SBS nabs Roots remake
SBS to have Free to Air premiere with episodes helmed by Phillip Noyce & Bruce Beresford.
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SBS has grabbed the Australian rights to the Roots remake by A+E Networks.
Update: SBS confirms it will screen on Free to Air not World Movies.
English actor Malachi Kirby plays the central role of Kunta Kinte, handpicked by producers Will Packer and LeVar Burton. Another Brit, Regé-Jean Page has been cast as Chicken George.
They are joined by Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, Derek Luke, Chad L. Coleman and Erica Tazel.
Australian directors Bruce Beresford and Phillip Noyce direct along with Mario Van Peebles and Thomas Carter.
“The incredible reaction we experienced at our world premiere screening of Roots was matched on the sales floor at MIPTV,” said Sean Cohan, president of international and digital at A+E Networks, in a statement.
“I am thrilled that our company’s ambitious creative efforts, premium storytelling and betting on projects like this one continue to gain partners and scores of fans across the globe.”
It premieres in the US in late May.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
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One Response
So Le Var Burton, the original Kunta Kinte is a producer. Still scatching my head over why this needs a remake, but I guess will be intersting to watch, as would a rerun of the original.