The whole “who will be Magnum PI” rumblings are starting to match those of the whole “Who will be the next Bond?” ones. I personally still think George Clooney is the guy for the role, but I’m sure there are lots of talented actors out there who could pull it off.
But this news is a little odd. According to our good friends over at FIlmrot, are reporting rumblings about the studio wanting to snag Ben Affleck for the role. Ben Affleck as Magnum PI?
Now let me say right up front, I’m actually a Ben Affleck fan (of his acting ability anyway). I know it’s all the popular rage to dump on him, but seriously, I think the man has shown flashes of brilliance in his acting career (I think the performance he gave in Changing Lanes is one of the most underrated of the last 5 years). But even though I like Affleck… to me… he just doesn’t seem right for the role at all.
I just can’t picture it. Put a guy like Clooney in there, and you maintain the essence of the character… but Affleck in there and you change the essence of the character all together (In my opinion anyway).
Your thoughts? Affleck a good idea or bad idea for Magnum PI? If you think it’s a bad idea… who could you see in the role?
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Hello, people! Tom Selleck is a great Actor and he’s alive, so why not use him to do this movie? After all, Andy Griffith made a great lawyer in Matlock, didn’t he? Also, nostalgia will bring ticket sales galore! And as for the car, I say a scene where Higgins agrees to let him drive ‘the ferrari’ is in order. Here’s the funny – let Magnum think that Higgins is giving him the keys to the new Enzo, then, when Magnum realizes that the key won’t work with the car, Higgins takes him to a dusty garage where the 308 has been sitting since Magnum totaled it in 1989. Then have Magnum work with his old buddies to bring it back to life, finally inserting the key and spinning off past the parked Enzo. This will bring the audiences in. As a proud owner of a 1982 Red/Tan 308, I can say ANY Ferrari is a jewel. Remember the episode where Magnum buys the Jaguar E type and cons TC to work on it? Hey, this movie needs nostalgia if it is going to work. If you want a younger actor, have Tom Selleck play Magnum in the movie and script in a new actor to be the ‘trainee’, then spin off a new TV series!
Jeremy
I watched Magnum as a child and it was among my favorite shows. Ever since I started working from home, I’ve been watching it regularly in syndication.
I think keeping the original cast would be the best move for the movie. Selleck is Magnum.
However, as this is not a likely scenario, my vote would be for Brendan Fraser. He has roughly the height and build as Selleck to be believable as Magnum. Selleck’s Magnum was multidimensional- intellectual, juvenile, ladies man, witty/clever/comical, and philosophical. He never at all seemed smug, either. I think Fraser can pull all of that off. Vaughn comes across as too juvenile/wimpy, Affleck and Clooney too smug. Now as far as the ‘stache goes…you got me.
Tom Selleck IS Magnum. There is no reason the entire cast couldn’t take part in a movie set in the present day. Why do we need another pathetic Hollywood attempt at updating a classic TV series for the big screen? How did Miami Vice, The Wild,Wild West and Starsky & Hutch do at the box office? Not too great. Hire the original Magnum writers and cast and make a good movie, not another piece of garbage for the video store.
Tom Selleck IS the only Magnum. He is, and always will be. I REFUSE to see a movie made without him in it as Magnum.
I am putting together a Documentary in which I’m documenting my attempt to Stop Ben Affleck from Becoming Magnum. Check out the TRAILER at: http://www.myspace.com/becomingmagnum, if you are a Myspace Member, OR go to http://www.youtube.com, and type BECOMING MAGNUM into the Video Search.
Watch the Trailer, and if you like it, please let others know about how to find it and watch it.
Thanks,
Mike.
One of the best shows of the 80s! You can’t have anyone but Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum. We all want him back in the role. Without him the movie wont be what it could be!
Clooney? Barf! Clooney is such a pathetic, wimpy, conceited Liberal! Selleck is a strapping, genuine, quirky, warm, funny, likeable, studly Conservative! Affleck could do well -but I would prefer to see Selleck given a shot – so what if he’s a little older – he’s still a force to deal with.
Magnum is just one of those personalities that you have to get just right or the movie will totally bomb……like others who have responded i am not a huge affleck fan, but have seen roles where he fit the role perfectly……this is NOT one of them. I can just envision affleck’s attempt at the trademark look to the camera while raising his eybrows, and i have to say it makes me want to puke.
i think clooney has a better on screen personality to pull it off, but i also think he’s a bit too old for the role.
having spent a lot of time thinking about this, the only currently well known actor that i can see as an acceptable thomas magnum is matthew mcconaughey, he’s the right age, has that ex-military look, and he could easily pull off magnum goofy yet charming personality.
aging magnum dennis franz? just kiddin who would play tc rick and higgins ?
I think Jason Lee should hit the gym and play Magnum…
However, my first vote is for the original cast.
I think Clooney is a talented actor but just wrong for the part of Thomas Magnum. I think Affleck would give a better impression of Magnum. However, I think the more believable Magnum could be pulled off by Brendan Fraser. The rest of my cast would include Will Smith as T.C., Anthony Hopkins as Higgins and Owen Wilson as Rick. Just my opinion.
I LOVED Tom Selleck as Magnum. One of my favorite shows of the 80’s. Tom still looks real good. Larry Manetti looks a little wasted though. Don’t know if they could go with original cast.
When a movie version was mentioned I only thought of Tom in the part. I don’t like George Clooney as Magnum at all. I do like Ben Afleck. I liked him in Clancy’s Sum of All Fears. But Ben as a Vietnam Veteran, I don’t think so. They would have to update the war to Persian Gulf or something.
I also heard Matthew McCaunehey (can’t think how to spell it) was being considered. He played a former SEAL in Sahara. Liked his moves in that movie.
Keep the original cast, just make Magnums shorts a little longer. The show would still be cool if it wasn’t for those shorts! You may want to break his hat a little more too.
The voice-over narrative by Selleck was one of the best parts of the show. I’m not sure if anyone can tell the story like him.
Ben Stiller can carry the stache and should be able to pull off the character.
Tom Selleck is Magnum PI. John Hillerman is Higgins. Roger E. Mosley is TC. Larry Manetti is Rick.
If you change these guys, the show will flop. Straight to DVD.
The show will have a real chance, and a built-in audience if you keep the original cast. Everyone I’ve talked to feels the same way…
These guys are young enough to do it too!
Why reinvent the wheel?
You already have a winner!
Affleck? Clooney? Neither is worthy to wash Selleck’s Ferrari. Drop the whole idea. Magnum P.I. without Tom Selleck just isn’t Magnum P.I.
Tom Selleck, shorts and all…The “aging Magnum” scenario works for me…after all, I am aging right along with him.
My vote’s still with Tom Selleck, but I can see Vince Vaughn in the role as well. He has the same type build, and I think could pull off the character. If only people could get past Old School and the fact he looks like a seventies porn star with the ‘stache.
I tend to agree with some of the above comments. Magnum won’t be thomas sullivan Magnum without TOM SELLECK! He still looks great and would be great. Ben Affleck???…………….no thank you!
Ben “the brain” Affleck? As Magnum? HA HA HA…! thanks for the laugh Movie blog!
I suppose we’ll be seeing Clay Aiken play ‘The Outlaw Josey Whales’ soon!!! HA HA HA!
Sorry Ben, but you got famous riding on Matt Damon’s coattails…maybe you should cling on.
Affleck’s not a bad actor, his problem is material selection. THe stuff he is good in, he’s really good. Of course most of it, he wrote with Damon.
And no moustache, no Magnum.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Affleck is one of the worst actors ever. Attach him to any project and it instantly becomes a “never-see” for me.
Why is everyone so hung up about the moustache?
They can change the appearance of the character. I have no problem with that. I need not ring up the debate on a black Kingpin again.
Its the essence of the character. Magnum was caring, yet bold, sweet and dashing. He was what every guy in the 80s wished they could be. He got the chicks. And the car? Thats a one-two punch right there.
Clooney is all of these things.
Is Affleck a good actor. Yes. Does he have the personality and presence to pull off Magnum? No.
AAAAUUUUGGGHHH!!!!
Magnum isn’t Magnum without Tom Selleck. IF neccesary, write the script for an older Magnum, because there’s no need to go back and revisit the one from the ’80s.
I rarely ever watch TV, hardly ever really have, and the ’80s were no exception. I didn’t start watching MAgnum until it was already off the air and into syndication. I had a whole summer of convalesence and that show was on twice a day for 6 days a week on two differetn stations, so I managed to see every single episode in about 5 months.
And then the cable companies drafted that non-duplication rule. Sucked.
Oddly, I still haven’t bought this on DVD.
Ben Affleck? Kiss Of Death.
They should reinvent magnum P.I. with Sam Jackson in the roll. I jest of course, but it would be very Hollywood then.
I think Michael Vartan from alias would make good magnum. These types of movies are better actors on the way up. An actor that is already well known in this type a role could be a career killer and people expect alot from them.
I think that Tom Jane is the best idea yet. He had a mustache in Boogie Nights, am I right?. And I think he’s a very good actor. I liked him in the Punisher (although the movie kinda sucked…), Stander and even in…dare I say it… Dreamcatcher =).
“Paul Giamatti has had a mustache before… although he too would not be my first choice in this role” -AJ
Ah, but he *would* make a good Higgins, would he not? {and remember- the actor need not be British, John Hellerman wasn’t}
As for Ben Affleck-tion, no.But this is only rumor mill. He hasn’t said yes, he hasn’t said no. George Clooney has said no in the past offers. It is also really tough to picture anyone than Selleck. Real tough. But if you really had to -and I still think a Magnum feature film is a stupid, stupid idea-
Tom Jane?
If Tom Selleck could pull off this role, so can anybody. Maybe even Eminem ;).
If anybody’s willing to take a bet that George Clooney is not gonna star in this, please email me. I will give you good odds.
What about the theme music ? i say you leave it as is, very 80’s but still works
I do think they should loose the Daisy Duke caliber tennis shorts, i don’t care what decade it is that shit is gay
Yeah… mustache is a rarity in Hollywood nowadays =)
Paul Giamatti has had a mustache before… although he too would not be my first choice in this role =)
Clooney sounds good.
But what about the car?
80’s Ferrari or a new one?
I’m casting my vote for Tom Selleck. He can still pull it off, and you know that there are plenty of Magnum fans out there that would hit the theaters to see him back in the red Ferrari.
It may be the fanboy in me but anyone but Tom Selleck is just wrong.
That would definety not be my choice for casting. Id agree with you John and cast George Clooney. Though I’d rather have someone who could carry a good moustache. But not many actors of late can.
Although it’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen Magnum I also think that Affleck would be a poor choice in this role… I actually liked Affleck in the Kevin Smith films, but the majority of his films are pretty awful (not necessarily due to his acting) . Changing Lanes and Good Will Hunting are watchable and I think he was in Dazed & Confused also. But that’s about it. He has made pretty bad choices when comes to scripts, I think. Although probably he has made a LOT of cash.
I think he has the same problem as Vince Vaughn to some extent. He always seems to be the same person in the movies. It worked in the ViewAskew flicks, but it gets tiresome after a while.
I’m an Affleck fan too, at least in movies written by people who know him, or when he plays himself (IE: View Askewniverse flicks, and Good Will Hunting). His natural personality is a pretty good match for Magnum PI I think, so I don’t think he’s a bad choice for the role. That said he’d look awful with the ‘stache and it can’t be Magnum without the ‘stache.
I’ve gotta agree with George Clooney though, he’d be an awesome Magnum.