Dermot Mulroney Cast in Rockford Files Remake
By Krystal Clark
Most of us aren’t old enough to remember the popular series “The Rockford Files” that aired from 1974-1980. It starred James Garner as a private eye who had his own way of getting things done. According to Reuters, we can expect to see a new Jim Rockford on our television screens next fall and this time he’ll be played by My Best Friend’s Wedding star, Dermot Mulroney.
There are entirely too many TV reboots happening during this year’s pilot season and there’s nothing we can do about them. Dermot Mulroney was known for being the “it” guy in the late eighties and throughout the nineties but after the turn of the century his career simmered down a bit. The actor is trying something new, and “The Rockford Files” will mark his first stint as a television regular.
The show will be executive produced and written by “House” creator David Shore, which means it could be a surprise hit. The new Rockford character is described as “slightly crumpled, wry humored, cynical, world weary, compassionate when it’s called for and easily irritated by morons.” I don’t know about you but doesn’t that sound like House with a P.I. license?
The one question I want answered is, how will this impact the ongoing quest for viewers to learn the difference between Dermot Mulroney and Dylan McDermott? “The Rockford Files” will air on the NBC network.
What do you think of Dermot Mulroney being cast as the new Jim Rockford? Do you think the show should be remade?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 12:21AM
I was too young to enjoy the Rockford Files when it was on in the 70s, but a few years ago I went and watched the whole series in reruns, because I thought it was a lot of fun! James Garner is one of those actors who is just immensely likable, and the show had a great balance of humor and intrigue. Sure it was dated, but it usually overcame whatever anachronisms were present. I think a reboot of the series could be good if done right, and I think Dermot Mulroney is a good choice for the role. It will be interesting to see where this goes!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 1:05AM
I am excited that Dermot Mulroney was chosen as Jim Rockford. Now I will have something to watch on TV again, besides reality shows. This man, DM, is remarkable in every thing I have seen him in……..32 movies, and Friends. He is talented. Now, I can hardly wait to see the Rockford Files!
Thank you NBC!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 2:40AM
Anybody ask James Garner what he thought?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 1:27AM
One of the hallmarks of the Rockford Files was the excellent writing. I don't think they will be able to recreate the sarcastic humor of the old show.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 1:40AM
This is my all time favorite show. I like the casting but am worried NBC is the network. They have canceled other shows I liked with no explanation. LIFE, VEGAS. They will screw this up. It has to be done right. They have to bring in Garner and Cannell, Bartlett, and Chase, if all alive, to at least advise. We must take care of our iconic shows. Please NBC don't screw this up!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 6:03PM
I'm excited about this also. I do remember the original. The cast and the writing were great. Please don't screw this up NBC. It would be nice to see some cameo's of the original characters (especially Angel). Looking forward to this.
Thursday, March 4, 2010 2:42AM
Its OK with me . I don't know him but he's kind of looks like James Garner in a way just hope he can act half as good and it will be a hit . Who didn't like Garner !!!!!!!!! Janice Cleburne Texas
Friday, March 5, 2010 9:31PM
I AM old enough to remember Rockford. I'm reading the text, and they've already screwed it up. They are making him an ex cop. That screws up alot of the police motivation, and makes him a more reasonable detective. The shtick is he's con artist gone straight. Not 'savvy ex police guy'. Eh I'll give it a chance, but this single line is very disappointing to me. I do like the people involved. I don't know enough about Mulroney to say either way, but David Shore and Steve Carrell give me hope.
Thursday, March 11, 2010 2:02PM
[...] – By Krystal ClarkWhen we announced that My Best Friend’s Wedding star Dermot Mulroney was set to star in the NBC remake of “The Rockford Files,” a lot of you were interested in how they [...]
Saturday, March 13, 2010 1:23PM
What a dreadful revisionist re-writing mistake, making Jim Rockord an ex-cop instead of an ex-con. Much of the perfection of the original series was that as an ex-con Rockford was a little down at heel, a little desperate and he struggled to get work or to get the job done, and that made the series stand out. I mean how "original" an ex cop turned private detective. Then on to the second spectacular fail, missing the opportunity of casting Joe Flanigan. if ever a show was crying out for a leading man who can carry off slightly seedy, down at heel and rough around the edges with charm it's Joe. While Mr Mulroney is a handsome guy and a good actor with charm and carisma you only have to watch Joe in the "Vegas" episode of Stargate Atlantis to know how perfect he is for this role. Damn it this is why I HATE playing it safe TV companies so much. Another opportuinty to make something great with flair and a slight edge missed for the sake of playing it safe.
Monday, March 15, 2010 6:14AM
I have a feeling this won't turn out well. The Rockford Files was one of the few TV shows that NEVER jumped the shark. Some people point to the made-for-TV movies, but those came in the 1990s, long after the show had finished. On one hand The Rockford Files is one of my all-time favorite TV shows and for that reason I am excited about it returning. On the other hand, I have a feeling trying to imitate James Garner and company and the magic that cast created won't go over well at all.
As I have read elsewhere, I wonder why they decided to recreate the originals, i.e., Dennis Becker, Rockford, etc. It seems to me they should have made it a nephew of Rockford (or something like that) and changed it up rather than try to recreate the same thing.
David Shore created a pretty good character in House, so I hope lightning strikes again here. I would love for this to succeed but am scared it won't.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:50PM
I love Dermot Mulroney. Can't wait to see this remake. It looks as if it will give the Hawaii Five O remake a run for its money and it will be filmed HERE! Go Dermot!!!!!!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 6:31AM
WTF! !!! The rockford files was one of the best series on tv.I grew up watching this show and remaking it just shows how sad things have gotten these days.I truly feel bad for those of you too young to remember what great original talent that went into making a show like rockford.
Who on earth honestly believes that Dermot Mulroney could possibly fill James Garners shoes here?? What the hell is wrong with you people??
Remaking this show at all is so pathetic it makes me pissed that there doesn`t seem to be any original ideas left in hollywood anymore.I am glad that the original show is missed enough to wish it could be remade but,it was comprised of too many elements in such a magical mix that I really wish that all involved will come to thier senses and come up with some truly original stuff instead of mangling some of the best television ever made and honor all of the talent alive or dead who made it so great by leaving it alone!!!!!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010 2:46PM
Bad idea. The fact that someone wants to remake the Rockford Files instead of coming up with a new idea for this time period indicates that the original writing that made the Rockford Files sing is not going to underpin the remake. I'll stick to my DVDs with Garner. He's the man.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 6:26AM
So this is it huh ? The end of any orginal programming whatsoever. Is hollywood so pathetic now that there gonna remake anything that has ever been done . Why not do that with books to . Does this mean in 20 years someones gonna have the bright idea to " remake " friends or hanna montana ? Please God let me be dead by then .
Saturday, April 10, 2010 3:00AM
Nothing short of a blasphemy! They tried it with Kojak and it failed, as it should! What's wrong with thinking up new shows and new characters, too hard? The themes of these kind of shows and characters worked during that era for a certain reason, trying to "modernize" or "update" them will at best come out clumsy. I am, no doubt, biased due to the fact that I grew up watching those brilliantly written cop/p.i. shows. These days when I watch CSI and such, all episodes are soooooo predictable and boring. The more gritty Kojak drama with N.Y.C. being in dire straits during the mid seventies and the Rockford Files set in sunny Cali had many things in common however diametrically opposed they might seem. The depth in social thinking and clever one-liners that was the mainstay of those shows are now nothing short of a far gone echo of the past. Furthermore, casting a "lookalike" for Jim, that tells me the level of imagination that has been given this project! Give it up!
Thursday, April 15, 2010 2:17AM
Awful, awful, awful! Only Hollywood could ruin a classic. The continuing characters, e.g., Charles Martel, cannot be replaced. Of course, there will never be anyone who could hold a candle to Stuart Margolin as "Angel", one of the all-time great supporting characters.
Sunday, April 18, 2010 10:57PM
Make it , with `70's L.A. as the best supporting character, use a couple old scripts on the second and third episode to establish the style with a conviction. 2010's L.A. may be a good juxtaposition to the theme of some episodes, cell phone doesn't work, he is aloof to the internet ( Beth helps in this regard) too many stations on tv ,he watches espn .
Sunday, April 18, 2010 11:20PM
How about an ex-con who love's the show so much ,his method of turning his life around and make it clean is to emulate his hero Jim Rockford of the ROCKFORD FILES; now this may be way way more awkward and make the character a hopeful original and unique in his quest to do right. Huh Huh, think that over David Shore, I could write you an episode or two,( I'm that guy, but as a lead guitarist trying to get into a band with too many guitarists in the world and not nearly enough drummers ..)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 3:30AM
I'm so stoked about a new "Rockford Files". Have been a big fan of James Garner since his days of Bret Maverick. Was so hooked on the RF. I now own all 6 seasons and some of his made for T.V. movies afterwards. Picking Dermont to repraise the role is a winner. Oh so looking forward to the new series. Thx NBC.
Monday, June 14, 2010 2:12PM
I'm with M J Maddox & Melissa. Go away remake. "Rockford Files' was TV's best series ever.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 7:21PM
They remade Star Trek. They remade the A-Team. The new Hawaii Five-0 looks good. I vote YES for Rockford Files joining the group and Dermot Mulroney looks good for the lead. BTW, I liked the Kojak remake.
Thursday, July 22, 2010 3:04PM
Strange that I was just listening to the Rockford Files theme on my iPod and decided to look up RF on the web… and found this interesting item about a series remake. Part of me is excited, but the reality is that it just won't be the same… can't have that original gritty flavor, and especially because it won't have James Garner… a true man's man with a love of all things manly and a distaste for morons and thugs.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 4:09AM
I am in complete agreement with those that say DON"T James Garner is unique, the supporting actors are unique–nothing is to be gained by doing this,