The History channel is moving closer to a remake of the groundbreaking TV miniseries "Roots."

The channel said Allen Hughes, whose credits include "Menace II Society" and "The Book of Eli," has been hired to direct the project. Hughes also will serve as an executive producer with Mark Wolper and Marc Toberoff.

The new miniseries, announced in 2013, remains in development and has yet to be greenlighted. But the progress makes it likely the new "Roots" will end up on TV.

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Wolper's father, David, produced the original 1977 miniseries that was based on Alex Haley's historical novel. It was an Emmy-winner and TV sensation.

"Roots," the story of an enslaved African-American family, starred Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton and Olivia Cole. Casting for the remake has yet to be announced.