As many fans know, there’s a new re-imagining movie of The A-Team coming to theaters on June 11.  Mr. T, who was one of the stars of the original series, was in attendance at the Los Angeles premiere.

Apparently Mr. T is not a fan of the new movie.

When offered a cameo during filming, the original B.A. Baracus turned it down saying he “knew what was coming” (in reference to the violence and sexual content in the movie) and was uncomfortable with it.  At the premiere he said his fears were confirmed, stating, “It was too graphic for me.  People die in the film and there’s plenty of sex, but when we did it no one got hurt and it was all played for fun and family entertainment. These seem to be elements nobody is interested in any more.”

The television series centered around four Vietnam veterans who have escaped prison after being incarcerated for a crime they didn’t commit.

 The violence existed, but was cartoon-ish in nature (think Wylie Coyote falling off a cliff and surviving) and the sex factor was non-existent.  The new A-Team are four men back from a tour in Iraq with a new, sexy addition to the team in the form of Jessica Biel.

Mr. T is not the only actor to complain about the movie thus far.  Dirk Benedict, or “Faceman” from the TV series, is upset at how short his cameo is.  ”I’m on for a mere three seconds and I find that kind of insulting,” said the actor.  Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (who takes over the role of B.A. Baracus) has complained about the opposite of Mr. T’s concerns, saying that he’s afraid the movie will ruin his tough guy persona.

I’d have to say I agree with Mr. T.  Will all of the extra violence and sex enhance the experience for fans?  I really don’t think so.  The movie seems to have taken the concept of the show and changed it into a twisted, convoluted parody of itself.  While one hopes for the best, I can’t say that (as a fan) this re-make has excited me in any way.