And god said, “Let there be remakes.” That’s how it went, right? Because at this point, only an almighty ordinance could justify the amount of remakes, reboots, and revivals that are headed toward our TV sets. The latest in the ever-growing batch is aMacGyverreboot series at CBS fromFurious 8directorJames Wan.
THRdescribes the put-pilotMacGyverremake as “a reimagining of the television series of the same name, following a 20-something MacGyver as he gets recruited into a clandestine organization where he uses his knack for solving problems in unconventional ways to help prevent disasters from happening.”
NCIS: Los Angelesscribe R.Scott Gemmillis on board to write the script and executive produce.Henry Winkler, who executive produced the original series will return as EP alongside Wan and his Atomic Monster head of productionMichael Clear. Wan also plans to direct the pilot, which would mark is first foray into television. Back in 2012, Wanwas attached to direct New Line’s long-developedMacGyvermoviebefore the project fell through.
Welp, add this to the growing pile of cash-grab reboots. The news comes hot on the heels of word that Fox added aLethal Weaponreboot to their growing pile of remakes and revival series (Behind Enemy Lines, Prison Break, X-Files). Meanwhile, CBS is also developing aTraining Dayseries. Over at The CW they’re working on series adaptations ofThe Notebook,Friday the 13th, and a gritty, dystopic spin onLittle Womenbecause sure why not? Netflix hasFuller House. Showtime hasTwin Peaks. Starz hasAsh vs Evil Dead. And the audience? Well, we mostly have despair. Ok, to be fair,Twin Peaks, Evil DeadandX-Filesare genuinely exciting, but really, the IP cannibalizing is far over the line at this point.
The strangest part is that none of these reboot/remake/revival series have seen major breakout success yet, but the networks seem confident that this is the way to engage viewers.Minority ReportandHeroes: Rebornhave seen a tepid reception, Coach was cancelled before it even made the air. CBS is seeing results from theirLimitlesssequel series, but it’s early days yet. We’ll get an even better read on how hungry audiences really are for the reboot feast whenRush HourandUncle Buckdebut mid-season.
If there’s a saving grace for the MacGyver remake, it’s Wan, who is clearly a major fan of the property (I mean Saw was obviously a twisted manifestation of that, right?), and the s-hot-right-now director seems eager to explore his talents as much as possible while he’s the man about town. Wan is currently in production onThe Conjuring 2, and already hasAquamanandRobotechlined up as his next features. He’s also producing a remake ofThe Entity, an adaptation of the novelThe Boy Who Drew Monsters, and aMortal Kombatreboot.
Reboot, adaptation, sequel, remake, repeat – amiright?
