The “Magnum PI” Twist: How Tom Selleck Almost Became ‍Indiana Jones

⁢ ⁢ ⁢ Updated may 31,⁢ 2025
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As “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” hits theaters, a little-known casting story resurfaces: Tom Selleck, the future “Magnum PI” star, nearly donned the fedora ⁤first. Had CBS ⁤not greenlit “Magnum PI,” Selleck might have been⁢ the iconic archaeologist.

In 1979, the⁣ search‍ for Indiana Jones was on. Steven Spielberg favored Harrison Ford, fresh off “The Empire Strikes‍ Back.” However, George Lucas hesitated, wary ⁢of repeatedly casting the same actor. Auditions included a slew of big names, from Steve Martin to Jack Nicholson, as Spielberg and Lucas debated ⁣whether the film should be a spoof or a sincere homage to the serials of the‍ 1930s and ⁣40s.

Ultimately, the choice narrowed ‍to Jeff Bridges and Tom Selleck. Bridges, eager for a commercial hit after “Heaven’s Gate,” was willing⁤ to sign on for multiple films at a bargain price. But Marcia Lucas, george’s wife, championed Selleck after seeing his audition with Sean Young, who was vying for the role of Marion Ravenwood. She believed Selleck was destined for ⁤stardom.

Selleck landed the role, but ‍fate intervened. He had already filmed pilots for six failed shows.Once word spread that ‍he was Spielberg and‍ Lucas’s choice for Indiana Jones, CBS decided to pick up his most recent ‍pilot: “Magnum PI.”

With Selleck ⁢contractually obligated to “Magnum‍ PI,” Harrison⁣ Ford stepped in as Indiana Jones,cementing⁤ his place in cinematic history. Jeff Bridges, simultaneously occurring, ⁣took a role in Disney’s “TRON,” ⁤released in July 1982.

The “Magnum ⁢PI” remake, which premiered on CBS on ⁣Sept. 24, 2018,⁤ was canceled by NBC on⁢ June 23 ⁤after five seasons. The original “Magnum ⁢PI” debuted in December 1980 and ran for eight seasons.

What’s next

The final 10 episodes of “Magnum PI” season five are yet to air on NBC. The network has not announced⁣ a premiere date.