The Continuing Saga of BECOMING MAGNUM

MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE

You can also go to www.becomingmagnum.com and register to follow my Journey of BECOMING MAGNUM and getting myself cast in the MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE.

This Blog is intended to do the following:

Keep you informed on the status of the MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE, as well as news/information about TOM SELLECK. In additon, I will be adding information about the continuing saga of developing BECOMING MAGNUM, and getting it financed, and then once in production:

I will be providing updates about the process of Digital Filmmaking, the development of the Web Series, my transformation using ISAGENIX Cleansing Products (www.becomingmagnum.isagenix.com) for my weight loss, as well as highlights from the overall journey. Between November 22, 2007 and March 4, 2008 I have lost 63 lbs effortlessly. My original starting weight was 440 lbs, and today I currently weigh 377 lbs. IF you know of anyone who has been struggling with their weight, I highly recommend you send them to www.becomingmagnum.isagenix.com and have them look at the 30 DAY CLEANSE Products.

SO HERE WE GO...

Magnum Uncaged?
Oscar winner reportedly up for TV-to-film project.
by Stax

September 4, 2007 - Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is rumored to be up for the title role in the long-gestating feature film adaptation of the 1980s TV series Magnum P.I., to be directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. Reports have circulated everywhere from Star Magazine and The Daily Express to MonstersAndCritics.com that Cage is considering playing Thomas Magnum, a role originated by Tom Selleck on TV, in the Universal movie. According to The Daily Express, "Nicolas likes the mix of comedy and crime-solving in the script." The paper also claims that the project fell apart 18 months ago when Ricky Gervais rejected the notion of playing Higgins to George Clooney's Magnum. The story goes that, should Cage sign on, casting will then commence for the role of Higgins, Magnum's Brit sidekick. The film would reportedly be due out in 2009. Could this be yet another pre-strike movie being rushed into production? We'll see.


McConaughey as Magnum? An interesting casting possibility.
by Paul Davidson

January 17, 2007 - Blonde-haired Matthew McConaughey with a moustache, fit out with shorts and a Hawaiian tee, driving a Ferrari down a palm tree-lined avenue. Is that a close enough approximation of Magnum P.I. for you? It might have to do. It's been a while since we heard what was happening with the feature film remake of Magnum P.I., but according to the UK's Teletext, writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber (Dodgeball) has finished his latest draft for the film and named McConaughey as his choice to play the suave Hawaiian detective. The same report pegs Steve Zahn (Sahara) as Rick, Tyrese Gibson (2 Fast 2 Furious) as TC the chopper pilot, and William H. Macy as Higgins (ER), British war veteran and caretaker of the estate where Magnum lodges. Actually, Macy as Higgins sounds pretty cool, provided he can act British. And as for McConaughey, well, he might do if he can shake that Southern accent and assume a slightly more serious demeanor. So is this for real? Hard to say until the studio makes an official statement. It's interesting to note, though, that three of the four key cast members — McConaughey, Zahn, and Macy — all appeared together in the Clive Cussler novel-based Sahara. Did Thurber see some kind of chemistry there he liked? Stay tuned for updates.

Update on Magnum P.I. Series producer speaks.
by Paul Davidson

June 13, 2006 - The Magnum P.I. motion picture is one project that's been stuck in development hell for years. Is it ever going to get made? UGO.com posed that question to Charles Floyd Johnson, one of the producers of the original Magnum television series. Johnson is optimistic about the film and thinks it'll come to pass eventually. The current hold-up for Magnum, however, is the script. Also of interest is the fact that Tom Selleck, the star of the 1980s TV series, spoiled his opportunity to make several Magnum P.I. TV movies in place of a theatrical release. "I know for a fact that there was a script that Imagine developed that they didn't really feel captured the essence of the series, so they're on to a second writer now. Don Bellisario and Glen Larson have both been contacted about being consultants and executive producers, but I think it's going to be a Brian Grazer movie. I think it will happen, but I don't know," Johnson said. "I have heard, as you probably have, various ideas about who they would cast as Magnum. George Clooney I keep hearing and Ben Affleck I've heard once as well, but Clooney has denied it on occasion. I think there's a reality to it and I think it will be wonderful, but unfortunately it won't star Tom. He was asked to do six or eight TV movies and at that time he really wanted to do it as a feature, so he held out on it and probably now they will consider him too old to do it."

Magnum Movie Without Selleck Is Clooney still in the running?
by Paul Davidson

May 1, 2006 - Tom Selleck, who starred as the original Thomas Magnum in the hit 1980's television series, has confirmed he will not be joining the cast of the upcoming Magnum, P.I. motion picture. Selleck's name has long been included in discussions about the project, but reprising the role that made him famous has always seemed unlikely, given Selleck's age (61) and limited marketability for big-budget movies.

"I won't be in [Magnum P.I.], and I won't be doing some stupid cameo," he told the press caustically, as he laid to rest long-lived speculation of his involvement. George Clooney, a star every bit as suave as Magnum's persona, has also been persistently rumored to be a candidate for the character. Moviehole added credence to that possibility last month, saying the former surgeon from ER was still the studio's favorite for the part. However, according to the same site, Vince Vaughn (The Lost World, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story) is also a frontrunner.

The Stax Report on Magnum, P.I. Stax casts the big-screen version of the TV series!
by Stax

January 24, 2006 - Stax here with my take on the big-screen adaptation of the 1980s TV series Magnum P.I.! The trades are reporting that Universal Pictures has tapped Dodgeball helmer Rawson Marshall Thurber to write and direct the feature version. The Hollywood Reporter said Thurber "is not making a spoof but rather something akin to the tone of the show, which mixed humor and danger. The story line for the film sees Magnum, with the help of his former military pals, searching for a missing buddy." Although the trade says Magnum won't be a spoof, it's tough not to suspect that the pic will veer more towards comedy since Thurber made Dodgeball and the last screenwriter Universal hired for Magnum was Austin Powers' Michael McCullers. So for the purposes of this casting column, I will offer up suggestions for both a straightforward Magnum P.I. movie and a send-up.

Thomas Magnum: For the more serious Magnum, I think the oft-mentioned George Clooney would be an ideal choice to assume the role first played by Tom Selleck. The rumor mill suggests that Clooney has always wanted to play Magnum; Hugh Jackman might not be bad for it, either. For a Magnum spoof, I could see Dodgeball's Vince Vaughn sporting a false mustache and decked out in Hawaiian shirt and short shorts.

Jonathan Higgins III: I was spitballing my casting ideas with an industry friend of mine and we both thought the idea of casting Sir Ian McKellen as Higgins, whether the film is a flat-out comedy or not, was too great to pass up. The image of McKellen surrounded by a bunch of alpha males, well, the scenes just write themselves.

Theodore 'TC' Calvin: If Magnum is played for laughs then Bernie Mac would be perfect to portray Magnum's chopper pilot pal TC. If not then how about Don Cheadle? It'd be even better if his Ocean's co-star George Clooney was playing Magnum.

Orville 'Rick' Wright: Ben Stiller is the new Larry Manetti. Can't you just see him, Vaughn, Bernie Mac and McKellen on the poster? A more reasonable choice, though, might be Paul Rudd. He could work in the role whether it's played as a comedy or a drama. While Rudd has played the buddy in such comedies as Anchorman and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, he's also earned his dramatic chops in such films as The Cider House Rules and Romeo + Juliet.

Magnum P.I. Still Alive Long gestating project gets a writer-director.
by Paul Davidson

January 24, 2006 - It seemed for a while that nothing was happening with the Magnum P.I. movie, but at last some activity is evident. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 30-year-old Rawson Marshall Thurber is Universal's pick to both write and direct the adaptation of CBS's popular detective show. Thurber also wrote and directed the recent comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The news suggests that Universal Pictures was unhappy with the direction their existing script took the film, and wanted time to reconsider.

IGN FilmForce readers may recall that another screenplay for Magnum P.I. was already finished back in 2004. George Clooney has been suggested in the past as a candidate for the part of Thomas Magnum, war veteran and independent gumshoe. There's no telling whether he's still keen on the part, but Tom Selleck, who was made famous by his role in the original '80s series, is almost certainly too old by now. With Thurber starting on a new script, Magnum's return could still be a ways off. Hopefully, the coming months will bring more news on the project.

Script Finalized on Magnum P.I. Movie Clooney probably won't be Magnum.
by Paul Davidson

July 15, 2004 - Fans of '80s detective dramas will be interested to know that progress continues on the Magnum P.I. feature film. In fact, Filmrot.com did some of their own investigating, and learned that a script for the movie is now complete. Universal is looking for cast and a director at this very moment. The big question right now is: who's going to play the suave, mustachioed sleuth? A recent poll taken by USA Today says that Tom Selleck, Mr. Thomas Magnum himself, is still the most popular candidate for the role; Universal has indicated, however, that they are not considering the actor, who is now a good deal older than when the TV show ran. It seems Selleck would like another shot, but he probably won't get it. George Clooney is also not a likely choice at this time, despite the rumors surrounding his name. Universal is not commenting on Clooney's potential involvement yet. Rapper L.L. Cool J (Deep Blue Sea) is also reportedly up for the part of T.C. Calvin.

Is Magnum P.I. Cool? Rapper-actor linked with supporting role.
by Stax

March 17, 2004 - Greg's Previews at Yahoo! Movies is reporting that rapper-actor L.L. Cool J (S.W.A.T.) is up for the supporting role of Thomas "T.C." Calvin in the big-screen remake of Magnum P.I.. Universal Studios and Imagine Entertainment are making the feature version of the 1980s TV series. George Clooney may play the title role made famous by Tom Selleck. Greg's Previews claims that "LL has met recently about playing T.C., was received positively by Bryan Grazer and is the top choice for the role. The identities of the actors who might play Rick and Higgins are not yet known." L.L. Cool J's other film credits include Any Given Sunday and Deep Blue Sea.

From Batman to Magnum P.I.? The rumored big-screen replacement for Tom Selleck.
by Stax

November 21, 2003 - According to The Internet Movie Database (via WENN), George Clooney wants to star as the big-screen Magnum P.I. Universal and Imagine Entertainment are developing the feature film version of the hit TV series that ran on CBS from 1980-88 and starred Tom Selleck as mustachioed Vietnam vet-turned-Hawaii private dick Thomas Sullivan Magnum.

Screenwriter Michael McCullers (the Austin Powers sequels and the forthcoming Thunderbirds) is scripting the film version.

The IMDb, citing "pals" of Clooney's, claims that the Magnum role is one that the former Batman has long (and secretly) "coveted." "He's wanted to play three characters since he started acting – Danny Ocean in Ocean's Eleven, Hannibal in The A-Team and Magnum," says the source. "He's had The A-Team movie in the works for a while now, so he's been chasing this one really hard."

The site says that Magnum P.I. hopes to lens next year and "will feature the brand new $800,000 Ferrari Enzo sports car in place of Magnum's classic Ferrari 308 Gts." The IMDb adds that "the identities of who will play Magnum's side-kicks Theodore 'TC' Calvin, Orville 'Rick' Wright and Jonathan Quayle Higgins III – played by Roger E Mosley, Larry Manetti and John Hillerman in the TV original – are being kept top secret."

Magnum Movie The '80s series comes to the big screen.
by Brian Linder

September 24, 2003 - According to today's Variety, Universal Pictures has picked up the movie rights to the classic detective series Magnum, P.I. The trade tips that Imagine Entertainment chairman Brian Grazer will co-produce a film based on the CBS series which aired from 1980-1988. Grazer will produce with Donald Bellisario, the co-creator of the series. There's no word on the tone of the film, but don't be surprised if it's heavy on comedy. Screenwriter Michael McCullers (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Goldmember) has reportedly been hired to pen the script. McCullers also wrote the screenplay for the forthcoming Thunderbirds feature film and he has penned the script for Universal and Imagine's Curious George movie. The original series starred Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a former Navy officer who is hired by the mysterious Robin Masters to serve as head of security for his Hawaiian estate. Magnum, who worked on the side as a private investigator, had frequent run-ins with the estate's caretaker Jonathan Higgins.

AND HERE'S WHAT FANS OF MAGNUM P.I./TOM SELLECK have to say about TOM SELLECK not being cast in the MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE...

IGNFF Mailbag:

5/04/06 Transformers, Superman and Magnum P.I.

In today's edition of IGN FilmForce mailbag, we have readers' feedback on the casting of the human roles in The Transformers movie, thoughts on Lois Lane in Superman Returns, as well as a reaction to the recent news that Tom Selleck will not be starring in the big-screen version of Magnum P.I.. As always, keep those letters coming!

Magnum P.I.
I don't know if anyone is thinking where you are, but you're all absolute morons if you don't use the original cast. Anything else is an utter farce, and won't bring you a dime. The Starsky and Hutch remake was terrible. Why won't Hollywood ever give the fans what we want, and that is the original cast back? We've all grown older, it makes such sense to show how they have, too.
--Marie/Magwriter

While we may all be "absolute morons" here, it must be pointed out that we're not the filmmakers. Thus, blaming us for not bringing back Tom Selleck is pointless. That said, the studio probably believes Selleck lacks box office appeal and they want someone starring the new movie who has it. Just a thought.
--Stax


IGNFF Mailbag:

1/27/06 Your thoughts on the Magnum movie.

Hello and welcome to another edition of the IGN FilmForce Mailbag. Today readers respond to this week's news that the Magnum P.I. feature is indeed alive and kicking!

Magnum P.I.
I agree with your choices in casting of the Magnum movie, if it's more toward a serious angle, why not Tom Selleck I say. Otherwise if not him, Magnum I think is good for George Clooney, Mel Gibson too. As for TC Ving Rhames if it's serious, or LL Cool J might work. Higgins is a tough one for me, I initially thought John Cleese. But I think Anthony Hopkins would be good too. Rick's casting, I liked your idea of Paul Rudd, he seems to be a good fit. Well just some thoughts from a fan. --Patrick

It has to be Selleck!
--Peter

True Magnum PI fans want to see the original cast! Magnum PI was all about the relationship of the characters and fans want to see what has happened to them in the last 18-20 years. Make a movie for we Baby Boomers instead of 14 year old boys! The only complete remake of a television show that ever worked was The Fugitive.
--Paul

Magnum P.I.
To tell you the truth, I'd like to have the original cast back! Tom Selleck has always said that he has wondered what ever happened to Magnum. A story with an older Magnum in current times would be awesome! We'd get to see what he has been up to all these years. However, if they want to start the franchise over again, then new cast members makes the most sense. I'd like for the original cast to make a television movie at least before the movie came out. Whoever plays Magnum has some pretty big shoes to fill. Selleck was perfect for the role. I'd go as far to say that whoever plays Magnum will have a harder time filling those shoes than Brandon Routh does for Christopher Reeve.
--Ryan

Hellz ya!!
Hi. I would love to see the original cast of the television series Magnum P.I. (Tom Selleck, Larry Manetti, Roger Mosley, and John Hillerman) star in the upcoming Magnum P.I. movie. Tom Selleck, especially. He IS Magnum P.I, and it just wouldn't be the same (or nearly as good) to have anyone else play that role. Thanks for your time.
--Joanna

Magnum's a tough call so i'll get to that later.
Higgins, i'd say Paul Giamatti because of the build but maybe Phillip Seymour Hoffman because he's got the chops to do just about anything. I must say, Ian Mackellen would be funny. Bernie Mac would be the obvious choice for T.C. if they went comedy styles but they could go overboard and choose Chris Rock which would be a shame although not as bad as Cedric the Entertainer. Rick, Stiller and Rudd are true champs but Stiller was already Starsky or Hutch, I can't remember. so, i'd go with Rudd but throw in Thomas Jane as a consideration. Now Magnum, Jackman's got the look but he doesn't have the charisma. Ben Affleck might be a good call or even Jason Lee would be great. anyway, those are my two cents.
--Paul

Please make it more like the old show, no spoof!!!
--Michael I want to see Hugh Jackman my current favorite as Magnum, one of my all time favorites!!!
--Aellison Tuesday