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co-produced by the original star lavar burton, this 4-night, 8- >>> a remake of the epic series "roots this four-night, eight-hour version hopes to bring the "roots" story. >> reporter: one of the stars of the original and now co-executive producer of the remake, lamar burton says race is still a controversial topic nearly 40 years later. >> i'm continually surprised that we haven't made more progress where racial tension in america is concerned. i'm really hoping that with this retelling of the roots story that we can once again revisit this conversation and this time perhaps absent some of the guilt and certainly some of the shame that was associated with the conversation this time around. >> reporter: there are similar cast members and repricing roles that stir up an emotional connection. >> i think that all of the actors involved are -- have come to this project with a real sense of import and responsibility to get it right and to do the original honor to uphold that legacy and move it forward. >> reporter: the same role that made burton safety, it was initially intimidating to tak

in 1977, lavar burton played kunta. this time he is an executive producer, and british actor malachi kirby plays the iconic role. >> what tip did you give him? >> the only tip i can possibly give malachi is to make it his own. >> forrest whittaker is the role louis gossett junior. and ben vereen takes on chicken george. the original is mostly shot on the disney lot, where as this was shot here in louisiana. but also in south africa. ♪ the slave ship scenes were done in cape town, south africa. in louisiana, seven different plantstations were used. they have been historically preserved down to the original slave cabin. >> that's a real slave cabin. >> yes it is. >> how many people lived in that? >> no telling. probably about 20. >> today they're shooting one of the most emotional scenes of the entire miniseries. this is when kunta kinte's daughter kizzy has been sold and now she is about to leave the plantation. part of "root's" realism comes from costume designer ruth carter. explain what these are. >> this is a slave t

aired last a night.nigh the four part series airs nearln 40 years after the original which starred lavar burton african teenager captured and pulled into slavere is the executive producer of the remake.. >>> interesting.>>> interesting. i heard the director of therecth movie saying that he thought it was a good time to remake itak because the story needed to be told and he thought it was veryr topical today giving everythingn that's happening. happeni other stories and that's been my whole point with movies like 12 years of slave, et cetera.t cer let's show the full gamut of tht black experience not just one jo thing which movie makers want tt focus on let's show everything.. show the love stories.he love sr you know, the stories off success, and as well as the oneo that show the painful past. p tell the entire story.. >> let's not focus on theocus on struggles of the past.rugg there are struggles modern dayor as welch let's not overlook th that. >> with that said, this is a tss masterful remake.ful rem so do not tune away.not tu a it is good.d. >> young actor who was with us w in studio. >> ma