Magnum P.I. might be getting a TV reboot, which would place the series back on its home network. CBS is trying to bring back one of their beloved shows, and they've already handed out a sizable pilot-production commitment for the cop drama that could make a new series a reality. Of course, there's still a long way to go before this reboot gets underway, but what has been reported so far looks promising.
THR is reporting that Peter Lenkov and Eric Guggenheim have been attached to write the script for this potential Magnum P.I. reboot. If those names sound familiar, it's because they're both behind another rebooted CBS series, Hawaii 5-0. Lenkov is also responsible for the MacGyver reboot, so suffice to say this pilot is in the hands of guys with a proven track record. The potential series also will have The Blacklist producers John Davis and John Fox on board as executive producers, and perhaps their influence will help shape what is being described as an update of the original show's story.
The pilot will follow ex-Navy Seal Thomas Magnum who, after returning home from Afghanistan, has decided to use his military skills to become a private investigator. Beyond the switch from Magnum serving in Afghanistan versus Vietnam, very little seems to have changed in the plot for this Magnum P.I. project. This differs from a project ABC was trying to make happen a year ago, in which the idea pitched focused on Magnum's daughter Lily.
With Thomas Magnum set to be the star of the show, and Tom Selleck a part of the CBS family, one has to wonder if the actor will appear in this project in some capacity should it go to series. With the character's backstory changed to fit a more modern time, it seems incredibly unlikely Selleck (who stars on CBS's Blue Bloods) will reprise his former role in spite of his mustache still being in peak condition. Finding a new Thomas Magnum that's as cool as Selleck was back in the day won't be an easy task, but if CBS pulls it off, this project could get a series order sooner than later.
As this Magnum P.I. reboot is only in the early stages of developing a pilot, there's no word whether or not if this project will become a series, but we'll keep an eye out. If it does get an order, it will be another bit of good news Peter Lenklov has gotten in the past week, as his show Salvation just got renewed for Season 2. For more on upcoming CBS programming, or any shows coming out in the next couple months that may be of interest, be sure to visit our fall premiere guide and stay informed on the latest and greatest in television.
