Reboots are as popular among television studios as they are among movie studios, as evidenced by Hawaii 5-0 starting this fall and Charlie’s Angels rumored to be getting a TV reboot as well. Even though a few rebooted shows have already failed – like Knight Rider and Bionic Woman – that hasn’t slowed NBC Studio Execs’ enthusiasm regarding a reboot for The Rockford Files.
The last we heard about The Rockford Files was that the Dermot Mulroney pilot co-starring Alan Tudyk and Beau Bridges had been cancelled after the suits at NBC watched it and thought “UGH!” (I’m paraphrasing). It would seem that even though the first attempt at rebooting the show failed, NBC is still high on making The Rockford Files happen.
Assuming Mulroney is now out of the question to play the lead of Jim Rockford (who ever thought he would be a good choice anyway?), one wonders who would be cool, cocky and have enough humor and swagger to fill the gumshoes’…shoes?
Rumor has it that the name being heard around the NBC water coolers is none other than “Sawyer” from Lost, Josh Holloway. As Entertainment Weekly Michael Ausiello hears it:
…there are no serious talks going on at this time. Meanwhile, House exec producer David Shore—who is shepherding the reboot along with Steve Carell’s Carousel Prods and Peter Berg’s Film 44—concedes that Holloway is a “viable choice,” but adds that “it’s too premature” to start naming names.
David Shore also said:
NBC is still high on the project and they would like it to happen. Peter Berg’s involved producing and possibly directing and we will be looking for a new lead.
With his woman-pleasing good looks, ability to deliver sharp-witted dialog and not too shabby acting – Holloway is quickly becoming a hot commodity in Tinsel Town. At the beginning of summer, it was rumored Marvel was courting Holloway for a role in an upcoming superhero movie (though this was later denied).
I’m not big on rebooting shows, but if studios absolutely have to do it, then casting the proper people in the most iconic roles is a must. In this case, I don’t think they could go wrong with Holloway. I could see Holloway playing an extension of the original Jim Rockford as his son (after all, James Garner is still alive and well), who takes over his dad’s business.
NBC, I just gave you a great idea for a pilot, feel free to use it.
In order for a show like this to survive the reboot process, it has to be able to appease and draw in the original audience as well as entice younger viewers. Casting Holloway as Rockford’s son and including Garner as a secondary character would accomplish both those tasks. Of course if the writing and dialog stink, then this show has no hope for survival at all.
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