Action, Danno.

After years of rumors, speculation, and if-ever cynicism, a "Hawaii 5-0" feature film finally seems to be nearing reality. After a ferocious bidding war, DreamWorks won the rights (over four others, reportedly) on Monday. A script is already written.

The show ran for 12 years. It surely left it's mark on American pop culture. Times have certain changed since then (hopefully, Wo Fat won't be a one-dimensional racial stereotype in the movie), but then again, with "Lilo & Stitch" laying the groundwork, Hollywood seems on the verge of wanting to go back to those campy Hawaiian days.

A pity it took this long to get someone to sign on the dotted line, though. Most of the original cast has passed away, preventing some worthwhile cameos. (Is James "Danno" MacArthur still around?)

It ain't Slackers or 22 Films about Honolulu, but it's another juicy morsel for Hawaii. Presuming, of course, it's filmed here.

Comments

Man, as long as they make it more like Mission: Impossible than McHale's Navy, I'm all for it. The original series was, and still is, a sentimental favorite for this TV junkie - and not just because us 'Bows adopted the theme song for their own. :)

What is this I once heard about Jim Carrey at one point being considered for Steve McGarrett?

The other tiki-era favorite that I've been waiting for, though I don't think it ever left development, is Charlie Chan - I heard that there was one being brainstormed on the lots, with a darker script (based on historical accounts of HNL in the war years - think a cross between LA Confidential and Flower Drum Song), less stereotyping (the real Charlie Chan was a more complicated and amoral character than in the old movies) and the definite possibility of shooting in Hawaii (in other words: Hotel Street, finally!)... the only beef being that the studios couldn't decide whether they would cast Jackie Chan (crowd pleaser) or Chow Yun-Fat (noir antihero).

It better not be Slackers -- that movie looked atrocious. Slacker, on the other hand ...

(Singular vs. plural. I wonder why Richard Linklater didn't put up more of a stink over the potential mix-up in branding.)

My brother used to play a game whenever he watched old episodes of HI-50: name that place. It's amazing to see how much Honolulu has changed since the 60s. Shall we start fantasy casting threads?

[Not related to film in HI, but one show I'd love to see on the big screen is Law and Order -- only because there are times I wish the cops in the show could let fly a few cuss words during interrogation scenes. I was rather shocked to hear Capt. Jean-Luc Picard exclaim "shit!" in Star Trek: First Contact.]

Ryan: Most of the original cast has passed away, preventing some worthwhile cameos. (Is James "Danno" MacArthur still around?)

Apparently so; he'd be 65 this year. The other major one I can think of who's still around is Kam Fong (Chin Ho Kelly), but he's getting up there in age (84).

Stella: What is this I once heard about Jim Carrey at one point being considered for Steve McGarrett?

Well, they cast Dan Aykroyd as Joe Friday in Dragnet, so anything's possible, I guess.

I dunno. I just can't see Hawaii 5-0 on the big screen withtout Jack Lord. It's just not right for the same reason that the upcoming Starsky and Hutch movie isn't right without David Soul, Paul Michael Glaser, and Antonio Fargas. The updated version stars Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Snoop Dogg. Owen Wilson is okay, but Ben Stiller?!?! What's up with that?

What I would really like to see is a Magnum PI movie. There have been talks over the years from the likes of Tom Selleck and the other cast members, as well as the fans in getting MCA/Universal to commit to a movie deal.

Stella, definately Chow Yun Fat. Some years ago, Jackie Chan actually wanted to make an updated Charlie Chan movie, but it fell through.

Hmmm...now that I think about it, maybe Chow Yun-Fat might make a good Wo Fat. :)

Starsky and Hutch: I'm already having visions of Owen Wilson singing "Don't Give Up On Us Baby" (the one hit song from David Soul's ill-fated music career - and an obsession with S&H fans posting on Jumptheshark.com) so I'm afraid this one's going to be too hilarious for words. If it was Jack Black instead of Ben Stiller, though, I'd definitely give it a look.

Anyway, back to all the other Hawaii-based projects...

Yeah, that Magnum PI reunion has been brewing for years now. And with reunion specials being a hot TV commodity these days (see: upcoming Cosby Show reunion sans Lisa Bonet), why not?

HI5-0: I know it's pretty hard to imagine it without Jack Lord, but I remember an early script treatment getting leaked somewhere (Advertiser?) where they acknowledge his absence and have a "new" McGarrett taking over - his son, in fact. (This twist reminds me of Homicide.) 5-0 never really struck me as something waiting to be parodied in the same way Charlie's Angels or Starsky and Hutch were, so there's a part of me that wants this to follow a noir path - but with a stronger consciousness for local culture.

(Another 5-O cast member I know who's still very much around: Moe Keale. Yes, he was part of the series, even though he's better known for his work with traditional Hawaiian music.)

Same with Charlie Chan - as much as I'd like to see Jackie Chan do something dark, I don't think the rest of America may agree, which is why I'm hoping Chow Yun-Fat gets cast. :)

Incidentally, is it just me, or does Honolulu lend itself too perfectly to film noir? I'm reminded of that line in The Maltese Falcon where Bridget tells Sam Spade that "my parents in Honolulu" are worried for her sister. (Wink wink, if you've seen the movie.)

Somewhat related: Greg - EXCELLENT opportunity for a Garrett Wang career revival! (That is, while the movie options for your novel remain unexercised? ;) )

Another thought: Maybe this time they won't make the mistake of showing Iolani Palace playing the role of "Police Headquarters" this time around, unlike in the old series... ;)

Stella: Another 5-O cast member I know who's still very much around: Moe Keale.

Uh...not anymore. Sorry.

Ah. Stella was right (commenting in a later thread): The DreamWorks deal is no longer solid.

The deal breaker so far is that George Litto, who represented series creator Leonard Freeman and now represents his estate, wants Freeman's heirs to have control over the franchise in perpetuity, just as the heirs of the late producer Cubby Broccoli do over the James Bond concept.

Variety reports that DreamWorks was willing to pay millions for the right to make a "Hawaii Five-O" movie but it wasn't willing to pay the sum sought while failing to actually acquire the property. So now DreamWorks is shopping the project to see if another studio will partner with it.

Keith and Kyle have a good article on their site. :)

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