Earlier today, we reported that CBS wants to revive the classic Western series, The Rifleman. They’ve signed Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier to a script deal and Harry Potter director Chris Columbus is on board to direct the pilot episode if the project gets that far.
As fans of the old ABC TV series know, the original Western is set in New Mexico and stars former pro-baseball player Chuck Connors as tough rancher named Lucas McCain. A widower, he’s a single dad to his only son, Mark (Johnny Crawford). Lucas is also a crack shot with a Winchester rifle but uses it only when necessary.
Connors died from lung cancer in 1992 but Crawford is still active in the industry. He continued to act when the show went off the air in 1963 and currently focuses on music. He’s a singer and leads the California-based Johnny Crawford Orchestra which specializes in vintage dance music.
Crawford tells us that he finds the possibility of a new Rifleman series “intriguing.” We asked if he’d be interested in being connected with a new show in some way and Crawford said, “I would love to be involved as an actor, director or music supervisor. I’ve always loved Westerns and I loved working on the original series.” He noted, “It was a great childhood.”
Crawford kept in touch with Connors up until the latter’s demise. They actually reprised their beloved roles not long before Connors died, in a 1991 Kenny Rogers TV movie called The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.
What do you think? If the new Rifleman series gets made, would you like to see Crawford involved somehow? In a cameo role or something more permanent?
Yes yes yes I love this show and all my sibleys do also all 12 of them . I love them both Lucy’s and Mark… this show with single father is so right on in today’s times. I watch every Sat 6am to 12.. I get upset like today when it is replace with the walking Dead. which I don’t like.. yes yes yes Johhy Crawford should be permanent. … why question it in the new chow…. he is and always will be adorable.. and perfect chemistry between the father son… please let fans know…. also Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.… Read more »
I definitely vote yes. My brother loved this show, I was too young to remember it well, but love to watch the reruns. Great show. Love the McCains and Micah. I wish they would seriously think about bringing it back or any show with Johnny Crawford. They sure don’t make family shows like The Rifleman anymore…pretty sad.
I vote for the Rifleman, great personal stories between Pa and son. Give Ten Stars, and great cast/
I would love to see JOHNNY in the show
Lynn you are sooo right and this show fits right in. so does Dr Quinn Medicine Women
I would like to see Johnny Crawford in a lead role. Loved the Rifleman.
Grew up watching the Rifleman with my dad. Love the show. Would love to see a remake. So I vote yes, yes, yes! Just cast it right.
Yes… bring back Johnny Crawford and the series. It will be very difficult to find the right actor to play Lucas McCain because Chuck Connors was one of a kind. Who else could pull off that look into the camera in the opening sequence after he fires that Winchester ?? NOBODY… maybe Crawford could play Micah Torrance ? And I could see Kurt Russell as a main character if he would consider it. Please make the series but keep it simple With some family morals and good stories like the original that’s what we need more of.
Kurt Russel would be a perfect fit he is awsome and is a great actor and has those squinty eyes like Chuck Connors who played the original Lucas and always be Pa . to Johnny Crawford
The Rifleman was a great show they don’t make shows like that anymore. Bringing it back would be great but very difficult because there was only one Chuck Connors and he was ” The Rifleman ” It was a family show and Johnny Crawford was the perfect child actor to play Mark McCain. It’s like bringing back Bonanza, how can you find another Michael Landon ( little Joe ) and Dan Blocker ( Hoss ) it’s impossible. I have seen every episode of the old Rifleman many times over and still watch them. Great memories… I say give it a… Read more »
I think the world needs a show like this again, and it would be great for Johnny to be involved in whatever way he can—-many are still out there who are true fans of his and the late Chuck Connors and would be excited to see this show again—I would love to see the black and white scenes as flashbacks from Mark as he returns home to see what now stands on the land he and his dad loved —Please do it soon!! we are waiting!!! Thanks!!
I would’ve love to see a new Rifleman show come out!! I grew up watching the original shows.
I remember the show as a child and now watch it on METV. Would be nice to see who would be the new Rifleman and his son and the others of North Folk.
I think it would be Awesome Mark coming back to North Fork to reclaim the family ranch! He visits his fathers grave to pay respects when he starts having problems with land developers who want his land. Being the son of Lucas we can imagine what happens next!
I would love to see the New Rifleman take place and definitely have e Johnny Crawford involved. I love to watch the Rifleman on MeTv. !
I would love to see the series return! The Rifleman is my favorite western series and I would love to see it reborn! We need more wholesome shows to come back. It would be awesome if Johnny Crawford was involved as an actor in the new series! To me, that would be the icing on on the proverbial cake!
The Rifleman was a good western moral guide to life. Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford were great roll models for young kids! I do hope to see a reboot of the series might be what America needs right now!
Hoesntly would love to see hin in the show or I may not wact it actually if he was to take his fshow fathers role
I reallythink that the would be the only reason that I woull watch the show to be honest
YES YES!! lOVE THE RIFLEMAN!! I DO NOT LIKE IT ON SATURDAYS WHEN THEY SHOW WALKING DEAD IN ITS PLACE… SERIOUSLY…. JUST SAYING!! LEAVE WALING DEAD ON ANOTHER SPOT NOT ON OUR WESTERN SPOT!!