Back in October, it was revealed thatJames Wanis set to executive produce aMacGyverremake for CBS. The filmmaker was originally slated to direct the pilot episode, but he was forced to back out due to scheduling conflicts withThe Conjuring 2. While CBS did issue a series order for the remake last month, they are actually scrapping this pilot and reshooting it withJames Wanat the helm, and a new concept.
Deadlinereports thatLucas TillandGeorge Eadsare still staying on board, withTillplayingAngus MacGyverandGeorge Eadsplaying a new character, but the rest of the cast will be replaced.Justin Hiresrecently signed on to play Wilt Bozer, Angus' ambitious roommate. No other cast members have come aboard quite yet.
The original premise followed MacGyver as he was recruited into a secret government organization by the U.S. Government, where he uses his unusual skills to solve problems in an unconventional way. The new premise features MacGyver actually creating this clandestine organization within the government.George Eadsis still playing a “maverick former CIA agent,” but his character’s name is now Jack Dalton, instead of Lincoln, who goes on these missions withMacGyver. No other differences between the original premise and this new take were revealed, and it isn’t known if any of the footage shown in thefirst trailerwill be salvaged for this new pilot.
Peter Lenkov(Hawaii Five-0) wrote the pilot script for thisnew versionof the show.R. Scott Gemmill(NCIS: Los Angeles) was originally set to write the pilot script when we first reported on the show back in October, who was eventually replaced byPaul Downs ColaizzoandBrett Mahoney.James Wanwill still serve as executive producer withHenry Winkler,Lee ZlotoffandMichael Clear.
CBS hasn’t announced any of its premiere dates for theirfall schedule, and it isn’t known when production will begin on the new pilot. We also don’t know if this will affect the show’s premiere, but the network announced last month that the show will air on Friday nights at 8 PM ET this fall. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more details onMacGyveras soon as we have them.
