How about Travolta as Magnum?
Politics aside, I still happen to love Tom Selleck and Tom Selleck IS Magnum, P.I.
Ugh. There is a movie I will not be seeing
I’ve also seen interviews where it was plain that he does not want to be involved with a movie version. It’s been a while, but as I recall the essence of it seemed to be that he was very proud of the television series, and didn’t want to be involved in something that might be demeaning to it, and did not want to be seen as putting a stamp of approval by appearing in some kind of cameo. I don’t recall him being angry or bitter either, just pretty sure of what he would support and what he wouldn’t.
It struck me at the time, though this was just my impression, that he was not very impressed by the cameos that David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser did in the Starsky and Hutch movie.
Higgins - Ciaran Hinds or the guy who played Cicero on Rome.
I’m not keen on the idea of a remake, but I can envision Rupert Everett as Higgins.
McConaughey would have to grow a whole lotta chest hair before he could be my Magnum PI.
And I don’t think he’s got the legs. (By the way, how exactly does Tom Selleck have chest fur like a sweater but nearly bare legs? I suspect a Russian lady waxer, or a chest merkin.) I love the show in part for the way it shows so clearly how standards of masculine beauty can change so fast.
Also, Tom Selleck makes me go all tingly.
I know what you’re thinking. And you’re right. I am skeptical about taking this particular part of my childhood and updating it to modern times.
Obviously the whole Vietnam thing won’t work out, regardless of who they cast (realistically, anyway, considering the studios). Gulf War? Iraq, if they want to take an “early years” approach?
Good Housekeeping, Feb 2008, page 34, in an interview with Tom Selleck:
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the proposed Magnum, P.I. movie starring Matthew McConaughey?
A: Oh, I’d heard it was going to be George Clooney. Regardless of who they hire, assuming it’s not me, I think a lot of Magnum fans will be very upset. And I’ll be glad to hear it.
I think they would probably do the “early years” approach, introduce Magnum as a security expert guarding Robin Masters.
Heh. My girlfriend and I were flipping channels one day, and came across a McConaughey movie from a few years ago. It took a little while to identify it (which for me, as a movie geek, was a source of endless humiliation): Two for the Money.
Anyway, within a minute of landing on the movie, McConaughey had peeled off his shirt for no reason. I seem to remember the character was in his office, and had decided it would be fun to admire himself in the mirror or something.
I said: “Has this guy ever done a movie where he didn’t take off his shirt?”
Girlfriend: “No, thank God.”
So that might explain part of his enduring semi-stardom.
ETA: And just for the record, McConaughey did manage to pull off, reasonably well, the slightly-crazy hard-ass military type in the otherwise dopey dragon movie Reign of Fire.
It all comes down to the moustache.
Nice! At least he didn’t pull his punches.
I imagine it was partly tongue in cheek, partly bitter truth! 
I agree with the general theme of the thread. While I think MM can nail the “devil may care” attitude, his casting misses the vulnerability of Magnum. Thomas Magnum survived Hell on Earth and decided to bumble through life to cope with the aftermath. But he was still and smart and emotionally complex person.
The best episodes were the ones where Magnum showed his depth. MM, while I like his work, is not what I would call the Grand Canyon.
When I lived in Hawaii the Summer of 1986, I saw an episode being filmed. I even have a picture of me with his Ferrari. I’ve been a fan ever since.
If he’s driving a hybrid Ferrari, I’m walking out.
I know a lot of people dislike him but I think Ben Affleck would be a good Magnum.
Too young, too lightweight.
MM as Magnum? Nah. Athough there are worse choices (Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, I’m lookin’ at you).
In his 30s, Selleck would have made a good Dirk Pitt (and he was almost Indiana Jones).
I’d rather see George clooney as Thomas Banacek.
I think Vince Vaughan would be a good Magnum. he’s got the humor, the quick wit and the bonhomie, but I think he’s also got the ability show some steel, some rage, some violence when he has to. I don’t know how he’d look with the moustache, though.
And heck, if you’re going to do that, why not just go all the way and hire Jean-Claude Van Damme to play Magnum. That way it can go straight to video and no one need be particularly embarrassed about the whole thing, plus it’ll save loads on marketing and distribution costs.
Also, I think they should get Gene Hackman to play Higgins, as he always brings a certain gravatas to a role and will also take any job for spending cash. I’d say Michael Caine, but he’s already entrenched in the Batman films, and we wouldn’t want this to be seen as derivative.
Stranger
He had better have a Tiger’s cap. If he changes it to some sucky Texas team he will be killed.