Jada Pinkett Smith: ‘I would love to see ‘A Different World’ back on TV’

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It’s hard to believe A Different World went off the air nearly 20 years ago. However, the TV sitcom, which aired on NBC from 1987-1993, and centered on the life of students at the fictional Hillman College, still remains a source of inspiration for many people today.

Jada Pinkett Smith starred as Lena James on the series for two seasons and says that she would love to see a rebooted version of A Different World back on TV.

“I would love to see something like A Different World back on television,” Pinkett Smith told theGrio’s Chris Witherspoon. “I would love to see kids of color back in school, and what college life is like, and the trials of going into the world with a college diploma, and what does that mean today versus what it meant during the era [in] which we were doing a different world.”

“I would love to re-ignite that world again,” she continued.

Last year the legendary producer and choreographer Debbie Allen made headlines when she took to Twitter to reveal that she wanted to reboot A Different World, the show which she executive produced for five seasons.

“We need to recap this groundbreaking series that is so missed in TV today…can I get an AMEN #ADifferentWorld,” Allen tweeted.

Pinkett Smith says that this time around she wouldn’t want to star in A Different World, but would rather serve as producer.

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Up next Pinkett Smith will produce a remake of Annie, along with her husband Will Smith and rapper Jay-Z. The Smith’s daughter, Willow, was originally slated to play Annie, however weeks ago it was announced that 9-year-old Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis had been cast in the lead role.

“We love Ms. Wallis,” Pinkett Smith said. “I think that this is going to be a very powerful film in its own right. We’re very excited to have her on board for this project.”

Annie is planned for release during the 2014 holiday season, and Pinkett Smith said the film will definitely have some hip-hop flavor.

“There will definitely be some hip-hop elements to it. We’re still working out all of the details as far as the musical approach, the choreography and all that, but definitely there will be some hip-hop elements.”

Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter at @WitherspoonC