‘MacGyver’ Returning To Both Big And Small Screens In A New CBS Pilot And A Lionsgate Film

From the popular series that aired from 1985 to 1992, the term to “MacGyver” something was born. There’s a whole generation of viewers out there who may have heard the saying before but are more than likely unfamiliar with how it came about or what it means, and that could be about to change. According to Zap2It, CBS has ordered a MacGyver pilot that will introduce viewers to a modern day remake of what promises to be an action-packed series.

Entertainment Weekly shared that the MacGyver pilot will be written by Paul Downs Colaizzo and is being developed in-house. James Wan, who will direct the DC superhero film Aquaman in 2018 and who has previously been at the helm of the Furious 7 (2015) and Insidious (2011) films, will both direct and executive produce the MacGyver pilot. This will be his first time directing a show for the small screen. Should the MacGyver pilot do well and CBS decides to order a series, Wan will continue to head the project.

Michael Clear and Henry Winkler will also serve as executive producers of the MacGyver pilot. Winkler was the executive producer on the original MacGyver series and signed on to this new venture in October of last year. Back in June of 2015, Wan brought Clear in as head of production for his Atomic Monster production company, and according to the Hollywood Reporter, the duo will now be working together on this new MacGyver project.

*ponders how to convince his potential new roommate to allow his dog..* pic.twitter.com/GEXc9dKMnq

— Richard. (@NotDeanAnderson) July 20, 2015

According to Entertainment Weekly, the series will focus on a MacGyver that is in his 20s “as he gets recruited into a clandestine organization where MacGyver uses his knack for solving problems in unconventional ways to help prevent disasters from happening.” To get a feel for what MacGyver is all about, the CBS website is offering several original MacGyver episodes online. There are 10 available for free, including the original pilot episode, and 130 of the MacGyver videos are available through CBS All Access, which offers a free one-week trial.

For those unfamiliar with the original MacGyver series, this popular show ran for seven seasons and starred Richard Dean Anderson. He was the multi-talented secret agent Angus MacGyver, also known as Mac. MacGyver worked for two fictional agencies, the Phoenix Foundation in Los Angeles and also as an agent for a government agency called the Department of External Services (DXS).

With a scientific background, MacGyver is able to solve complex and often dangerous problems by taking ordinary items and repurposing them into something else. MacGyver often used his trusty Swiss Army knife to help him make new items, and it was something that he was never without. An amicable and easy-going character for the most part, during each episode MacGyver always tries to take a non-violent approach to whatever problem he faces and prefers not to handle or use guns due to a childhood accident that resulted in a friend’s tragic death. MacGyver occasionally used a gun he picked up along the way, and sometimes he used just parts of a gun and the bullets in unusual ways, such as a substitute for a tool he might need.

Chocolate, anyone? pic.twitter.com/z8VU9xP0Xk

— Richard. (@NotDeanAnderson) August 13, 2015

In regard to the movie, Ace Showbiz reported that Lionsgate recently announced on February 5 their plans regarding a MacGyver film for the big screen as part of its development deal with CBS. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer revealed the partnership with the network during an earnings call with analysts.

“I’m also pleased to announce this morning that we’ve joined with our friends at CBS on a development deal to re-envision the MacGyver franchise in film and television, with CBS taking the lead on the TV show and Lionsgate taking the lead on the film,” Feltheimer said.

21 Jump Street producer Neal H. Moritz and the original MacGyver creator, Lee David Zlotoff, have teamed up and are on board as producers of the MacGyver movie. Who do you think would make a good MacGyver? Will you be watching the MacGyver pilot and the movie when they are released? Leave your comments, thoughts, and opinions below.

[Image via Richard/Twitter]