- The Rockford Files remake pilot episode is complete.
- There is a 1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit in it.
- Early reports indicate that the pilot is no good.
NEW YORK — Maybe James Garner can't be replaced, even if the old Firebird can.
The high profile remake of the classic 1970's private eye show The Rockford Files has hit an unexpected obstacle. Apparently the recently shot pilot sucks.
According to New York magazine's Vulture entertainment site, when NBC executives got a look at the pilot starring the nearly memorable Dermot Mulroney they immediately lost enthusiasm for the project. "NBC isn't talking," the site reports, "but two people familiar with the situation said Rockford turned out to be more rehash than reinvention. The insiders place most of the blame on pilot director Michael Watkins (a TV-drama veteran who has helmed episodes of everything from Quantum Leap to NYPD Blue to Justified), saying he severely weakened a solid script with lackluster, even listless direction."
Beyond that, however, there also seems to be a question as to whether Mulroney, known best as the guy Julia Roberts always nearly gets in every romantic comedy made between 1994 and 1998, can fill the shoes of the legendarily laidback Garner. "Some people who've seen the pilot praise his work — "Dermot's adorable," said one viewer — while others suggest he simply didn't pop," the report continues. "One wag suggests (only half-jokingly) that NBC should start over from scratch and replace Mulroney with Lost star Josh Holloway."
However, this may not be the end for the Rockford reboot. Since the pilot was produced by the star of The Office Steve Carell, they may want to keep him happy and on that show. Plus new NBC Entertainment President Angela Bromstad has put her prestige on the line for the show, having commissioned the script early and attracted House Executive Producer David Shore as the writer and showrunner.
So don't be surprised if Rockford still shows up on NBC significantly modified from its current form. The network is scheduled to announce its fall schedule on Monday.
There's nothing in the article that indicates the gold 1974 Pontiac Firebird used in the pilot to portray Jimbo Redux's ride was in any way responsible for the suckiness.
Inside Line says: If the producers want to contemporize Rockford, put him in a base Ingot Silver metallic 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 as the current closest equivalent to an old F-Car. The only optional equipment Jim would add is the Brembo brakes. — Lee Pray, Correspondent
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455ho says:
10:07 PM, 10/04/2010
Typo- this is not a '74 firebird- it's a '77. '77 is the first year they went to the quad headlight set up. '77 was also the first year a 455ci wan't in the option box. A 6 cyl, 350 or 400 were the only options. I agree- remake the new one using a Lingenfelter T/A that is already being produced privately for interested buyers. They take a new camaro SS and make it over so looks like a Trans-Am. I've seen two different versions: a copycat version of the '70-72 with the cameo white and blue stripe theme or a quad headlight model with a screaming chicken on the hood in the black and gold (Smokey and the Bandit) theme. I'd prefer the 70-72 as it would look great in my garage right next to the original (my '71 T/A)!!
altommaso says:
04:38 PM, 06/13/2010
why not just utilize a 2010 CAMARO with the front and rear ends of a FIREBIRD grafted on, as shown in so many car magazines recently....that'll make it modern & hip, and maybe people will tune in to see the car and not realize the show sucks....
k55 says:
09:57 AM, 05/16/2010
who gives a flyin F what year his Firebird was.......it wasnt even a Formula or TA. Remake the series and use a Camaro or Mustang or Challenger...........will the plot change all that much without a Firebird ?.........Gimme a break............or should I say brake?
jeremy_c says:
06:29 AM, 05/14/2010
Another remake? Those Hollywood script writers must be getting lazy with remakes of 70's series and reality shows. Have they learned from the remakes of Knight Rider, 90210?
pickypundit says:
11:43 PM, 05/13/2010
As the series ran from the fall of 1974, through to 1980, a later year model Firebird was introduced midway through the series which is probably why a lot of people associate the later year model as the sole Firebird employed.
BTW what's so special about a tv character having to drive a newer model vehicle to maintain an audience? This didn't reduce the appeal of '60's Mustang driven by Robert Urich in "Spenser For Hire"; or the '50's Thunderbird he drove in "Vegas"; or how about the Hemi 'Cuda driven by Don Johnson in "Nash Bridges". In the "A-Team," an old GMC panel van was featured as the prime getaway vehicle, and it returns in the "A-Team" feature film due to be released next month.
nottom says:
07:46 PM, 05/13/2010
They used several Firebirds throughout the show's run.
I remember one episode where they actually used high-speed driving shots of a '75 or '76 Firebird but the car that Garner actually drove on set was a '77, which has an entirely different front end. I guess they assumed most Americans wouldn't notice the difference.
bailey6954 says:
06:17 PM, 05/13/2010
I thought his Firebird was a 1977 or 1978 not a 1974.