Liu would be perfect for the role. We thought we owed it to ourselves to at least ask her, never dreaming that she would say yes."

Star Wars's Mark Hamill will also lend his voice to Resurrection, playing a servant and protector to Sio.

The special will be broadcast on Spike TV early next year.