Justin Lin tapped to direct pilot for CBS’ reboot of Magnum P.I.

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The reboot train keeps rolling forward, and one of the many projects on the horizon is a reboot the '80s cop-drama Magnum P.I. which starred Tom Selleck as a private investigator living in Hawaii. CBS announced the project last fall and gave the potential series a pilot order last month, which they've now tapped Justin Lin (STAR TREK BEYOND) to direct. At least we can look forward to some decent action.

The Magnum P.I. reboot is being scripted by Peter Lenkov and Eric Guggenheim, who are behind the rebooted incarnations of Hawaii Five-0 and MacGyver, which also make their home at CBS. Described as an update of the original, the reboot will follow Thomas Magnum, a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, re-purposes his military skills to become a private investigator. With help from fellow vets Theodore "TC" Calvin and Orville "Rick" Wright, as well as that of disavowed former MI:6 agent Juliet Higgins, Magnum takes on the cases no one else will, helping those who have no one else to turn to. Along with a helping of action, adventure, and comedy, the new Magnum P.I. series will also explore a brotherhood forged by the trauma of combat, what it means to return home an ex-soldier, and a commitment to continuing to serve while in the private sector. It's still not known just who CBS has in mind for this new Thomas Magnum, but Deadline has reportedly heard that they're intending to pursue a non-white actor for the role. Just don't ditch the mustache.

This wouldn't be Justin Lin's first time tackling a pilot, as he's also helmed the first episodes of S.W.A.T. and Scorpion, both on CBS, in addition to directing episodes of True Detective and Community.