Cinematical

I'm happy he's taking this stance. A lot of us are sick of the TV remakes cluttering the theaters lately. Recently we've been bombarded by The Dukes of Hazzard, The Honeymooners, Bewitched, Miami Vice (which doesn't include film remakes of The Omen, Amityville, House of Wax, The Longest Yard, King Kong, War of the Worlds, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, Bad News Bears, etc.) Heck, Disney's already remade Madagascar (The Wild).

I'm sure there's thousands of ORIGINAL screenplays floating around Hollywood, but they would rather remake existing material than try something new WHICH IS WHAT WE WANT!

You (Hollywood) scratch your head and wonder why box office receipts were down last year when every other movie coming out was a remake of some kind. It's not the expense of tickets or concessions, it's not piracy, it's the fact that we've seen everything already.

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There is not much on this earth in which Tom and I agree, but in this case, he's spot on.

Maybe, now just maybe, the reason it souldn't be made into a film is because TV shows (especially in the 80's) were on TV because they weren't good enough to be films.

The last time a TV show was successfully made into a movie that didn't make me want to run from the theater, screaming, was The Fugitive. I bet there have been no less than 50 TV Shows made into films since then. Sad ratio. You should thank Tom for thinking of you and not his pocket book.

Frankly, were not that far from Father Dowling Mysteries: The Movie. Is Tom Bosley still alive?

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Actually, I think there *should* be a Magnum movie, but make it a sequel to the series. It makes no sense to me to throw some young guy in and make it "wacky" like H'wood has done with so many other porkers.

Those of us who would see a Magnum movie probably wouldn't see a remake like "Dukes of Hazard" but we would see a serious sequel. The whole point of capitalizing on existing franchises is to take advantage of what made them work. Look at how poorly "Dukes" and "Starsky & Hutch" did. Sure, they did OK for what they cost to make, but if you take a franchise that is still remembered, give us a sequel, we'll got see the movie AND spread the word that it's good--unlike "Dukes" which only took one viewing for people to know it was a big dumb movie. Give us something smart and word of mouth with have people checking the film out for weeks.

Seems logical to me.

Oh yeah, and by "sequel" I mean HIRE SELLECK TO REPRISE THE ROLE!

I just saw him on the Daily Show the other night and he still looks great. In fact, he probably looks more mean now than he did when he was still making Magnum the series.

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Original material vs. new material is not the problem some remakes. War of the Worlds made good money in the US and worldwide while Dukes made ok money in the US and pretty much no money worldwide... difference? Topic and quality of film. War of the Worlds is not just a remake it's a markedly different take on the premise than the previous versions and its done very well.. Dukes is just crap with T&A.

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Tom Selleck is right.

A few years back, Tom Clancy, a big Magnum fan, offered to write a film sequel to the series. Universal couldn't even be bothered to take it seriously. Why now and why with someone else?

You want to do a new film? Fine, but how about finishing off the old series with a concluding chapter first?

I hope it bombs.

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A Magnum Movie could be excellent, but I have to agree with Tom Selleck on this one. Universal has hired Michael McCullers to write the screenplay, co-writer of "Undercover Brother", "Austin Powers:The Spy who Shagged Me, and "Austin Powers in Goldmember"... comic spoofs. While there is a large market for slapstick comedy and parody, Magnum is just not the right subject material.

When Magnum PI was released in December of 1981, it was the first television show or movie to show Vietnam veterans in a positive light. Nearly every episode in the first season has subtle, but powerful references to "Nam", as three friends: Magnum, Rick, and TC try to make sense of their lives and find peace in paradise. Remember the reason Magnum is a Private Investiator, is because he left the Navy in a crisis of conscience.

Bellisario always kept the episodes fun, following very serious moments, with Higgins yelling at Magnum or some other running joke. Magnum, Rick, and TC represent a forgotten generation of Americans, normal people left in the wake of Vietnam, only having each other. Magnum's wife died in Vietnam, and TC's left him because after he got back he just wasn't the same person. The characters were real and complex.

Erik - titling your article "Selleck Trashes Magnum PI" is just a low blow. He didn't actually call the movie stupid, he said he would not appear in some "stupid cameo". Get your sources right man? Also, you say "everyone from George Clooney to Vince Vaughn have been considered." I've only heard George Clooney and Vince Vaughn mentioned, and George Clooney's agent has already dismissed claims that Universal has been in contact with Clooney.

My advice is buy the first season on DVD... watch the first 8 episodes, then write another article. Magnum is much more than a PI in a red ferrari short-shorts (they were in style at the time, remember). A slapstick remake would be more than an insult to one of the deepest, most intelligent TV shows ever made, it would be a slap in the face to hundreds of thousands of Vietnam veterans that found solace in watching the antics of Magnum, Rick, TC, and Higgins..as they tried to put thier lives back in order.

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So sad to see a great thing end like this. I can understand Tom Sellecks frustrations. The industry has been jerking his chain for years about Magnum P.I.

I think if a proper Magnum P.I. movie was to ever be made, Tom would have to be the one to write, produce and direct it. Its the way it was done during the show and its the way it would have to be done now. The only cast would have to be the orignal; John Hillerman, Roger Mosely, and Larry Manetti.

If Universal is really serious about making money on this film they would have to let Tom run with it. That just won't happen in today's film industry. I bet this is the real reason why Tom is putting it all to rest.

Its not age or budget or anything else. Hollywood can do anything it wants. Hollywood makes flops all the time. Selleck does not want to see Magnum flop. So unless he has full autonomy he does not want to have anything to do with it.

Tom I applaud your decision, if you don't do the movie I don't want to see it. I'll settle for the 8 season DVD collection which is way better than any Magnum movie Universal comes out with.

Keep up the good work with Jesse Stone, your doing a great job Tom!

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I have to agree with the comments regarding the absurdity of making yet another television-to-film bomb. However, the last success was not "the Fugitive" (which was a wonderful film ... Rest in Peace Andreas Katsulas) but Firefly. A film DEMANDED by fans.
There is no one DEMANDING the remake of Magnum P.I. Despite the fact that it was a great series. Perhaps the reason remakes are what is being made now is because there is nothing worth making anymore ... no one can have a new idea. That's plain tripe!
There is plenty of talent out there. But Hollywood execs have their heads so far up their own collective ***** that they can't seem to bother to read new scripts or take a chance on an unknown commodity/quantity. It's all about being SAFE. Yet, in the process of being safe, they are slowly siphoning the life out of the film industry and strangling their own careers.
How many films has Tom Cruise been in lately? How about Owen Wilson? or that moron Ashton Kutcher? Seriously ... too many.
It's time to stop using the SAME PEOPLE for every stinking film... The SAME TIRED OLD STORIES and move on to something new. All the new generation is going to be remembered for is their ability to recycle junk and turn it into ... wee, more junk.
Tom Selleck has principles and he is to be commended for them. It's too bad there aren't more celebrities like him.

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I agree with everything Eric Firkel said and would like to add my own 2 cents' worth: These characters are classic and must not be played by anyone other than the originals! I can only imagine how amazing it would be to see where they are now and what they're doing, no "slapstick" as Eric said, absolutely not! Some of the episodes were no less than profound and could often spark a heated discussion afterwards (remember when Thomas shot the assasin in cold blood?!). The world is so short of chivalrous 'real' men, and to adulterate the last of this outstanding group of guys (yes I know the characters are make believe but they will always have a place in my heart!) with stupid comedy or girly guys like Clooney would be tragic!! Please do the movie Tom, with a script worthy of the name.

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Has anyone stopped to think about how many years it has taken for Sellek to work his way out of the "Magnum" typecast? For years (and maybe forever) that is all anyone knew him as, despite any other work he has done. The man is an incredible actor and I'm delighted by his recent work on TV in very "complex" and serious roles.

Also to consider are the behind-the-scenes issues that likely occurred with the Magnum show. I know certain music stars are manipulated and molded into an image that isn't necessarily who they are OR WANT TO BE. At the end of it all, they grow disgusted not only with their producers and agents but themselves for selling themselves out like that. Given the Gozillion dollar ZOWIE sex appeal that "Magnum" created and the cutsie mugging to the camara, it is quite easy to formulate a theory that the show's producers and Mr. Selleck's agents may have been on the same track. Who would want to drop back to square one, when that aquare may just represent a boggy soggy quagmire. And while the basis for the show was complex, and they did reference such things OCCASIONALLY, it was more about everything else, which included mostly the fact that Mr. Hot Bod was running around on our screens in shorts or tight pants... Perhaps he wants more to be admired for his talent and what's between his ears rather than what women speculate is between his legs? I don't blame him one bit if that's the case.

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Tom Selleck is Magnum PI, always will be and to suggest that some Girly actor such a Clooney could even come close to doing A Magnum Movie justice is absurd. The rehash of all the classic TV series that are being made has cheapened the movie industry and any cedibility they may ever had. The fools in Hollywood think the public DUPES they can manipulate with special effects and crappy acting by comedic 2nd class actors and fleece us of our hard earned money just to line their collective pockets. I applaude Tom Selleck for his views and his staying out of the remake of Magnum PI. Should someone decide the way to go is have Tom Selleck have full control of the remake or revisit movie then, and only then would I embrace it. Tom, Jess Stone is great and I don't miss any of them. Great Character and great story.

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Great idea.....the team is back together,,,Higgins and "The Lads" return from researching Kamodo dragons..Rick is now a famous WSOP poker winner...TC..now a recovering Crack addict...and of course Thomas who now owns Ricks old bar and drives a Hummer....etc.....etc

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George Clooney isn't half the man that Selleck is. Magnum played by Clooney would be disappointing and laughable. Magnum isn't some metro sexual touchy feely quasi-intellectual. The last think that any true Magnum fan wants is to see someone like that playing the role.

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MOVIE NO.... PERHAPS A NEW SERIES WITH TOM SELLECK AS AN OLDER AND WISER AND PERSONALLY RICHER P.I.. NOT GOING GAGA OVER EVERY GIRL THAT WALKS DOWN THE STREET.
MR. SELLECK IS STILL VERY GOOD LOOKING ... I WOULD WATC
IT.

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NO ONE, absolutely no one can take the place of Tom in Magnum, PI. He was the best, He is the best and I for one still watch his old shows as often as I can. In my book He was the greatest, I don't care how stupid he thinks it was. It was a great show and I love it still.Maybe I am mis-understanding him. The Movie, yesa trash it. It would not be the same w/o Tom Selleck.

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DO THE FILM, TOM!!! DO THE FILM, TOM!!! DO THE FILM, TOM!!! YAY!!!

:D

I, for one, can definitely imagine myself "NOW" getting up and going to the theater to this film, REGARDLESS of what film critics or fans say about it! This is definitely a film I want to see!

But ONLY if Tom Selleck is playing Thomas Magnum!!!

I, for one, adore Tom Selleck in the role of Thomas Magnum! Yep, that's my perfect fantasy man and women so need a high bar these days to serve as the benchmark of what a "real" man is! :)

There are very few roles that capture every good thing about a man . . . and very, very, very, very few actors who can play this one role, in particular. In fact, I can only think of "one" actor . . . Tom Selleck. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being "type-cast" as the "perfect man." Intelligent, clever, sexy, morally strong, and, in short, the modern-day knight in shining armor! And then to get paid a handsome salary and a piece of the theater and video revenue takes for the rest of your life, for a mere couple of months' work? Can anyone say "no-brainer"? Hello?!! :)

I personally will REFUSE to see the Magnum film if there's anyone EXCEPT Tom Selleck in the lead role . . . and I hope all Magnum fans will send the same message to the studios! If you (the studios) make a Magnum movie and Tom Selleck isn't Magnum, then you better call it "Magnum's Friend," or something! :P We're tired of you trying to make money, at our expense, and giving us second-rate wannabes in roles that were perfected by stellar actors. This isn't a tv soap opera, where you bring in another actor and "pretend" it's the same person.

And, for goodness sake, just look at the way they cast a bumbling, fall-down-drunk alcoholic man-ho as the lead in the new Miami Vice movie, thus forever ruining another good television legacy, all in the name of "curb appeal."

One thing's for certain, though . . . we want Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, and we want him NOW! :D

[Tom, "call me."] ;)

I wish!! :)

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I have always been a fan of Tom Selleck. I wish he had made more movies. I always thought that he would end up being a legend movie star like Bogart,but Hollywood I guess didn't see him that way.I hope now that we get to see him more often. I trust his judgement about not doing Magnum.

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While I too am a Magnum fan like thousands of others, and would love to see Tom in this roll. I have to applaude him for this desision. Its great it launched him into stardom, and I am sure he is grateful for that. But like William Shatner said "Get a life"! George Clooney would be great in this role, and their are so many others who would do great. Tom Selleck has moved on in his life, and I say Hollywood do the same.

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If you really want to make a movie--- Make another Quigley.!!!!!!!!!

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Tom Selleck is the greatest no one could replace him as Magnum P I. George Clooney was not a good Batman nor would he be a good Magnum. I love seeing Tom Selleck act and most of all he stands up for his beliefs

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