NEW YORK, Sept 4: Actor LeVar Burton says the upcoming reboot of “Roots” has been made keeping in mind the younger audience.
Burton said Malachi Kirby, who has been cast as Kunta Kinte in upcoming ,” was hired after a “really exhaustive”, reported New York Post.
“Just as exhaustive as it was the first time,” said Burton, who originated the role in ABC’s landmark 1977 miniseries (and is a co-executive producer on the A&E version).
“We even got to the end (of the search) and wanted to make sure we hadn’t left any stones unturned. At the end of the day, Malachi really revealed himself to be… The best choice — the actor that really had the best opportunity to deliver what we acknowledge is a very difficult role,” he said.
The British-born Kirby, 25, has appeared on the UK soap “EastEnders” and on the big screen in “Gone Too Far” and “Kilo Two Bravo.”
50-year-old Burton, who was 20 when he played Kunta Kinte, says A&E’s reboot will be slightly retooled for a younger audience.
“One of the decisions we took into consideration in remaking ‘Roots’ for a new generation was the reality that a lot of Americans, a new generation, are unfamiliar with the story and somewhat resistant because of the perceived dated nature of the storytelling.
“When I m honest with myself I can’t disagree. There’s new scholarship available that we’re taking advantage of including that the Mandinka culture (in West Africa) was a horse culture, so Kunta Kinte’s origins will have different underpinnings,” Burton added. (PTI)
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