Tom Selleck starred as the sexy and Hawaiian shirt-wearing private investigator Thomas Magnum for eight seasons on CBS. The Hawaii-based action adventure series Magnum P.I. ran for 157 episodes from 1980 – 1988 and also starred actors John Hillerman, Roger E. Mosley and Larry Manetti. Like many other popular classic shows, the series has been rumored to get “the big screen treatment” for years but now it looks like it may finally happen.
It’s being reported that Rawson Marshall Thurber (director and writer of Dodgeball
In addition, much of the film’s main cast has already been chosen — with new actors in the familiar roles. For now, the word is that Matthew McConaughey will play Thomas Magnum, with Tyrese Gibson as chopper flying T.C. Calvin, Steve Zahn as friend Rick Wright, and William H. Macy as the uptight Jonathan Higgins.
No word yet on the script particulars but the film will take place in the modern day. This time, Magnum, T.C. and Rick will be war buddies from the Iraq War instead of Vietnam. Last year, Thurber said that he envisioned that, like the series, the film would be an action-oriented with humorous elements. He also said the Hawaii-based story would depict the time before Magnum became a private investigator — sort of a “Magnum Begins” storyline.
Unfortunately for fans of the TV series, it doesn’t look like the original castmembers will have any part in the project. Back in May 2006, while on a press tour for a Jesse Stone 
It doesn’t sound like Selleck will be missed from the new version. Director/Writer Thurber has said, “My guiding principles for the adaptation are these: no short shorts, no cameos, no moustaches. It’s a title you know, a theme song you love and a kick-ass Ferrari.”
Personally, I’ll reserve judgement until I see it but I don’t think the show has had such enduring popularity because of the title, theme song and the car. Hopefully this TV show adaptation will be better made than other recent attempts (Bewitched, Dukes of Hazzard, Fat Albert, etc.). I’ll keep you posted on new details as they become available so stay tuned… and aloha! 
I recently paid a visit to the old estate, spending hours with my wife lounging on the beach behind the Magnum place. It’s still gorgeous, but starting to age quite a bit. Without Tom Selleck, I can say for sure the film won’t work.
McConaughy just does not have the acting ability, or the personal charm, of Selleck.
Going to be horrible. So bad. If Tom Selleck and the rest of the crew can’t get the big screen, they should do a TV sequel movie. I would rather see the old cast on the big screen but if it won’t happen, I would love to see them on T.V. It wouldn’t have to be a cheap Dallas reunion. They could do some specials with some sequels and use the same writers. Synchronize it with the cheap new movie coming out and the T.V. version will be better without the budget of the movie. Magnum P.I. doesn’t need the… Read more »
No Tom Selleck,and the guy’s,count me out!! everyone gets older and so do you Mr. Thurber and It would be an inslut to us fans of the beloved Magnum p.i. I watch reruns everyday monday thru friday,over and over again, and (sorry Matt) but on alot of the shows in a funny or wreid scene Tom whould look right into the camera and give that funny little grin,it made us feel like he was looking right at us lol. you whould’nt be able to do it. this whould be a waste of money to not cast the same cast members,you’ll… Read more »
Part of Mangnum P.I.’s appeal drew from its format. The creators had to follow rules that don’t apply to T.V. today since there were only four channels to choose from when it debuted. The target demographic included the entire age spectrum, for instance. An updated Mangnum P.I. – even with the original members – would be cancelled after one season today. Fast-paced editing, exponentioally more channels, DVRs, Netfix, and very targeted demographics render Mangum’s once-groundbreaking format uncompetitive. And the much-celebrated chemistry between Selleck and Hillerman relied on this format for success. So I’m skeptical in this way only: it might… Read more »
I can’t believe that you do a Magumn P I without Tom Selleck. It won’t be the same. Count me OUT!!!!
a magnum pi movie will fail,without selleck and hillerman, it cant work,and whoever put up the money for it should be committed…enough said
as a fan of the 80s magnum i do belive that a new generation magnum should be a more fresh one could get a unknown nephew of thomas magnum who allso holds the magnum name since he is famliy he should fit thomas shoes well he will come in to takeover for thomas as pi since thomas is not getting any younger. i allso feel that it would be in its best not do a remake of a once great tv series but to take it to the next step as a movie if you like. to bring it to… Read more »
Mr, Thurber Don’t listen to mindless sceptics.There were no complexities and depth of characters. MAGNUM was simply a silly TV show with aspirations to be a hip ROCKFORD FILES which it failed at. It was,however, a fun little action series with light humor with fun characters all of whom would be wonderfully played by Matt McConaughey,Steve Zahn,and Bill Macy. You are making the right choice,Mr Thurber. They said no one could replace Sean Connery,but know everyone is talking about Daniel Craig. It is time for Tom Sellack to rest on his laurels. He had his chance at TV reunion movies… Read more »
kidney stone
I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right…Thurber needs to honour the spirit of the original show or the movie will flop. Magnum P.I. is more than just a “title you know, a theme song you love and a kick-ass Ferrari”!? The brilliance of the show was in the subtlety of the humour, the witty dialogue and the complexities and depth of the characters. Every episode had the perfect balance of action, adventure and drama with an occassional shot of campiness. Thurber, When I finally get around to writing my book “How to write a movie about a world class… Read more »
The on screen chemistry Hillerman and Magnum portrayed is the soul of Magnum PI. The movie might as well be a random title because the plot and storyline doesnt follow…
No original cast members??? Don’t bother!! You WILL Fail.
No original cast members??? Don’t bother!! You WILL Fail.
If the Director/Writer Thurber has said, “My guiding principles for the adaptation are these: no short shorts, no cameos, no moustaches. It’s a title you know, a theme song you love and a kick-ass Ferrari.” His movie will be a failure, he doesn’t get what Magnum PI means. The success was because of people – Tom Selleck, John Hillerman, and the rest of the cast – he could have driven a Ford Pinto, lived in Nebraska and worn only long pants and it would still have been good.
I,for one, think the new cast fit the concept of MAGNUM perfectly. With the future of Dirk Pitt movies a foregone conclusion thanks to the asinine lawsuit from Clive Cussler,it’s good to see these guys and their great chemistry gettting started in a new genre and MAGNUM is the perfect vehicle. Tom Selleck is too old and should stick to cable westerns and JESSE STONE tv films. Even Sean Connery got too old for James Bond and now everyone is thinking Daniel Craig. I know McConaughey and his crew can fit the bill because they can do action filled comedy… Read more »