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MacGyver Online Forums > News Desk > Actor Hired for MacGyver Movie

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 19 February 2011 - 06:54 PM

It was with great interested that we noted today on IMDb Pro the appearance of Larry Romano as a cast member of the new MacGyver movie. There is no role name listed, so we can only speculate as to which part he will play in the movie. We have been unsuccessful to date in our attempts to contact either producers or the respective production companies regarding this or any other news they can give us.

Based on the hit 80's action/adventure show of the same name, the movie is now listed with a 2013 release date so we still have at least two years to wait, but this could be seen as a good thing in that it shows the movie makers are willing to spend the time to make sure the movie stays true to the original MacGyver character.

Posted by: Wheeljack 19 February 2011 - 08:14 PM

Egh. :\ I know, maybe RDA is getting a bit up there in years to play Mac, but it's really really hard to picture anyone but him as that character.

I dunno, Harrison Ford can still fit the Indiana Jones role, so maybe RDA could do it too? Maybe after loosing a bit of weight and working out a little.... ....Zaxby's commercials... Heh!

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 20 February 2011 - 12:28 AM

Yeah I know, but the producers of this movie will be looking to open new doors with possible sequels if the movie does well. This is where the idea of having RDA play the main role falls over. He might work for a single movie, but there's probably a pretty good chance he wouldn't want to do sequels, nor be comfortable with all the red carpet hype that goes on with movie launches and promotion these days.

We can't really compare RDA and Harrison Ford because Ford hasn't been through the physical damage RDA has nor does he have the resulting health problems from it.

Posted by: Mac1977 20 February 2011 - 09:48 AM

Well it would be nice to see at least one movie where Anderson plays Mac again.
Or new series where he would Mac in old days.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 20 February 2011 - 10:27 AM

QUOTE (Mac1977 @ 20 February 2011 - 06:51 PM)

Well it would be nice to see at least one movie where Anderson plays Mac again.
Or new series where he would Mac in old days.

Mind if I dream on with you?

Just did some checking out, thought he might be related to the Romanus brothers better known as Frank and Joey from The Prodigal and actually I found something more interesting. (Well at least for me.) He played in Lock Up with Sly Stallone. Big deal.

Anyway do we see someone with Italian roots play MacGyver? Okay, it's not said he would play the role of MacGyver. Maybe Murdoc or another supporting role, a sort of sidekick maybe?

Maybe RDA still sees it different or decides to do it anyway. I always said it doesn't need long foot chases or to be physical heavy. I'm always more up for a good fight instead of long runnings. I think also a MacGyver movie can be grand on large scaled MacGyverisms, something like the escape out of the volcano in Lost Treasure of Atlantis. After all Mac relied on his wits not his fists.

Posted by: angus20 20 February 2011 - 12:27 PM

Well I been waiting a long time to hear something of the upcoming movie, now we know the project it's on the way.

Hopefully RDA joins (he knows most of the people recognized him as Mac) even in these days. If I were him, I will do it no matter the age I have.

Posted by: Wheeljack 20 February 2011 - 06:53 PM

Yeah, I know what you're saying, Rock. It wouldn't be so bad, but it feels like the studio shortchanged the fans all these years by not making a movie LONG before now.

I don't think MacGyver fans are like Trekkies, where they would support an ongoing film series for years and years, but I think a single big screen version would have more than paid for itself. Or at least they could have given us SOME SORT of MacGyver stuff, for god's sake. A novel? A game? A guidebook? Couldn't we even get a darn t-shirt? Nope. Nothing. Even lesser known shows get more merchandise and things.

Maybe that will changed when the movie come out though. ::fingers crossed::

Posted by: Agent MacGyver! 21 February 2011 - 09:49 PM

I don't know how to explain it, but I am not comfortable with a Macgyver movie coming out if RDA isn't the star.

If you look at A-Team, Starsky and Hutch, Miami Vice, The dukes of Hazard, and many other *remakes* that Hollywood has put through, they haven't been that good. It seems like the big shot producers only planned on making a cheap buck with all those films, and I would rather see no movie at all than see them butcher the franchise for profit.

I understand that this might be a rumor, and this guy might not even be a major character, and even if he does become Macgyver, perhaps he will do a good job. I, for one, would love to see RDA try and do it though and establish more continuity of the franchise as opposed to *refreshing* the series and imagine that the past adventures never happened.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 22 February 2011 - 01:31 AM

Well actually I did like The A-Team movie. I'm not so sure if it was ever shown what their 'crime' was they didn't commit in the show but my best friend said it was except it was updated to the present times. So if they stick to the base of the show, I think we can already be very grateful for just getting that aspect.

Posted by: Wheeljack 22 February 2011 - 12:43 PM

QUOTE

If you look at A-Team, Starsky and Hutch, Miami Vice, The dukes of Hazard, and many other *remakes* that Hollywood has put through, they haven't been that good. It seems like the big shot producers only planned on making a cheap buck with all those films, and I would rather see no movie at all than see them butcher the franchise for profit.

I know what you're saying. And then there's also the problem of movies that have NOTHING to do with what they're suppose to be based on. Hollywood seems to like taking things that people love, altering it to the point where it's not even recognizable, then wondering why it flopped. Anyone remember the He-Man movie from when you were a kid? Yeah, that was a real stinker. How about video game movies like Super Mario, Final Fantasy and Resident Evil? Wasn't it great how they shared absolutely nothing with what they were based on other than the title? Same thing has been done to countless novels. Apparently studio execs think it's good for business to spit in the face of fans.

I havn't seen A-Team yet in all fairness. I really don't see how you could really capture the chemistry and teamwork between those guys in and hour and a half film though. It could be ok, I'll rent it eventually. The GI Joe movie wasn't too bad, could have been a little better, but. I thought it would be terrible, but it did a halfway decent job of capturing the spirit of the show. Maybe Mac will be ok too.

As long as Paul WS Anderson isn't involved, there's hope.

Posted by: Beachbead 22 February 2011 - 12:59 PM

I hope this guy isn't going to be MacGyver, he doesn't have the right look for MacGyver, he looks like he could be a friend of Mac or the head of the phoenix foundation but surely not Mac's part. I do hope it's not going to suck like the last remakes they did.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 22 February 2011 - 03:16 PM

QUOTE

Well actually the movie takes up little over two hours.

QUOTE

As long as Paul WS Anderson isn't involved, there's hope.

Hear, hear!

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 22 February 2011 - 08:45 PM

QUOTE (Wheeljack @ 23 February 2011 - 09:46 AM)

I havn't seen A-Team yet in all fairness. I really don't see how you could really capture the chemistry and teamwork between those guys in and hour and a half film though.

Well if you watch it you'll see how they did it.

Posted by: Beachbead 23 February 2011 - 12:08 PM

Hollywood doesn't care a thing about the fans thats the sad truth.

Posted by: An_Shashira 25 February 2011 - 02:05 AM

QUOTE (Wheeljack @ 20 February 2011 - 04:17 PM)

Oh It's good. But I don't think that anyone could be able to perform the character of MacGyver as RDA.

Posted by: elwoodblues1969 25 February 2011 - 10:31 AM

QUOTE (Wheeljack @ 21 February 2011 - 02:56 PM)

but it feels like the studio shortchanged the fans all these years by not making a movie LONG before now.

I agree with this statement implicitly.If Richard Dean Anderson was approached by a studio to do a MacGyver movie 10 or 15 years ago,then he would have still been young enough to do at least a couple of sequels,if not 3 or 4 more.

Most studios in my opinion,merely want to capitalize on the enduring popularity of these classic sitcoms & turn them into a "James Bond" series.

The Bond franchise is an anomaly that for some reason,works....but then again,Bond actors such as George Lazenby & Timothy Dalton were utter disasters to the series.

I felt very skeptical of Chris Pine doing the new Star Trek film series,but after having seen his impressive performance,I felt he was true to the role of James T. Kirk.

Be that as it may though,I personally don't care to see an onslaught of old T.V. series perverted into regurgitated T.V. series & films-as for the most part,they don't do justice to the originals.

That being said,I don't have any interest in a MacGyver movie,whatsoever.

-Elwood

Posted by: Miasma 25 February 2011 - 10:38 AM

I still have mixed feelings about RDA returning as Mac. A part of me would definitely like it, obviously, but another part of me just doesn't know how well it would work. After watching those Zaxby commercials, I hate to say it, but he's not MacGyver anymore.
People often mention the fact that Harrison Ford is still able to play Indy, but Harrison hasn't changed as much as RDA did. RDA's voice, body and face are quite different these days from what they were during the series.

From a purely nostalgic point of view, I'd like RDA to play the role. But looking at things from a more practical standpoint, I could definitely understand why the studio would prefer to go with a younger, more fit actor.

Posted by: Aguamenti 25 February 2011 - 02:29 PM

It would be so amazing if RDA came back to reprise the role! I personally wouldn't go to see the movie if anyone else was playing 'MacGyver' - it just wouldn't be the same..

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 26 February 2011 - 01:58 PM

No it wouldn't be the same, but the problem is that with RDA's physical lifestyle beginning to take it's toll on his body, a movie with him in it won't be the same either because he wouldn't be able to be as physical as we have come to expect MacGyver to be.

So we're kinda between a rock and a hard place.

Posted by: elwoodblues1969 27 February 2011 - 07:56 AM

All things considered,I think it's time to put the idea of revamped versions of MacGyver to rest & move on.
There have already been two T.V. movies on MacGyver & that should be enough.If there was ever a time to make a full featured hollywood film on MacGyver,it should have been done back then in the early 90's.
Perhaps if RDA wasn't involved in the Stargte SG-1 series,that probably would have been a good time to make a MacGyver film as well.

As gracefully as RDA has aged,he has a long history of injuries to contend with...as he's had both arms busted,& has had several other injuries & consequent surgeries as a result.
Besides which,RDA retired to spend time with his daughter and considering all those years he has spent living the swinging bachelor life,I don't blame him at all for wanting to step out of the limelight.

Sometimes it's good to leave well enough alone & just remember MacGyver for what he was at that age.
7 TV seasons & two TV movies of MacGyver should be enough for any die-hard MacGyver fan.

-Elwood

Posted by: MacGyverGod 27 February 2011 - 10:10 AM

Well said. But there's always that hunger to see your big hero on the big screen even if it's just once after all this time.

I wonder how RDA would look if he would grow his hair back in mullet.

Posted by: elwoodblues1969 27 February 2011 - 05:57 PM

Perish the thought of RDA with a mullet at any age!

One of the worst mistakes of my life was having a mullet hairdo in the 80's!

Granted,RDA managed a mullet better than anyone,but it's still the most ghetto,trailer park hairdo ever to be worn by a human being.

RDA was much more sharp & dignified looking in the Stargate SG-1 series.

-Elwood

Posted by: angus20 27 February 2011 - 06:34 PM

Let's understand this guys, the studio and producers are seeing this project as profit opportunity. What I want is to see my hero on the big screen again (as many of us), but without RDA in the lead role, the movie would be like the macgruber movie, a total disaster, no matter if NEO (Keanu Reeves) plays the main role, or any other actor.

I believe RDA was born to be a star, definitely the role of Macgyver
was his most recognized character, but if he don't want to do it....

Posted by: Miasma 28 February 2011 - 06:54 AM

QUOTE (angus20 @ 28 February 2011 - 02:37 PM)

without RDA in the lead role, the movie would be like the macgruber movie, a total disaster....

Well, realistically, odds are that the movie will suck with or without RDA. TV-to-movie conversions don't have a great track record, and even when RDA reprised the role for the two TV movies, the result wasn't spectacular.

But I don't think we should assume that the absense of RDA will make the big-screen movie a disaster. Look at "The Fugitive." None of the original actors were in it, and yet it's a great movie. Really what matters the most is the script, the production values and the quality of whatever actors they do hire. "The Fugitive" is proof that a genuinely good movie can be made from an old tv series, even without the original cast, provided the people making it take the time (and have the talent) to do it right.

Posted by: cirubit 28 February 2011 - 10:45 AM

We must not underestimate the choice of the director!!!
It's my opinion that anyone will be the director of this movie, He should be a real fan of the original show!!! ( like me...

I'm kidding, of course...)
Only in this way you can choose the right guy for this role and do a good job!!!!

Posted by: MacGyverGod 28 February 2011 - 12:13 PM

QUOTE

I always keep in mind that ideas count. In TV-movies budgets and things are probably always very limited that is one thing. Maybe it was even cheaper to film in London than in British Columbia and most definitely than in L.A. I don't think RDA is the one to blame for the bad result of the tv-movies. He didn't act any different than in the show.

QUOTE

But I don't think we should assume that the absense of RDA will make the big-screen movie a disaster. Look at "The Fugitive." None of the original actors were in it, and yet it's a great movie. Really what matters the most is the script, the production values and the quality of whatever actors they do hire. "The Fugitive" is proof that a genuinely good movie can be made from an old tv series, even without the original cast, provided the people making it take the time (and have the talent) to do it right.

Indeed, good example. And a good script is a where it all begins. The rest follows.

QUOTE

We must not underestimate the choice of the director!!!
It's my opinion that anyone will be the director of this movie, He should be a real fan of the original show!!! ( like me... I'm kidding, of course...)
Only in this way you can choose the right guy for this role and do a good job!!!!

Lee David Zlotoff would be a dream director, wouldn't it? Still my vote would go to JJ Abrams. Just to name somebody of course.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 1 March 2011 - 01:28 AM

QUOTE (cirubit @ 1 March 2011 - 07:48 AM)

We must not underestimate the choice of the director!!!
It's my opinion that anyone will be the director of this movie, He should be a real fan of the original show!!! ( like me...

I'm kidding, of course...)
Only in this way you can choose the right guy for this role and do a good job!!!!

Yeah, that's a valid point you make there. The director really needs to be a fan of the show to make sure the movie has the spirit of MacGyver.

Posted by: Miasma 1 March 2011 - 10:05 AM

QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ 1 March 2011 - 08:16 AM)

I don't think RDA is the one to blame for the bad result of the tv-movies. He didn't act any different than in the show.

I didn't mean to imply that RDA was at fault for the lackluster tv movies. My point was simply that having RDA in the movie isn't a guarantee of quality, just as not having him in it isn't a guarantee that the movie will be a disaster. The script, directing, production values, and the talents of whatever actors they do hire will all play very important roles.

Posted by: Mac Jackson 2 March 2011 - 10:14 AM

Like I said in my youtube video. If it doesn't connect to the original show then I'm done with it. I feel we need to have RDA in it AS MacGyver even if it focuses on his son for the majority of the mission parts. The layout is already established. They just need to follow it.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 2 March 2011 - 11:05 AM

QUOTE

That is so true.

But I guess expecting a four star movie would be a little over the top.

But than again lots of movies I like suck at the box office no matter how good the cast and crew are. Sounds maybe negative but you never know how a film would end up. Might look good on script, it can still suck onscreen. But let's not get down that road.

QUOTE

The layout is already established. They just need to follow it.

But what are the chances they will do that?

Posted by: Mac Jackson 2 March 2011 - 04:36 PM

Knowing how arrogant the movie people can be I'd say not much but I can hope right?

Posted by: spencerific93 16 June 2011 - 08:00 PM

QUOTE

I believe RDA was born to be a star, definitely the role of Macgyver
was his most recognized character, but if he don't want to do it....

I actually heard that he is interested. Check this out. It's an old link, but I doubt he's changed his mind: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Comic-Con-Richard-Dean-Anderson-Talks-MacGyver-Movie-9652.html

QUOTE

Well it would be nice to see at least one movie where Anderson plays Mac again.
Or new series where he would Mac in old days.

That would be what I would go for with the movie. Maybe incorporate his son somehow, either as an accomplice, or even just as a "Dad, should you really still be doing this" kinda character. In fact, maybe incorporate as much as the original show as possible. Unfortunately there will be no Dana Elcar as Pete Thornton

, and his character really wouldn't work without him, but it can include Bruce McGill as an older but just as mischievous Jack Dalton, and possibly Teri Hatcher as Penny Parker and Elyssa Davalos as Nikki Carpenter, as well as new characters, obviously.
Now I'm all excited, hahaha.

Posted by: DropjawBertone 9 October 2011 - 07:43 AM

I think what fans (including myself) really want to see in a new MacGyver movie is not a re-made version of the original, but a current movie about MacGyver now with Richard Dean Anderson playing the role! What would MacGyver be doing now in his 60's? How would handle his everyday life? Would he still be working? Would he have rejoined the Phoenix Foundation? So essentially it would just pick up where the last MacGyver TV movie (Trail To Doomsday) left off.
If the new movie plans to be a re-made version of the original (in the way Star Trek was remade for the movie in 2009) then I am not even remotely interested in seeing it. My entire family and all my friends are huge MacGyver fans and they all feel exactly the same way as I do. I just hope that RDA and the movie writers, producers, company, etc will feel the same way and give the fans what we really want..... a real MacGyver movie with RDA playing the role at this point in his life. That would be out-of-this-world amazing!

Dropjaw Bertone

Posted by: Makedde 9 October 2011 - 10:27 PM

I want a MacGyver movie that reunites Mac and Nikki, who then work as a team to defeat Murdoc for the final time. I want one massive showdown between the two of them...

Posted by: Bushwalker 23 October 2011 - 02:18 AM

QUOTE (Mac1977 @ 21 February 2011 - 04:51 AM)

Well it would be nice to see at least one movie where Anderson plays Mac again.
Or new series where he would Mac in old days.

Or maybe a "Son of MacGyver", with RDA coaching and mentoring his son...

And you could always bring in a daughter to Murdoch on the 'baddies' side..

The possibilities are endless.
Bring on "MacGyvers ~ the Next Generation.."

Posted by: Bushwalker 25 October 2011 - 03:49 AM

On the subject of a suitable actor to play a younger MacGyver, if need-be, I can think of several current action-man actors, who could possibly be worked over to fill such a role, including ~

Viggo Mortensen
Michael Weatherley
David Wenham
Matthew MacFadyen
Eric Christian Olsen

~ just a couple of ideas...

Posted by: MacGyverGod 25 October 2011 - 11:26 AM

Than I'd go for that last one. Viggo Mortensen might still be tough guy but you'd be surprised how old he is. He's early fifties I think.

David Wenham is like late forties, I presume.

Posted by: Makedde 25 October 2011 - 07:32 PM

The dude at the end with the blond hair. Never heard of him but his hair looks MacGyverish so he'd do.

Posted by: Bushwalker 26 October 2011 - 08:08 AM

Eric Olsen has been appearing in the past two seasons of 'NCIS Los Angeles', as a LA police detective seconded/liaising_with the local NCIS team...

Posted by: macgyver1984 26 November 2011 - 09:50 PM

this sounds like it is going to be a great Movie, i can't wait to see it.

Posted by: MacGyverPF 18 December 2011 - 06:45 AM

I nominate me for mac lol I can dream right!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=286699114677264&set=a.223790687634774.81389.100000115349247&type=3&theater

Posted by: MacGyverPF 18 December 2011 - 06:53 AM

Honestly i'd say an unknown as MacGyver, and either viggo or micheal wincott as murdoch

Posted by: 1957Nomad 4 January 2012 - 06:04 AM

In my opinion, and it's just my opinion, MacGyver is not a gimmicky way of fixing things, or a physical action hero--he is an outlook on life. And I think a lot of that came from RDA. If you look at the first season of MacGyver, he is playing a sort of James Bond spoof which is the way it was written. But as RDA gained more creative input, MacGyver became a philosophy of caring about people and principles enough to always find an option--to never give up on doing good. That's something I'm really not sure the studios will ever understand, thus, I dread any attempt to make a MacGyver movie. But alas, profit rules in Hollywood, so it is probably inevitable that we see a MacGyver caricature made eventually.

Posted by: Mac Jackson 4 January 2012 - 06:48 AM

Well said:)

Posted by: 1957Nomad 5 January 2012 - 07:30 AM

QUOTE (Bushwalker @ 23 October 2011 - 10:21 PM)

And you could always bring in a daughter to Murdoch on the 'baddies' side..

The possibilities are endless.
Bring on "MacGyvers ~ the Next Generation.."

Now there's an idea!! I love it--MacGyver (played by RDA of course) has a daughter who follows in his footsteps. That would be a great twist on the story, give the studios a way to make money (with a sexy actress), AND preserve the RDA/MacGyver image. Maybe SHE could finally defeat Murdoch--or reform him--and make Dad proud.

And Miss Wylie Anderson could play her as a young girl.

Posted by: macman 11 January 2012 - 07:13 PM

QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ 1 March 2011 - 08:16 AM)

Lee David Zlotoff would be a dream director, wouldn't it? Still my vote would go to JJ Abrams. Just to name somebody of course.

huh? i don't think he's much of a director is he?

Posted by: Lothithil 11 January 2012 - 09:37 PM

To say I've given a great deal of thought to this subject would be a gross understatement...

As an RDA fan, I have always pictured him when I imagine MacGyver, when I'm writing a story or reading a bit of fanfic. It's quite easy for me to slip into the idea that Rick and Mac were the same being, seamlessly inseparable in my mind.

THEN I saw Stargate:SG1, and Legend, and Firehouse, and Pandora's Clock, and a number of other films and tv shows that showed me that RDA was a fine actor who could bring character to any role he applied himself. I am also privileged to have actually met The Man, which gives me some perspective on him as an individual, instead of a misty, mythical hero.

Then, people in (or near) Hollywood began to make (and remake) movies based on books and films that I'd seen and loved, and they actually did a fairly good job.

I can get behind a new face for MacGyver, providing that the film is made with respect and love for the characters and the story... and the legend that 'MacGyver' has become. There are high standards to measure up to, yeah, but I can definitely imagine it.

I hope that, one day, I'll see it!

Posted by: MacRock 27 August 2012 - 10:43 PM

If they want to put RDA in the movie they should just continue on and have Angus Jr have an adventure. RDA could have an cameo in the beginning, maybe they are camping and mac is testing Jr on all the things he has learned in the years its been off the air.