Double the 80's, double the mullets; Angus MacGyver and Martin Riggs will soon be bringing their particular 80's charm to our television screens as we've learned that not only is a MacGyver reboot in the works at CBS, but also that Fox is developing a series based upon LETHAL WEAPON.
CBS's new MacGyver series is being described as a "re-imagining" which will follow "a 20-something MacGyver as he gets recruited into a clandestine organization where he uses his knack for solving problems in unconventional ways to help prevent disasters from happening." James Wan, who was once attached to direct a big-screen version of MacGyver before he dropped out to direct FURIOUS 7, is on board to executive produce as well as direct the potential pilot. Also filling an executive producer position is Henry Winkler, who served in a similar position on the original series. Scripting the pilot will be NCIS: Los Angeles' R. Scott Gemmill.
Shifting things over to Lethal Weapon, Fox is developing a new series based upon the Mel Gibson and Donald Glover franchise which, much like the films, will center on a "Texas cop and former Navy SEAL Martin Riggs who, following the loss of his wife and baby, moves to Los Angeles to start anew. There, he gets partnered with LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh, who, having recently suffered a "minor" heart attack, must avoid any stress in his life." Matt Miller (Forever) will be writing the pilot, and although the original filmmakers will not be credited on the drama, they have apparently given the project their blessing.
Adapting films to television seems to be quite the trend nowadays, with series' based upon LIMITLESS, TAKEN, BEHIND ENEMY LINES, TRAINING DAY, THE MIST, GALAXY QUEST, and THE OMEN being only several of the many television projects in various stages of development now. If I may borrow a line from Murtaugh, I'm getting far too old for this shit.
Which has the most potential, a "re-imagining" of MacGyver or a Lethal Weapon series sans Mel Gibson and Donald Glover?