The third time might be the charm for both a Hawaii Five-0 remake and a popular CBS star.
The original Hawaii Five-0 series ran on CBS for 12 years, from 1968 until 1980. Jack Lord stars as Steve McGarrett, the leader of an elite branch of the fictional Hawaii State Police. His right-hand man is Dan “Dan-O” Williams (James MacArthur). Others in the cast include Kam Fong, Herman Wedemeyer, Harry Endo, Zulu, Richard Denning, Al Harrington, Al Eben, Peggy Ryan, Glenn Cannon, Danny Kamekona, Moe Keale, Douglas Mossman, and Kwan Hi Lim.
A revival series was first attempted in 1997, led by legendary producer Stephen J. Cannell. A pilot was filmed with Gary Busey in the lead role and several castmembers from the original series returned for the project. Lord was in ill health (he died in 1998) and didn’t participate and the project was ultimately deemed “unairable” by CBS execs.
Last year, it was reported that CBS was toying with the idea of remaking Hawaii Five-0 once again. The project was to be led by be Criminal Minds executive producer Ed Bernerdo and was expected to center around Steve McGarrett’s son. It never got off the ground.
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The network decided to try again, relying this time on a team that includes a pair of feature writers who know about rebooting old TV shows. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Star Trek, Transformers, and Mission Impossible III) and Peter Lenkov (CSI: New York executive producer) were put in charge. Lenkov wrote the pilot script, under the supervision of Kurtzman and Orci.
CBS has now given a greenlight for the pilot and all three scribes are on board as executive producers.
EW is reporting that the network may rely on a familiar face for the lead role. It’s being rumored that Alex O’Loughlin (Three Rivers and Moonlight) is currently in discussions to play Steve McGarrett.
Last week, CBS president Nina Tassler confirmed that Three Rivers was indeed dead, freeing up the actor’s schedule. She also reiterated the network’s desire to be in business with actor. Tassler said, “We love him and want him to stay around a long time.”
What do you think? Is O’Loughlin right for the role of Steve McGarrett? Are you interested in watching a remake of Hawaii Five-0? Could this one succeed where other TV remakes have failed?
Ah Suzanne, you leave so many issues open to address but then I think, why bother? And I am chilled, thank you very much. One thing I do have to correct: Alex O’L did not choose to leave Moonlight, he was fired. He does not do shows he wants, he does shows CBS wants him to. He’s under contract with them. I’ll try this one more time: This thread was not about how great Alex O’L is, it was about the demise of a show he was in called Moonlight. We, who liked that show, were discussing various issues surrounding… Read more »
Susie: Yep, I gotta admit I’m somewhat sarcastic but don’t mean it in a hateful way….and I stand behind Alex and Hawaii Five o 100%….CBS got 90% of the people who saw the pilot wanting to see more…..they have NEVER had a response like that to any show…what does that tell you? Ahhh, how about a blockbuster???? Yes, yes, I’m a Moonlight fan….who isn’t that loves Alex but people hav got to realize he does what he wants, does not want to be type cast as he has said, and wants to stretch his acting abilities to the best. in… Read more »
HYPE DOSEN’T MAKE A HIT! AN ACTOR DOSEN’T MAKE A HIT. ITS THE WRITING OF INTERESTING STORIES AND DELIVERED BY ACTORS IN AN INTERESTING WAY..WHY DO I NEED TO SEE ANOTHER EXPLOSION, OR SOMETHING BLOWN UP? WHY DOES THAT MAKE A HIT? YOU CAN’T SHOVE A SERIES DOWN SOMEONES THROAT, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY ANYONE, EVEN YOU…
Susie: Don’t you people realize from reading the hype and promotion for Hawaii Five O that this show is gonna be a blockbuster!! Much better than Alex as a cheese farmer in Back Up Plan (thanks JLo though she isn’t my favorite) There is excitement, good actors, terrific effects and all around “bring it into the 21st century.” Alex has said he doesn;t like to be caste as ONE character but have a large acting range, Moon Light was terrifice and a a good movie some day. But not now…quite whining and if you are a true Alex fan, you… Read more »
Then I guess I am not a true fan, LMAO. I don’t follow actors but shows, and Three Rivers proved most people agree with me. I loved Moonlight. CBS won’t bring it back, well, whatever . I will not watch anything that CBS throw at me just because ALex O’ is in there, specially a silly remake, duh ! How interesting is that . I don’t see that much buzz about Hawaii 50, sorry. . My friend went to the Comic con and told me The Event got the most hype . You and others “true Alex fan” can watch… Read more »
Suzanne, I hope you are being sarcastic about the hype and promotion meaning Hawaii Five-O will be a blockbuster. LOL I agree about the JLo movie bomb though. Just to be clear, what we are writing about here is not “whining.” If viewers don’t let networks know what we like(d), they will decide for us. I just don’t agree with being a passive viewer. My understanding was that Alex had a three-show guarantee in his CBS contract. They cancelled Moonlight for no reason, Three Rivers was a bust, and my personal predication is that Hawaii Five-O, their third try, will… Read more »
Why put Alex O’L in a remake of an old show instead of making a new modern show called Moonlight, which, in its way is also a cop show? I am not interested in any remakes of old shows… that just PROVES Hollywood has no creativity, or they just shut out those who do. The creators, writers and actors on Moonlight did something new, creative and modern, not an old retread. Why not try Alex in a new Mannix or Gilligan’s Island or Dobie Gillis? I know the S must stand for STUPID in CBS.
I’m a TRUE Alex fan and I will watch anything he is in. I, too, would love to see a moonlight movie, but until that happens, I’ll be watching and supporting Hawaii Five O. The previews look amazing and Alex is perfect for the part.
I WOULD DEFINETLY WATCH THE REMAKE OF HAWWAII FIVE O ALSO I LOVE ALEX I DO WISH THEY COULD REVIVE MOONLIGHT , I LIKED 3 RIVERS I WOULD WATCH ANYTHING WITH HIM I THINK HE IS A GOOD ACTOR AND WE SHOULD KEEP HIM AROUND AS LONG AS WE CAN. I BELEIVE HE WILL STRIDE AND FIND THE RIGHT PLACE HE BELONGS . THANKS FOR ALL THE ENJOYMENT I GET WATCHING YOU AND YOUR APPEAL.
Oh, boo hoo all you so -called “fans” of Alex’s that mourn Moonlight to the point that if it were up to you he would have no career! I too loved Moonlight…one of the best shows ever, but moaning and groaning and not watching an entire network because of that is a bit immature, don’t you think???? Alex can do anything and CBS does most certainly have some good shows on I wouldln’t “not see” because Moonlight isn’t there. Get a life. Love you Alex, Your Forever Fan Suzanne
Hawaii Five-o was one of my favorite shows. I don’t know if any remake suceed. I would give it a shot but I would like to play the part of an aging Itlian detective in the pilot.
Alex O’Loughlin will be good in all shows, if you just give him a chance. But he is not giving a chance to proove to the network, becuase you cancell all his shows to quick. leave him alone ant let him be. we love him.
i think alex should consiter doing 1 last season what happens with the photos that the new cop ends up with and doe he end up turning beth or not even if he make it movie just dont leave it up in the air like that thats just mean and crule
It all depends on the writing, the talent and the timeslot. Don’t doom a potentially good or even great show by putting it into a loser position from the start. Some of the most successful shows didn’t develop a following until the end of the first year or even the second. Characters have to develop and viewers need time to connect with them and the story line. That isn’t going to happen if a show isn’t aired consistently or in its entirety. After reading the comments the execs should “get it” and so should the advertisers. I thought that Three… Read more »
There was something very strong about the Moonlight series and the way it was written. Very much like picking up a good book and not being able to put it down. It had a great storyline, filled with romance, suspense, drama, action and comedy. I love how it led you into getting to know the characters. I felt it was a shame that it cancelled and that it should have gone into a 2nd season. I hope it comes back out of popular demand. Any network would benefit from airing the show. There are shows out there that have nowhere… Read more »
I wouldn’t watch Hawaii Five- O . I am sick of repeats of the same old thing. I’ll watch a cop show if it has romance and something unique about it ;like with the paranormal. I like Alex O’ Loughlin’s actingbut sick of all the cop shows on TV.The only ones I have watched is Medium and Moonlighting. Give Alex some special powers and romance, I will tune in. Oh ,and have him grow his hair out like in Moonlight again.
I watch pretty much every channel except CBS, they just don’t have any shows that are worth a second of my time. So sorry CBS, unless you bring back Moonlight you won’t get a second of my time to view your channel.