CBS is leading a "MacGyver" reboot for television and it will have James Wan as director and executive producer for the potential pilot.
The reboot will be based on the original series Richard Dean Anderson starred in but reimagined to follow a 20-something MacGyver being recruited by a clandestine organization where he will be using his unconventional problem-solving skills to help keep disasters from happening.
R. Scott Gemmill from "NCIS: Los Angeles" will be on board as well as executive producer and writer, while Henry Winkler will be joining as executive producer alongside Michael Clear, production head for Wan's production company Atomic Monster. Winkler was also an executive producer for the original series.
CBS is tight-lipped about how much of an investment they'll be committing to the new "MacGyver" but CBSTVS and the network are said to be keen on bringing back a title from the studio library. However, sources have said that a hefty put pilot commitment has been made.
When the original "MacGyver" was shown, it ran for seven seasons with 139 episodes and had two movies for TV from ABC. Paramount Television tried to get a spin-off starring Jared Padalecki ("Supernatural") off the ground but "Young MacGyver" was a no-go. In 2012, Wan was tapped to direct a MacGyver movie for New Line.
"MacGyver" is the most recent to join the reboot list for film and TV as networks broaden their search for works with a built-in fan base that can stand out in a sea of originals populated by over 400 series. Aside from "MacGyver," CBS is also getting ready with "Training Day" and reviving "Rush Hour" in a series.
Other reboots include "Behind Enemy Lines" and "24" from Fox, "Friday the 13th" and "The Notebook" from The CW and "The A-Team" from 20th Century Fox Television. "One Day at a Time" is also being rebooted by Norman Lear but no network has signed on yet. Fox is also looking to revive "Prison Break" and "The X-Files."
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