An Exclusive Interview with Rawson Marshall Thurber, Director of Dodgeball, & Magnum P.I. (http://www.pajiba.com/interview-with-rawson-marshall-thurber.htm)
The writer and director of Dodgeball is set to bravely attempt to do what no director has done before: remake a television series for the big screen that audiences (and maybe even critics) will actually enjoy. Indeed, Thurber has been attached to write and direct Magnum P.I. for Universal Studios, which will be produced by Brian Grazer via Imagine Entertainment.
After Dodgeball came out and did pretty well, my agents, very smartly, counseled me to “capture the value” of the moment: essentially, hurry out and sign a big deal to make a similar movie — a comedy about darts players or a romantic comedy about curling or something — which, of course, is very sound advice if your goal is to make lots of money. That really wasn’t my goal. On top of which, I have director friends who’ve made a successful comedy, then follow it up with another comedy and then they’re stuck. They only get to make comedies for the rest of their careers. You get type-cast that quickly in Hollywood — just like actors.
I love comedies. I’ll always love comedies. I hope to make more of them for many years to come. But that’s not all I love. When a friend calls me up and asks me to go see a thriller, I don’t say, “Sorry, man, I only like comedies.” My tastes, like most people’s, run the gamut, and I want to make the films that I’m interested in making, regardless of genre.
Ultimately, the whole process of making a film, all the trucks, the lights and the cameras — all of it — is only a very sophisticated recording device. We’re all there to record what the actors do. If the recording is no good, it won’t matter how well it’s framed or lit, or how cool the special effects are. People go to movies to be told a good story, and, as corny as it sounds, good stories are told by telling the truth. The more truth you can get on film, the better. And, as much as the writer in me hates to admit it, one look from a great actor beats the pants off a great monologue. It’s not even close.
Pajiba: Your next project is Magnum P.I. How do you plan to approach the remake?
RMT: With respect, ultimately. I was a fan of the series, but I wouldn’t characterize myself as a fanboy of the series — though two of my closest friends are and remind me of that daily. The show itself struck such a smart balance of mystery, comedy, action, and character that I hope to emulate it as much as possible. The Magnum movie will be very much like Beverly Hills Cop in tone: basically an action movie that’s funny because the main character himself is funny, not because Magnum and Higgins have to dress up in chicken suits to break into a birthday party. 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.
In terms of timeline, the film is, essentially, a genesis story. It’s Magnum Begins. When we meet Magnum, he’s not yet a private investigator, but by the time the story ends, he’s hung up his shingle. I’m working through a first draft now, and it’s been so much fun — currently Magnum and TC are bickering in a sugar cane field that’s been lit ablaze by the bad guys. It’s going to be an unapologetically great action movie. That’s a promise.
Pajiba: I understand that no one has yet been cast as Magnum. Do you have a wish list, and will you put our readers at rest: Can you confirm or deny that Ben Affleck is in the running?
RMT: I do have a wish list, yes. A very short one. And, for the record, Magnum has yet to be cast. Though I can’t directly confirm or deny the Ben Affleck rumors, I was as surprised as everyone else when I saw the notion pop up online. It’s been strange seeing the rumor mill at work. I’ve seen some Magnum stuff online that had me scratching my head. I have no idea how these things get started, but I can say, with absolute certainty, that no one has been cast as Magnum and that we haven’t even opened the doors yet. I’m still writing. When the script’s done, we’ll find our man and, if we land one of the guys I’m thinking of, Magnum fans everywhere will rejoice. Trust me.
1 comment:
Magnum fans will most certainly not "rejoice". With all due respect to the director, people want to see Magnum (Tom Selleck), not some wannabe. The director and the studio need to take a look on the web, or run a poll, they will see that people want the original cast. Fans want to know what became of the original Magnum. What happened to him after he went back to Naval Intelligence. Perhaps you could make a film that includes Selleck as Magnum and covers his later years, and at the same time, make a new Magnum. The film could focus primarily on his daughter, who is following in daddy's footsteps. This way, everyone is happy.
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