“Who the hell do you think you are?” Tom Selleck risked everything to save Magnum P.I. from disaster

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For Tom Selleck, Mangum P.I. was a significant project that demanded more than just his acting skills. Not only did he relinquish the role of Indiana Jones, but also put his entire career on the line for this opportunity. He made this decision because he saw the potential in the TV series and the character he would portray, a potential that wasn’t immediately evident in the first script he received.

The script for the pilot of Magnum P.I. was considered “awful” by the actor. He felt that Thomas Magnum could have been developed further in this portrayal as he seemed flat and overly perfect, similar to Bond. The actor recognized that maintaining Magnum in this manner would potentially ruin an intriguing project, so he made it clear – modifications were essential.

During an interview with Esquire, Selleck shared a piece of valuable advice he got from Jim Garner. Specifically, when Selleck expressed his disappointment over receiving a weak script, Garner wisely reminded him, “You don’t hold the reins of power right now, but if they consider you for this role, you will never have as much influence as you do at this very instant.

Here’s what transpired: I made a firm decision and asserted, “No.” They questioned my audacity, saying, “Who do you think you are? You haven’t even been on the air yet.” However, they hired a new writer who produced an outstanding pilot. If it hadn’t succeeded, I doubt I would have had another chance to work. The studio would have ensured that.

Thankfully, everything seemed to favor Selleck during this process. He skillfully showcased his abilities, and as he admitted, “The network took a liking to Don Bellisario’s pilot for Magnum.” However, there was still one obstacle to overcome – the network requested that references to Vietnam be eliminated from the character’s backstory. Bellisario and Selleck stood firm on this issue, which later turned out to be significant as Selleck discovered years later when he was praised for the fact that Magnum P.I. became “the first series that portrayed Vietnam veterans in a positive manner.

Bringing the modern-day version of “Magnum P.I.” to fruition wasn’t a walk in the park, but through Tom Selleck’s determination, he managed to breathe life into this portrayal of history.

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2025-05-21 14:32