Logo

Cool News

Learn Who Plays Dad Rocky In NBC’s ROCKFORD FILES Pilot!!

Published at:  Mar 19, 2010 12:56:03 AM CDT

I am – Hercules!!


Beau Bridges (“My Name Is Earl”), son of Lloyd and brother of Jeff, will play ex-con private investigator Jim Rockford’s trucker dad Joseph “Rocky” Rockford in the pilot for NBC’s “Rockford Files” remake. Rocky was played by Robert Donley in the 1974 “Rockford Files” pilot, and by Noah Beery Jr. in the resulting TV series.

The 2010 “Rockford” is overseen by “House” creator David Shore. Dermot Mulroney (“Zodiac,” “Burn After Reading”) will play the title character. Alan Tudyk (“Knocked Up,” “3:10 To Yuma”) will play Jim Rockford’s pal, LAPD sergeant Dennis Becker.

Still to be cast is Rockford’s weasely ne’er-do-well associate Angel Martin.

Find all of the Hollywood Reporter's story on the matter here.


Follow Herc on Twitter!!
Follow Evil Herc on Twitter!!



Blu-rays Under $10!!



“The Venture Bros.,” $28.99 last week, is momentarily $15.49/Season!! (48% Off!!)



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 1:00:43 AM CDT

    I get to be first...

    by big dumb ape

    ...About a remake no one gives a shit about or wants. Yay, me!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 3:08:06 AM CDT

    Interesting casting...

    by kurtisaurus

    Can't say I can complain about any of those choices, surprising though that you didn't give the Firefly shoutout for Tudyk.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 3:54:11 AM CDT

    Why not James Garner?

    by 3d-man

  • Mar 19, 2010 4:10:52 AM CDT

    David Shore

    by knightrider

    Didn't he also script episodes of the original series?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 4:12:45 AM CDT

    James Garner

    by knightrider

    While I think it'd be a nice touch to include James Garner, overall I think it'd be too much of a distraction to have him play the Noah Beery role.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 4:15:52 AM CDT

    Hmm, nice try, but no.

    by jt kirk

    Beau is a great actor, but the deck is stacked against him here. Shit, I'd rather see him as the main character than as the dad, I don't give a fuck about his age. But to see him play Rocky on this version of the show, it feels like a cheap grab for another "name" actor over substance. He'll end up used as a cheap cameo week in and week out, he'll go off to do other work and then just drop by once in a long while.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 4:27:00 AM CDT

    Oh, I don't know...

    by andrewwankenobi

    A few months back, I watched every episode of the series on Netflix instant and was thinking to myself, "I'm surprised that they haven't decided to remake The Rockford Files". I'm not kidding. Everybody loves a great detective show. Plus, people can relate to Rockford. Including the fact that he's broke and usually has bill collectors hounding him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 4:27:52 AM CDT

    10 to 1 they cast a black guy for the role of Angel Martin.

    by andrewwankenobi

    Outside of Dermot Mulroney, I can't say I'm that happy with the casting. Just sayin'.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 4:49:04 AM CDT

    Stuart Margolin: big shoes to fill

    by revelshade

    Two Emmys for the role. He's still working so watch for a cameo (or even better a recurring guest slot).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 5:43:18 AM CDT

    James Garner..

    by carl's hat

    hasn't been in the best of health over the last couple of years. In fact one of the reasons he stopped doing the original Rockford series was because his doctors told him it was wreaking havoc on his health and he needed a break. Much as I love Garner and the Rockford Files, I do remain hopeful for this show. TV needs a working class, punching, lazy anti-hero at the moment. Jack Bauer wishes he had balls anywhere near the size of Jim Rockford.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 7:14:26 AM CDT

    Dermot Mulroney?

    by bodacious_crumb

    If he can disappear into a role like he did in About Schmidt, then this might be a home run.
    If he plays his usual self, epic failure.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 8:29:56 AM CDT

    Most importantly

    by tigman3d

    What are they oing to do with the show the open? Are they going to do a closeup of a cell phone and we hear it go to VM? "Hello this is Jim Rockford..." And what about the music? I am hoping for an updated version of the old open.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 9:30:42 AM CDT

    Who'll play Richie Brockleman and Lance Vance?

    by mrmysteryguest

  • Mar 19, 2010 9:35:41 AM CDT

    THIS IS GOING TO FUCKING SUCK!!!

    by stabby

    There is absolutely no need to remake the greatest detective tv show ever made. So, much of what made that show great other than top notch writing was the perfect casting and the chemistry between the actors. You cannot replace any of them: James Garner, Noah Beery, Stuart Margolin as Angel. How can you cast Angel with anyone who even comes close. Also, the 70s was a large part of what made the Rockford Files great. It won't translate as well into today's information age. Most P.I. work is done via the internet. Boring!!! And Rockford's business card printing contraption?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 9:40:19 AM CDT

    Beua Brides comes off as kind of smarmy

    by stabby

    And Noah Beery is completely devoid of smarm. Absolutely hate these casting choices so far.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 9:45:27 AM CDT

    Why not just make a similar P.I. show?

    by stabby

    Why do they have to sully the good name of Rockford? Anyone who is nostalgic for the show is not going to watch this bastardization. Except for Herc, that is. He'll probably love it too.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 10:06:58 AM CDT

    Robb Wells as Angel

    by kazamasmokers

    Come on. You KNOW that's perfect casting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 10:07:52 AM CDT

    I really liked the Rockford Files re-make...

    by kazamasmokers

    ...when it was called "Tom Stone".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 10:59:20 AM CDT

    Cast is looking really good.

    by smokingrobot

    I'll give this a shot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 11:26:44 AM CDT

    Robot, give me some of what you're smoking

    by stabby

    This looks like $hit so far.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 11:51:34 AM CDT

    Ghosts of the Past

    by kirsan

    It's not that I'm against a new Rockford Files but that these remakes are usually hobbled by trying to recreate the past. They would be better off if they made their own show even with the Rockford Files as the model but keeping that in the back of their mind instead of recreating the show outright.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 11:55:14 AM CDT

    THERE CAN NOT BE ANY OTHER ROCKFORD

    by kevmoley

    James Garner owned this role..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 1:17:22 PM CDT

    Rockford does not need a reboot

    by gun_will_travel

    The essence of Rockford was that it was a 70s private eye show. Remaking is useless, since 1) it's not the 70s anymore and the feel of the show would be all wrong, and 2) James Garner was iconic in the role. Rockford never went off the rails in any way that requires fixing - leave it alone!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 1:23:51 PM CDT

    Dylan McDernott as Jack Bauer in the 24 movie

    by jtp8000

    Makes about as much sense as Dermot Mulroney as Rockford.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 1:25:39 PM CDT

    If they needed an irish actor whose name begins with D

    by jtp8000

    They should have gone with DB Sweeny as Rockford.

    Still say Joe Flanigan or even better Jeff Fahey should have gotten this role

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 2:01:00 PM CDT

    On the subject of 'Rockford'-like shows ...

    by dogrobber

    ... has anyone had the chance to see 'Republic of Doyle'? I've read that it is similar to 'Rockford', and just wondered if it was any good?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 2:40:27 PM CDT

    Josh Holloway is the only person who may have been able

    by stabby

    to pull Rockford off. At the every least he would have had no problem playing Jimmy Joe Meeker. I have no hope for this and WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE WATCHING IT! Go remake Simon and Simon instead. LEAVE ROCKFORD ALONE!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 2:41:34 PM CDT

    only 3 peolpe can possibly play Angel

    by mr dark

    Guzman-Guzman,and Guzman

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 2:49:57 PM CDT

    Guzman is an obvious choice...

    by andrewwankenobi

    but not a very good one. Angel was a swarmy cocksucker that could do a great impersonation of 'classy' or 'sophisticated' in an elaborate con or fooling a mark. I don't see anyone believing that Luis Guzman is that type of person. Wrong choice.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 3:15:17 PM CDT

    only 3 peolpe can possibly play Angel

    by stabby

    Nobody, no one and nobody!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 3:16:22 PM CDT

    BILLY CRYSTAL FOR ANGEL MARTIN

    by rkdn

  • Mar 19, 2010 3:42:44 PM CDT

    I think there is only one man for Angel...

    by eustisclay

    ...Christopher Walken.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 4:05:00 PM CDT

    JEFF DID NOT THANK BEAU AT THE OSCARS

    by azultool

    I love you Starman, but that was fucked up!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 5:52:10 PM CDT

    Angel Martin will be black..

    by brock landers baby

    and probably a flavor of the month "rap" star.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 8:00:58 PM CDT

    Guzman or Cheech Marin

    by palimpsest

    unless they go ballsy, make Angel female, and cast CCH Pounder.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 8:42:45 PM CDT

    Just keep that cool theme song!!!

    by the gipper

    Update it a bit, but keep that music!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 9:07:06 PM CDT

    James Garner IS Jim Rockford

    by snowpuff

    Accept no substitutes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 9:22:25 PM CDT

    Peter Gerety, maybe Ned Beatty

    by snowpuff

    I would have picked Peter Gerety. Look up his image and you'll recognize him immediately from the TV show Homicide. Also Ned Beatty if he was available would have been good.

    Beau Bridges is a fucking uninspired choice. He pretty much always plays Beau Bridges and is immediately going to sap energy from the portrayal of Rocky.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 19, 2010 9:28:06 PM CDT

    Guzman interesting choice

    by leftfoot

    Guzman is an intriguing choice, but, I've never seen him play a stupid weasel. Not sure he could do it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 8:30:27 AM CDT

    Jason Lee as Angel

    by outsidechance

    Though it probably doesn't matter since this show will be canceled within a couple of weeks of airing. Garner IS Rockford. Rockford without Garner is just "generic private eye show" trading on a classic name.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 10:25:19 AM CDT

    "Republic of Doyle" has quirky characters

    by kabong

    but it's Republic of Dull.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 10:36:33 AM CDT

    EVERYONE WHO IS A FAN OF ROCKFORD

    by stabby

    PLEASE BOYCOTT THIS FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT SO THAT IT GETS CANCELLED IMMEDIATELY! LET'S SEND A MESSAGE TO HOLLYWOOD TO STOP TRYING TO EXPLOIT OUR NOSTALGIA AND COME UP WITH SOME ORIGINAL IDEAS.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 11:00:43 AM CDT

    TV remakes that have worked?

    by joesixpack

    1. Battlestar Galactica
    anything else?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 11:30:46 AM CDT

    I can't wait for the remake of the Bob Newhart Show

    by margot_tenenbaum

    WHO WILL PLAY BOB NEWHART

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 11:47:17 AM CDT

    Will last as long as...

    by burnednotice_dude

    the Night Stalker. Remember that one?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 1:05:15 PM CDT

    Does Star Trek TNG count as a remake?

    by outsidechance

    If not (and it probably doesn't) I can't think of a single successful remake OTHER than BSG.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 3:56:28 PM CDT

    Beau Bridges eyebrows in High Definition

    by sifodyasjr.

  • Mar 20, 2010 6:44:38 PM CDT

    depends upon what you call a TV 'remake'

    by rkdn

    technically speaking, ER was a remake of St. Elsewhere, which was a remake of Trapper John MD. This sort of 'remake' has been a part of TV history ever since the Flintstones (which was a remake, incidentally)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 20, 2010 7:08:06 PM CDT

    Joe Six Pack, I was thinking the same thing

    by stabby

    And the difference between BSG and TRF is that '76 BSG was a seriously flawed and cheesy tv show with vast room for improvement as opposed to Rockford which was about as perfect as a tv show can be for what it set out to be. BN_Dude is correct: this will be another Night Stalker.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 21, 2010 4:52:24 AM CDT

    Is Zach Galafianakis too "Hollywood" to be Angel?

    by burnhollywood

    Either that, or Luis Guzman. And if they're going with a black guy, let it be Charlie Murphy...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 21, 2010 10:20:59 AM CDT

    RKDN, I believe you are confusing "remake" with "rip-off"

    by big jim

    Although I would hardly say ER was a rip-off of St. Elsewhere. It is debatable, although I tend to look at it as St Elsewhere was popular and NBC said "we want a hospital show like St. Elsewhere, go find one". Not a remake or rip-off, more of just wanting something that someone else made money off of.A remake has a lot more in common with the original than simply a setting or genre. A remake generally uses the same title, same character names, with many other elements being the same or very similar. The Flintstones was not a remake of The Honeymooners, it was, at best, a re-imagining. Again, debatable, as I'd classify it as "Inspired by...".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 21, 2010 6:45:22 PM CDT

    Fisher Stevens for Angel

    by snappy

    See his recent turn in Numb3rs as John Buckley. Slimy-looking? Check. Looks like he can't be trusted? Check. Somehow manages to get trusted anyway? Check.
    As for the rest of the cast, no, no no, no, NO! Shan't be watching.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 21, 2010 10:59:25 PM CDT

    John Leguizamo = Angel Martin

    by dasaroo

    'nuff said.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 22, 2010 10:27:46 AM CDT

    Christ Almighty, fucking NO! Put it next to Knight Rider

    by orcus

  • Mar 22, 2010 2:28:55 PM CDT

    Re-imaging

    by colajacket

    Wouldn't Burn Notice be a re-imaging of Rockford Files? He has his Mom, substituting for his dad. He has Bruce Campbell as his Angel. A drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend. Uses cellphones instead of an answering machine. Only thing he is missing is a redneck pony car.

    Cheech Marin would be great as Angel in a new Rockford Files.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 22, 2010 3:47:27 PM CDT

    When it rains, the cast can hide under Beau Bridges

    by skimn

    eyebrows to keep from getting wet. Christ them things are huge!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 22, 2010 10:11:36 PM CDT

    SNL's Rob Schneider As Angel Martin

    by red dawn don

    Angel Martin was a irritaing, self-serving, coward and Rob Schneider plays that perfectly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 22, 2010 10:12:29 PM CDT

    Irritating?

    by red dawn don

    Damn typos.

    Reply to Talkback

User Login

Forgot password? Retrieve it here

or register as new user

Quick Talkback Form

Please login to post talkback