Recent reports say that CBS is planning to release a "MacGyver" remake series that will be directed by James Wan, the man behind movies "Insidious" and "Furious 7." According to Deadline Hollywood, Wan will be helped by Scott Gemmil of "NCIS: Los Angeles" and "The Unit." Gemmil will be writing the script and will be co-producing the show with Henry Winkler.
However, original MacGyver actor Richard Dean Anderson has earlier expressed his objection about the planned series. The veteran actor thinks that with the advanced technology at present, it will be hard to believe that a man would still rely on his practical knowledge when solving problems. Everybody now has a mobile phone, Anderson said as way of example.
"So for MacGyver to probably not have one and have to fashion one is kind of iffy. He's smart guy, he'd be smart enough to have a cell phone," Anderson said as quoted by Stuff.co.nz. Anderson however noted that if the "MacGyver" remake will feature him as he is now - "older, got graying hair, overweight by 20 pounds, slower and clumsy" - then he is on board.
It seemed fans will not be seeing the original guy after all. According to Deadline, the "MacGyver" series will have a younger protagonist, ten years younger than the protagonist of the 1985 series. The Angus MacGyver that fans will get to watch is a twenty something guy in college, it revealed.
The story may actually focus on MacGyver's days as a college student. Fans will see how he develops his skill and wits of coming up with the most exceptional yet practical solutions to problems that he encounters. He will then be recruited into the underground organization where he will put his knacks into much bigger purpose.
Director Wan always had a young MacGyver in mind ever since he was first asked to do a "MacGyver" film back in 2012. He however had to let go of the project at the time to make "Furious 7."
In an interview with Crave Online in March, Wan revealed that he had always conceptualized a young MacGyver who is studying college in Boston. The character is smart but could never fit in the academe. At one point, this MacGyver had invented something that both the bad men and the good men wanted. However, his invention landed on bad hands and had it weaponized. Everybody will come after MacGyver. The supposed movie will be like the "'Enemy of the State,' if Will Smith had the brains of MacGyver," Wan said.
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