The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
07-30-09 | 12:37 PM
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The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryId=14&cs=1
Jim Rockford is looking for a comeback.
NBC, Universal Media Studios and Steve Carell's Carousel Television have tapped "House" creator-exec producer David Shore to shepherd a redo of the classic 1974-80 gumshoe drama that starred James Garner and put Stephen J. Cannell on the map as a writer-producer.
Garner's Emmy-winning portrayal of the ex-con private eye who lived in a trailer in Malibu (and usually worked as hard to get his clients to pay up as he did on solving cases) turned Jim Rockford into one of the most indelible characters of the smallscreen. Shore said as a fan of the show himself, he's well aware of how high the bar is set for the remake.
"It's one of the shows that made me want to become a writer," Shore said. "I had no interest in adapting any old stuff, but this was the one exception."
Shore's just starting to think about an approach to bring "The Rockford Files" into the present day, but he intends to stick with the basic foundation of a private eye in L.A. just trying to make a living.
"What makes 'Rockford' timeless is that he's vulnerable, he's flawed. He's used to hustling and getting hustled," Shore said. "Sometimes he's a hero and sometimes he runs away."
The idea for a "Rockford" revival came from Carousel, which inquired about the rights to the Universal TV property after Carousel cut a production pact with Universal Media Studios in January. Laura Lancaster, NBC/UMS' exec veep of drama, knew that Shore was a big "Rockford" buff, and the match was easily made.
"The minute I heard this I said, 'Let's get it on for midseason' ... but we're going to take our time and get it right," said Angela Bromstad, prexy of primetime entertainment for NBC Entertainment and UMS. "We know that David has the right sensibility as a writer to take on this kind of big character."
The original "Rockford" was co-created by Cannell and Roy Huggins, a prolific and influential TV scribe who created "Maverick," the offbeat Western that made Garner a star in the late '50s, and "The Fugitive," among other shows.
"Rockford," which earned the Emmy for drama series in 1978, was a training ground for a number of future biz heavyweights, including scribes David Chase, Juanita Bartlett, Chas. Floyd Johnson and thesps Dennis Dugan and Tom Selleck. Show's strong supporting cast included Noah Beery Jr., Stuart Margolin, Joe Santos and Gretchen Corbett.
I don't have any problem with them doing this since most people probably barely remember the James Garner version and I think they hired the right producer (Shore) to do this, especially with his experience on a character-driven show like House.
So who do you think would make a perfect Jim Rockford for present day?
Jim Rockford is looking for a comeback.
NBC, Universal Media Studios and Steve Carell's Carousel Television have tapped "House" creator-exec producer David Shore to shepherd a redo of the classic 1974-80 gumshoe drama that starred James Garner and put Stephen J. Cannell on the map as a writer-producer.
Garner's Emmy-winning portrayal of the ex-con private eye who lived in a trailer in Malibu (and usually worked as hard to get his clients to pay up as he did on solving cases) turned Jim Rockford into one of the most indelible characters of the smallscreen. Shore said as a fan of the show himself, he's well aware of how high the bar is set for the remake.
"It's one of the shows that made me want to become a writer," Shore said. "I had no interest in adapting any old stuff, but this was the one exception."
Shore's just starting to think about an approach to bring "The Rockford Files" into the present day, but he intends to stick with the basic foundation of a private eye in L.A. just trying to make a living.
"What makes 'Rockford' timeless is that he's vulnerable, he's flawed. He's used to hustling and getting hustled," Shore said. "Sometimes he's a hero and sometimes he runs away."
The idea for a "Rockford" revival came from Carousel, which inquired about the rights to the Universal TV property after Carousel cut a production pact with Universal Media Studios in January. Laura Lancaster, NBC/UMS' exec veep of drama, knew that Shore was a big "Rockford" buff, and the match was easily made.
"The minute I heard this I said, 'Let's get it on for midseason' ... but we're going to take our time and get it right," said Angela Bromstad, prexy of primetime entertainment for NBC Entertainment and UMS. "We know that David has the right sensibility as a writer to take on this kind of big character."
The original "Rockford" was co-created by Cannell and Roy Huggins, a prolific and influential TV scribe who created "Maverick," the offbeat Western that made Garner a star in the late '50s, and "The Fugitive," among other shows.
"Rockford," which earned the Emmy for drama series in 1978, was a training ground for a number of future biz heavyweights, including scribes David Chase, Juanita Bartlett, Chas. Floyd Johnson and thesps Dennis Dugan and Tom Selleck. Show's strong supporting cast included Noah Beery Jr., Stuart Margolin, Joe Santos and Gretchen Corbett.
So who do you think would make a perfect Jim Rockford for present day?
07-30-09 | 12:42 PM
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From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
It would be hard for me to watch someone else play Jim Rockford. The creator of House is doing this? Meh.
07-30-09 | 12:47 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
I was only 7 years old when the original show ended and barely remember seeing a few re-runs here and there. So, I don't have any special attachment to seeing Garner is the "Only" Jim Rockford. I think it's all a matter of who they cast as Rockford and how well the Pilot goes once they get a script.
It sounds like they are trying to get this ready for midseason 2010.
It sounds like they are trying to get this ready for midseason 2010.
07-30-09 | 12:52 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Well, the previous 2 remakes had some serious production/creative problems.
1) Bionic Woman: Re-shot most of the Pilot and re-casted the sister. Production budget was well over $6M an episode. The original showrunner quit and they had to borrow Jason Katims from Friday Night Lights to oversee the show.
2) Knight Rider: Hired Gary Scott Thompson as showrunner and he essentially forgot the Pilot movie ever happened. The show got better near the end, but I blame bad writing for this one's demise.
1) Bionic Woman: Re-shot most of the Pilot and re-casted the sister. Production budget was well over $6M an episode. The original showrunner quit and they had to borrow Jason Katims from Friday Night Lights to oversee the show.
2) Knight Rider: Hired Gary Scott Thompson as showrunner and he essentially forgot the Pilot movie ever happened. The show got better near the end, but I blame bad writing for this one's demise.
07-30-09 | 12:54 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Nope, but even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. They clearly see this as a procedural crime solving series... something they don't currently have in their arsenal with which the other two big networks are pounding them in the ratings. This certainly isn't a slam dunk, but it certainly is a better (lower budget) remake compared to The Bionic Woman or Knight Rider. What's next? Magnum P.I. or Hardcastle and McCormick? 
Last edited by rfduncan; 07-30-09 at 01:50 PM.
07-30-09 | 01:13 PM
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07-30-09 | 01:15 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Jeffrey Dean Morgan has the gravitas necessary to play Jim Rockford.
Last edited by Barry Woodward; 07-30-09 at 01:25 PM.
07-30-09 | 01:23 PM
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07-30-09 | 01:27 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
David Boreanaz and Nathan Fillion would be great choices as well if they weren't already attached to other series.
07-30-09 | 01:47 PM
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07-30-09 | 02:40 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
I loved Rockford and the reimage could be disastrous.
But in the right hands it could be fun.
Here's a grouping that fits the age profile, Garner was mid 40's when he started the role. Some of these guys may not be ready for TV, others might be just ready...
David Duchovny - Not charismatic enough?
Hugh Grant - possible inspired choice
Matt Dillon - Not cool enough?
Rob Lowe - Nah
Eric Bana - Nah
Keanu Reeves - Probably not ready for TV, not a good fit regardless
Robert Downey Jr. - Too big for TV now, but would be awesome
John Cusack - My Choice
Matthew Fox - I think he would want to give film a shot for the next few years, not a great fit regardless
Kiefer Sutherland - too soon
Liev Schrieber - solid, but can he handle the wryness?
Michael Vartan - Could be Solid
Brendan Fraser - Could be Solid, but not ready for tv I think
Josh Holloway - Could be very! solid
Christian Slater - don't think he can pull it off
Matthew Perry - not as bad as it looks
Matthew McConaughey - could be great, but not ready for tv
I'd love to see Cusak, Holloway or MM give this a run...
But in the right hands it could be fun.
Here's a grouping that fits the age profile, Garner was mid 40's when he started the role. Some of these guys may not be ready for TV, others might be just ready...
David Duchovny - Not charismatic enough?
Hugh Grant - possible inspired choice
Matt Dillon - Not cool enough?
Rob Lowe - Nah
Eric Bana - Nah
Keanu Reeves - Probably not ready for TV, not a good fit regardless
Robert Downey Jr. - Too big for TV now, but would be awesome
John Cusack - My Choice
Matthew Fox - I think he would want to give film a shot for the next few years, not a great fit regardless
Kiefer Sutherland - too soon
Liev Schrieber - solid, but can he handle the wryness?
Michael Vartan - Could be Solid
Brendan Fraser - Could be Solid, but not ready for tv I think
Josh Holloway - Could be very! solid
Christian Slater - don't think he can pull it off
Matthew Perry - not as bad as it looks
Matthew McConaughey - could be great, but not ready for tv
I'd love to see Cusak, Holloway or MM give this a run...
07-30-09 | 03:06 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Um, NBC has Law and Order. Maybe you've heard of it...
Last edited by Double_Oh_7; 07-30-09 at 03:08 PM.
07-30-09 | 03:10 PM
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07-30-09 | 04:44 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
The biggest problem with this idea is that so much of the character came from James Garner. He made Jim Rockford. Short of someone trying to imitate him (a recipe for certain disaster), they either need to find someone who can deliver that same perfect combination of wit and world-weary cynicism without looking forced (a tough sell for most), or else they will have to "reimagine" the character. But if they do that, then why call it The Rockford Files?
07-30-09 | 04:57 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
The biggest problem with this idea is that so much of the character came from James Garner. He made Jim Rockford. Short of someone trying to imitate him (a recipe for certain disaster), they either need to find someone who can deliver that same perfect combination of wit and world-weary cynicism without looking forced (a tough sell for most), or else they will have to "reimagine" the character. But if they do that, then why call it The Rockford Files?
Yep. I don't know why they can't just do a new private detective show.
07-30-09 | 05:40 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Well, I guess I can understand the appeal this could have for the network. Jim Rockford was very atypical as a TV PI. I think that is one reason the show lasted as long as it did (along with James Garner's talent). They must think they can recapture that magic. But then they think they need to "improve" on it, and then they fail.
07-31-09 | 12:34 AM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Without James Garner, it just isn't going to work, sorry. His performance made that show.
Anyone old enough to remember the original Rockford Files isn't going to watch it without James Garner, and I can't see another weekly detective show appealing to people who don't know the old show.
Anyone old enough to remember the original Rockford Files isn't going to watch it without James Garner, and I can't see another weekly detective show appealing to people who don't know the old show.
07-31-09 | 02:56 AM
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07-31-09 | 11:00 AM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Without James Garner, it just isn't going to work, sorry. His performance made that show.
Anyone old enough to remember the original Rockford Files isn't going to watch it without James Garner, and I can't see another weekly detective show appealing to people who don't know the old show.
Anyone old enough to remember the original Rockford Files isn't going to watch it without James Garner, and I can't see another weekly detective show appealing to people who don't know the old show.
07-31-09 | 05:08 PM
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re: The Rockford Files remake in development with star David Boreanaz
Without James Garner, it just isn't going to work, sorry. His performance made that show.
Anyone old enough to remember the original Rockford Files isn't going to watch it without James Garner, and I can't see another weekly detective show appealing to people who don't know the old show.
Anyone old enough to remember the original Rockford Files isn't going to watch it without James Garner, and I can't see another weekly detective show appealing to people who don't know the old show.
