Posted on 10/20/2017 7:10:51 PM PDT by EdnaMode
CBS has shelled out a big pilot production commitment to Magnum P.I., an update of the classic 1980s Tom Selleck series set in Hawaii. It hails from Peter Lenkov, CBS/CBS Studios’ go-to writer for rebooting iconic procedurals who has successfully revived Hawaii Five-0 and MacGyver, and Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist).
Co-written by Lenkov and fellow Hawaii Five-0 executive producer/showrunner Eric Guggenheim, Magnum P.I. will feature the same central quartet of characters but, instead of four guys, it will consist of three men and a woman, with Higgins (played by John Hillerman) reconceived as Juliet Higgins. CBS/CBS Studios took a similar approach with Sherlock Holmes’ sidekick Watson on Elementary, who became Joan Watson.
The new Magnum P.I. follows Thomas Magnum, a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. With help from fellow vets Theodore “TC” Calvin and Orville “Rick” Wright, as well as that of disavowed former MI:6 agent Juliet Higgins, Magnum takes on the cases no one else will, helping those who have no one else to turn to. Action, adventure and comedy aside, Magnum P.I. will also explore a brotherhood forged by the trauma of combat, what it means to return home an ex-soldier, and a commitment to continuing to serve while in the private sector.
Lenkov and Guggenheim executive produce with John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment. CBS TV Studios co-produces with rights holder Universal TV.
Tom Selleck, who played Magnum P.I. in the original series in one of his signature roles, is on CBS as the star/executive producer of long-running cop family drama Blue Bloods and, as part of that, he has a deal at CBS TV Studios. There were discussions about him getting involved in the reboot. I hear he opted not to get formally on board but gave the project his blessing.
I hear Lenkov originally had the idea for a new take on Magnum P.I., with Davis Entertainment spearheading the effort to bring all parties together. Magnum P.I. falls outside of Davis’ overall deal at Sony Pictures TV Studios.
Last year, ABC developed Magnum, a sequel to Magnum P.I., from Leverage creator John Rogers and Eva Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment. It followed Magnum’s daughter, Lily “Tommy” Magnum, who returns to Hawaii to take up the mantle of her father’s PI firm.
Lenkov is an executive producer on three CBS/CBS Studios series — Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver and summer drama Salvation, which was just renewed for a second season. He is repped by CAA and Del Shaw.
Guggenheim joined Hawaii Five-0 as a co-producer in Season 4 and was elevated to co-showrunner at the start of Season 7. Prior to that he was a writer on the first four seasons of the NBC/Uni TV drama Parenthood. Guggenheim is repped by ICM Partners and ZIffren Brittenham.
I'm guessing the Ferrari will now be a Prius (unless they have him take Uber).
They already have the PC helicopter charter “Rainbow Charters. They were way ahead of their time.
“LADS!”
Zues and Apollo
“I LOVE those Jesse Stone movies and the Robert Parker novels they’re based on”
Ditto, wondering when Hallmark and Selleck get the next one out. I believe he signed a two movie deal when CBS dropped out, only one from Hallmark has been produced so far.
I worked at Universal Studios when Magnum was running.
I can assure you all:
There is absolutely NO replacement for Tom Selleck.
Could never find such a kind man.
” it will consist of three men and a woman, “
I knew that would happen before I read the article. When I watched the first episode of “Hawaii Five-0” and saw that they’d replaced a male character — Kono, I think — with a girl, I never watched another episode. Isn’t having a black T.C. enough to fulfill the PC requirements of “Magnum”?
In the ‘80s I had that picture at my desk at work. When I went on vacation the temp who filled in for me told my friend, “Her husband sure is good looking!”
There was only ONE Magnum, PI! My mom and I loved him!
When we signed on to Netflix, Rockford was one of the shows available. About a week later it disappeared! Rockford is my second favorite, after Magnum.
I think he’s referring to Higgins. He may be gay in the real world but wasn’t on the show. He fell in love — with women — a few times.
He, Zeus, and Apollo were primary. Replace him with a women? Uh uh; won’t work.
Well. Hey, let’s face it, he does a good job! Lol!
“Wait for Simon @ Simon 2.0.”
Remember the 2-episode “Magnum” when Rick and A.J. came to Hawaii to work on a case? Tom Selleck and Gerald McRaney on the very same show... you can’t beat that for conservative alpha male hunks.
....filled with social justice memes.
Lol! I bet your friend loved it.
Right? The whole premise of a hunky, sexist, womanizing lead character speeding around in a hot sports car worked in the day when things were normal. Target audience doesn’t go in for that sort of thing today. Nobody likes hot cars anymore, or former Navy officers (who occasionally don their dress whites) rescuing damsels in distress. One question: would this Magnum still have his trademark ‘stash?
Netflix has the old Rockford series. I binge watched most of them a couple years ago. I might have to do that again. I love the mid-70s California scenery and styles.
No nothing original just reboots and movies/TV shows about every comic book ever written
Why is Hollywood paying writers good money if they.cannot come up with original ideas?
Are people really that much more stupid these days?
Yeah I think this will fail if it makes it on the air.
When will the new “team member” a Black lesbian be introduced? They could have a recurring story line where La Shandra be hitting on “ Higgins.” And a cliffhanger ending for the first season could have La Shandra handing Higgins flowers and squeezing her hand suggestively. UGH!!
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