Grammy-winning rapper T.I. will star in the A&E remake of the 1977 slave epic Roots, but he reportedly had some reservations before joining the cast. Remaking a TV mini series with such an enduring and historical impact is a hefty task, and that's essentially what left T.I. feeling unsure when he was first asked to join the cast.
Roots producer Will Packer and T.I. developed a professional relationship while working together on the 2010 film Takers, but T.I. still had to deeply consider the nature of the project before hopping on board. In an interview with The Huffington Post, T.I. described that he wasn't sure Roots needed a remake in the first place.
It took a bit of convincing on Packer's part, but T.I. eventually joined the cast as Cyrus, a runaway slave fighting for freedom against the Confederates. Ultimately, he says, he is "really, really pleased and ecstatic" about his decision. To prepare for his role as Cyrus, who is arguably the most rebellious character in the series, T.I. noted that he tried to assume the mindset of "someone who would do anything for freedom" and pulled from his experience of being incarcerated.
The History Channel Roots reboot also stars Malachi Kirby, Anika Noni Rose, Forest Whitaker, and Laurence Fishburne and premieres on Lifetime and A&E as a four-night series beginning Monday, May 30. Watch the trailer below.
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