“You are Kunta Kinte.” History has released the first trailer and the premiere date for the A&E remake of the classic mini-series, Roots.
Earlier, we reported that the mini-series will be simulcast on History, A&E, and Lifetime when it premieres.
The eight-hour historical series is based on the original 1976 book by Alex Haley, which was later made into the seminal 1977 mini-series starring LeVar Burton, John Amos, and Ben Vereen. The story chronicles the life of Kunta Kinte, a West African who is sold into slavery in the 18th century. Roots then follows the descendants of Kinte through the American Civil War.
Roots stars Malachi Kirby as Kunta Kinte in addition to Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Anna Paquin, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Matthew Goode, Anika Noni Rose, and Mekhi Phifer.
Roots premieres on May 30th on History, A&E, and Lifetime.
Watch the trailer below:
What do you think? Did you watch the original 1977 mini-series? Will you watch the remake? Have you read the book by Alex Haley?
I remember the first one and it was very motivating. with the success of the movie 12 years a Slave I can see why its being remade. I just hope that is its as good as the first one. Yes I will be watching it.
In the original, Kunta Kinte was a young boy… this actor looks too old to play that role. I can’t believe they’d remake a great classic when there are plenty of other stories to tell.
LaVar Burton was a student at USC when he got the role for Kunta Kinte; he was 20 yrs old. This actor look about the same age. So i don’t know why the complaints. 🙂