'MacGyver' Reboot News: CBS Orders Pilot For 'MacGyver' Remake
CBS has ordered the pilot for a re-imagining of the '80s cult-favorite action series "MacGyver."
The original, which starred Richard Dean Anderson as a secret agent who favored creating his own weapons instead of using guns to escape sticky situations, spawned two TV movies and had a global following.
The planned "MacGyver" reboot will not be a continuation of the original series. Instead, it will tell the story of a 20-something MacGyver as he is recruited into a secret organization where he will have to use his troubleshooting skills to help prevent disasters from occurring.
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The new "MacGyver" story will be penned by Paul Downs Colaizzo. James Wan, who is set to direct the 2018 DC superhero film "Aquaman" and who has previously helmed "Furious 7" (2015) and "Insidious" (2011), will executive produce as well as direct the pilot. Should the "MacGyver" reboot be ordered to series, Wan will helm the project. It will mark his TV directorial debut.
Henry Winkler, who executive produced the original "MacGyver" in the '80s and '90s, is attached to once again executive produce the action/adventure series, alongside Michael Clear, Head of Production of Wan's Atomic Monster production company. Winkler signed on for the project in October 2015. The reboot is being developed in-house, as CBS executives are intent on reviving a title from the network's own library, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
"MacGyver," which was originally written by writer/producer R. Scott Gemmill, aired seven seasons from 1985 to 1992. A spinoff series starring Jared Padalecki ("Supernatural," "Gilmore Girls") was attempted at Paramount Television but never materialized.
Apart from the "MacGyver" reboot, CBS has also given the green light to "Bull," a drama series about the professional beginnings of talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw. "Bull" and the "MacGyver" reboot will bring CBS' current drama pilots to six. They join the "Training Day" sequel, the medical drama "Bunker Hill," "Drew," and the legal soap "Doubt."
