MacGyver: CBS Reboot Wants Richard Dean Anderson, But…

Last month, we reported news out of Comic-Con that the retooled MacGyver TV show reboot on CBS wants to bring on the original Angus MacGyver — Richard Dean Anderson — in some fashion. The new series stars Lucas Till in the title role. The cast also includes George Eads, Sandrine Holt, Justin Hires, and Tristan Mays.

Reporting from the TCA summer presser for CBS, The Wrap writes showrunner Peter Lenkov said the new production has been talking to Anderson’s reps, adding, “We hope he says yes.”  Lenkov executive produces with Craig O’Neill, James Wan, Henry Winkler, Lee Zlotoff, and Michael Clear. Last month though, in response to the Comic-Con based stories, Anderson sounded decidedly unwilling to have anything to do with the new MacGyver.

Check out the pair of notes Anderson sent to RDAnderson.com site runner Kate Ritter, which she posted on July 24th and 25th.

“NOTE FROM RICK”
MACGYVER REBOOT
July 24, 2016 

Last October it was announced that CBS Television Studios was preparing to reboot MacGyver as a series for television.

The production has undergone a number of changes and revisions, and last week at Comic-Con in San Diego, the producers and cast introduced the new series and mentioned that they had “reached out” to Richard Dean Anderson. Since then, there has been much speculation about whether Richard would be involved in the project in some way.

Richard offered his perspective first in a brief text, notable mostly for his completely unexplained use of a “disco” icon as his signature.

July 24, 2016

Wylie is just arriving, so this is a teaser:

Huge overhaul of personnel at the new MacGyver: producers, writers, actors, etc. The promo people for CBS/MacGyver called my agent to see if I would be interetsted in helping to promote their show.

I’ll email you tomorrow-ish… my girl is here!

randerson

“NOTE FROM RICK”
MACGYVER REBOOT
July 25, 2016Richard followed up his earlier text with an email in which he explained why he would not be appearing in the new MacGyver reboot.

July 25, 2016

So many people have responded to the attempted “reboot” of the MacGyver franchise, and a lot of people have asked me if I’m going to be in the new show, or am I going to produce it, or, yada.

And all I can say is, I’m not considering being a part of a project that has overlooked the insanely LOYAL FANS of the original character and has proceeded without considering how and why they all became and STAYED loyal fans…

Yes, I was asked, but no, I won’t be involved in the MacGyver reboot. I have tried to recognize that there really is a balance to be found here. Hence, my loyalty to my fans.

Anderson, Rick

(Anderson’s words bolded above, for emphasis.)

Sure, things can and do change. Perhaps CBS can build a trap out of a paperclip, kitchen twine, bubble gum, duct tape, and some cold hard cash, to snare the original recipe Mac. MacGyver premieres Friday, September 23, 2016 on CBS.

What do you think? Are you a fan of the old MacGyver TV show? If Anderson takes a role in the reboot, would it make you more likely to watch?