T.I. Joins the Cast of ‘Roots’ Remake

T.I. is going back to his roots. Well, not actually. The rapper-actor has signed on to join the cast of A&E’s remake of Roots.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Atlanta rhymer will star alongside Mekhi Phifer, Matthew Goode, Lane Garrison, Emayatzy Corinealdi, James Purefoy and G. Hannelius who have signed on for the four-night, eight-hour miniseries event.

Tip will play Cyrus who is being described as a headstrong slave who fights for his freedom for the Union Army against Confederate forces.

T.I. joins previously announced actors Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Anika Noni Rose, Chad L. Coleman, Derek Luke and others.

The reboot of the 1977 original ABC miniseries will air across A&E networks, including History and Lifetime. Several big-name directors have been tapped to helm the project include Mario Van Peebles, Thomas Carter, Phillip Noyce and Bruce Beresford. Questlove is also on board as executive music producer.

T.I. has been expanding his acting portfolio with his recent talent holding/development deal with Warner Bros. Television. The 35-year-old rapper was recently seen in the Marvel superhero flick Ant-Man and the Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard. T.I. can be seen next in the Ice Cube and Kevin Hart flick, Ride Along 2, which opens in theaters on Jan. 15.