An idea by Michael Stiller, Vice President of Program Development at History, spurred channel executives to begin meetings with writers and creators for a remake of the 1977 TV miniseries, Roots.
The original series, based on Alex Haley’s book, Roots: The Saga of an America Family, was an eight part drama that first aired on ABC 36 years ago. The film went on to earn 36 Emmy nominations and 9 wins as it broke rating records by attracting 100 million viewers to its conclusion. The History Channel, in conjunction with Mark Wolper, son of Roots’ executive producer, David L. Wolper, will base its recreation on both the book and the original series.
As talks progressed, it emerged that there was a second Roots remake project out there from different original auspices that had been eyed by FX. In the end, History stepped up and secured rights, clearing the way for a new Roots mini on the cable network.
This announcement comes just after recent box office hits, Django Unchained and 12 Years A Slave, which tap into a similar subject matter and focus.
Read more surrounding the film’s development on Deadline Hollywood’s website.
BMWK–What are your thoughts on this remake? Good idea or not?