Hmmm... that makes me question his commitment to the show and especially character. Of coarse it could just be that he's continuing to work as no-one knows if the show will be picked up. But what happens if he's on another project when MacGyver get's the go ahead?

I wonder if he hasn't answered because he's not allowed to talk about it?

Probably. Also, he answered - what - not even 20 questions in total (the timeline is still filling up with questions; he seems to have a lot of fans; so were have they been hiding so far)?

As a fan, I would be pretty pissed, but sadly, that's how these Q&A usually work (I know from my days as a Twilight fan - I sat through a lot of these suckers in front of my computer only to be annoyed in the end *lol*)...

I'm also wondering... I wasn't aware that X-Men is coming out in May. Guess he will have to do a LOT of promo work for this one; I'm sure there will be interviews and TV appearances with questions about his recent work. Hopefully, he will be able to talk about some MacGyver-related stuff...

I suspect it has to do with CBS asking everyone to be quiet about it for now

Fans asked him when he's going to cut is hair, and he answered (smiling): NEVER.

Guess we can be sure about him having long hair in the pilot. I do wonder though if they might do some flashback-flashforward scenes (à la Arrow) to establish some of his backstory.

This is one of the points raised when people mistakenly thought TheNextMacGyver project was a reboot with a female lead.

If it was redone with a female lead it would immediately remove the inevitable comparisons to RDA's version which this new show is going to get. In fact we have already seen plenty of negativity for it in our social media feeds.

I think much of the negativity comes from many fans not being as much MacGyver fans as they are RDA fans.

I think you would still have had the same problem - probably even worse.

Having a female lead playing the role of MacGyver would have probably spawned - a plectra of sexist comments and remakes that women aren't as good as men. No balls, etc.

Pure and utter s***. Star Wars 7 is the best example to prove that women are just as good if not stronger, than men, in lead roles.

Just saying !

RDA could have a role in this reboot still?

I hate all this negativity, it doesn't help anyone.

I reckon the biggest backlash would have been towards changing the lead from male to female "For the sake of doing it" as we're seeing with the Ghostbusters remake. Unless they made the lead Mac's daughter. That would probably take care of that issue.

There's quite a movement in Hollywood at the moment to get more female leads in movie and TV - The Next MacGyver was actually spawned from a presidential directive to Hollywood to create role models to encourage females into engineering jobs and by all accounts the female roles seem to be excepted quite well in most places.

It sounds like he's willing if they approach him so that's promising. Maybe he could play MacGyver's father? That would be pretty cool.

It seems the most likely option.

If I was making this series, and had the option to do so. It would be a no brainer!

Including a character from the past - especially RDA. Would please the die-hard fans and be a nod to the past.

In the similar vein, as Harrison Ford and the others, in Star Wars 7.

CBS hasn't confirmed or denied this, as a possibility. So let keep everything crossed!

Keep the positivity alive !

I would love a cameo by Ricky Dean, and if he's willing to do it, go for it CBS!

I'm guessing here but the pilot episode might start off - By introduce the character of Lincoln to MacGyver - with the sad news of his father's death (as a B-story subplot, that continues and builds over the course of the season). Similar in style to The Blacklist, as an example.

Lincoln tells him how great his father was in the intervening years he was captured.

But the story arc through the course of series one, could be his search for answers - How and why? Cue Cliff-hanger season one finale, that it turns out that his father is not dead after all. "Aghhhhhh! I hate when they end it there."

The writers at CBS MacGyver, are more than welcome to run with this. Trusting that they can finesse the finer details and put the polish on it.

I don't want the credit or the royalties, thank you!

I also hope that the show is a bit darker in tone than the 80s series. I hope it has elements of 24, The Blacklist and Dexter in it's tone and style.

This could work really nicely.

#High Hopes

I wouldn't even care what role he had; he could be working in the coffee shop near MacGyver's appartement for all I care as long as RDA is in the show

Hopefully, they will include RDA in the new reboot. It will be exceptionally frustrating in the event that they don't.

I wouldn't even care what role he had; he could be working in the coffee shop near MacGyver's appartement for all I care as long as RDA is in the show

It would be cool if he was the owner of a drugstore that young MacGyver would go near his house to buy some supplies, and Ricky Dean would give him tips to deal with some DIY house problems.

NOt sure I want to see MacGyver stocking up on drugs. That's a dark path.

My bad, I meant a hardware store, not drugstore.

Haha!

With all this talk about RDA making a guest appearance on the show.

Can I put a spanner in the works, and suggest that rather than RDA playing the father role or sidekick Peter Thornton role.

I feel it would be much more interesting for RDA to play a DR. ZITO inspired character

Now that would be AMAZING

I hope your taking notes CBS? Your getting this for free - but one day I wish to be paid by you, that ok?

How is that a nod to the work RDA did to make the character iconic?

Walter,

Your entitled to your opinion, but it's not that ridiculous. Open your mind to new things, and see the potential in others. I keep hearing (from people on the NO side of this reboot debate), that why can't tv producers be original.

Often originality stems from doing different things.

There is a great quote - If you want things to be different, perhaps the answer is to become different yourself.

RDA being MacGyver - ain't going to happen in this reboot. PERIOD

Sorry if that disappoints you. But the fact of the matter is, if they were to do this, it would undermine the credibility of Lucas Til, and the new MacGyver franchise as a whole. CBS are investing huge amounts of cash, creativity, and resources into this series, so why would they undermine their best efforts.

If you are an advocate for NO to a reboot (side), then you may be delighted by the above statement. But CBS aren't stupid.

If past fans are being listen too, and are compensated in someway with a guest appearance of RDA. I can't see RDA playing the father for the same reason mention above, but having him as a college professor turned enemy (Interesting, and different) could act as a compromise and deliver a better result.

Having RDA anywhere near this new series (is the NOD, to the past), and we should be very grateful if that even happens. Having him play the college professor would play upon the teacher figure idea, some people have eluded too.

How big of an involvement, and the best use of the actor within the episode or series is the bigger question and is up to the production team and the writers on the new series.

Remember RDA has a say in all this too - His mother has just died, His health is not great, and he has a kid who is about to go to college. Even at the behest of his huge allegiance of fans - He has publicly said that he does not wish to revisit the role of MacGyver. Although he said later, that he would not rule out an appearance in the new series - should CBS get in contact. You forget that RDA current health problems stems from his days on MacGyver, so his constant pain could remind him of that fact every day - and probably secretly despises MacGyver now.

While RDA was brilliant in the 80s series. It's over, done. The DVDs are available for prosperity. We have got to move on from this - and stop living in the past.

This is a new series, the MacGyver character lives on... just like JAMES BOND does every time Hollywood decides to change the actor playing him.

At this point, all this negativity around this REBOOT, is pure speculation. Until we actually see the finished product - I choose to reserve judgement, and trust CBS are working hard, producing a pilot that warrants a new series, that spawns great stories and adventures for the Master of Improvisation, that will entertain generations (new and old).

And perhaps, encourage more people to visit and enjoy, this great website (MACGYVER ONLINE).

I tend to agree in someway. If you refer to the rebooted Battlestar Galactica, I recall them guest starring Richard Hatch who played Apollo in the original. In the reboot, he was a bad guy!

But it worked quite well. I guess it all boils down to the writing.

If they are prepared to do it right, it can work. Twisted, yes. But clever.

Just because I have a different opinion to you doesn't mean my mind is closed.

I haven't said anything negative about this show here. All I've done is make the apparently unforgivable mistake of disagreeing with something you said.

When did I say I wanted him to play MacGyver?

No that's not a fact at all...it's your opinion. The outcome depends on how they do it. If it's done as a "passing of the baton" it could work to show fans that RDA is giving his approval to the new show and telling fans "I'm OK with this, you should be too". They did it with Knight Rider 2008, although the series bombed, having Hoff in the pilot to pass the baton was meet with applause from the fans.

So is your positivity. You have no better idea than anyone else if this is going to work or not.

Nothing is certain with this yet so how about you don't berate people just because they appose your almighty view or opinion?

Guys, again I must emphasize that we stay on topic regarding our comments and please be mindful not to attack other users.

I can appreciate that this is a delicate topic to those who hold this iconic character dear to heart but we can do so in a respectable way.

Yeah I don't think you would really want RDA in much more than a guest appearance in the first couple of episodes. Just enough to hand the reins over to Lucas and then let them get on with things. I don't really like the idea of RDA playing a villain myself. I'd rather see him have a small short part and then be done.

Another way to do it might be to have him as a completely unrelated character but make some in-joke type remarks which we would all know allude to the fact that he use to be MacGyver in the old show. Kinda like they did with the Home Improvement guys when they turned up in Last Man Standing. It would lighten things up a little and, I think, appease all the die hard fans.

Part of the problem, or cause, of the negativity around a reboot is that people have the idea that because RDA brought so much into the character (so many character traits were actually RDA traits) and because they liked that version so much they can't imagine or possibly don't want to see any other version of MacGyver. I know of one fan who has latched on to his acting style being very expressive through his face as the reason anyone else playing the role wont work. So this new version has a really hard uphill slog ahead of it.

I personally don't want to see RDA play a villain. The shout out idea works - kind of like when Carter mentioned "MacGyvering" a DHD in Stargate, it was amusing and although the shows were unrelated I think viewers saw the funny side.

I also like the idea of RDA doing a voice over kind of like on the original show, but this time introducing his younger self to us. It need only be for say, the pilot, and that way no hard times for Rick's back and knees. I don't think for a moment they'd do it, of course, but it was a fun option.

I'm not against this as a reboot, as I've said before, I am just not convinced of casting, and wish CBS would give us a little more to go on. Just a few in character pics might be all that is needed to calm the fans, after all!

I actually liked the 2008 Knight Rider, but I think they got some fundamental things wrong, and I just don't want to see this go the same way. With Knight Rider I liked Justin, I liked Kilmer as KITT, I liked the revamped theme, but I hated some of the writing - they had too many people in the ensemble cast, and it took away from the original "One man and his car" idea just a little too much.

This is what I don't want to happen with MacGyver. I get that its a new version, but SOME of the original ideas need to still exist, or it may as well just have another title.

Walter,

Firstly, I am not trying to berate people? I am merely expressing my own opinion, and if I wish to champion for the "Yes to this reboot" debate, and keep the positivity up. I am quite entitled to do so.

Secondly, If you read my message carefully, I wrote "RDA being MacGyver....PERIOD". The previous sentence had referred to the no side in general, and therefore this sentence - was aimed at the collective (the NO side of this reboot debate), not specifically aimed at you directly.

Thirdly, I would like to address your comment re: my almighty view or opinion. Clearly you and others on this forum batting for the No side offer very little in the way of facts and resort to pure speculation when you offer your opinions. But when real facts are presented to you, you get very defensive, and attack the Yes campaigners. All in a bid to undermine, and perhaps feel better about yourself.

Let me highlight 4 points, (not all aimed at you Walter - just in case you mis-quote me wrongly?)

1. Knightrider 2008

You and others have brought this show up. This series was created and produced by NBC not CBS. You cannot compare the two shows. None of the key crew (and I have checked) who were involved in this show, feature or are in anyway attached to this MacGyver reboot. So making these comparisons and connects are wholly unjustified. It is like saying Apples and Oranges are the same thing - when clearly they are not, except that they are both fruits.

2. RDA as MacGyver
A series cannot be defined by just one actor. RDA was only one element to the overall success of the MacGyver series. I urge you to read the end credits, All those names that appear! They are the true people involved who made MacGyver successful - they are all the hard working individual that made the series great. They were the ones who were the first on set and last off set. All of these people are never seen, thanked or appreciated by the viewing public. When you speak so negatively and unjustly about a show that has not even aired yet, and offer skating and unjust opinions, clearly you disregard all their hard work and efforts. All these people want to do, is do their job, make a show, in a bid to entertain you. The word Ungrateful doesn't even come close, when some of you make such insulting comments.

3. Lucas Til
Please remember that their is a young and talented actor, who over his lifetime will have to portray numerous characters on stage and screen. This guy auditioned and won a team of executives and creative consultants to win this role. Not an easy job to do. Give him credit for that. Give him his moment. Lucas deserves the chance, to play the part and win you guys over before you all put the knife in his back. All this negativity will not help him. Let him do his job first before passing judgement.

Finally, when this show does finally air, it is quite evident that the majority of the No side won't even give this show a chance. They will look for anyway, anything, and/or any slight or minute discrepancy - just to pick holes and feel better in themselves (all in the name of RDA).

C'mon you know, who you are?

It's sad really, because RDA is a professional actor who understands a role, is a role. You win some, you lose some. There is more to life, and probably better roles out there, than MacGyver. As an actor he has moved on - so should you all...and just be grateful MacGyver is back on our screens again. I hope you detect the passion in which the above was written, spoken by a true MACGYVER fan.

A thought came to me what if they went How I Met your mother with the show and had Richard Dean Anderson do the voice overs similar to How Bob Sagget was the older Ted Mosby? Could work

Yeah, I liked that idea too, I mentioned it in a thread somewhere. I don't think you'll see it happen, though! Then again, everything is so hush, they might shock us!

Someone on our facebook page made a comment that RDA could play Grandpa Harry which seems like quite a good idea to me.

It would be a bit part, so probably suitable for RDA's schedule and would tie back to the old show brilliantly.

Not a bad idea!

The Pilot is in postproduction and the cast is doing some ADR:

Ruman Kazi ‏@RealRumanKazi
ADR session for #MacGyver. Great to see the gang again! #paramount #CBS #pilot https://www.instagram.com/p/BE_rVj6D1Db/



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