The role of Jim Rockford in NBC’s Rockford Files pilot redux is cast… and sadly, it’s not Joe Flanigan who got it.

EW’s Michael Ausiello and TV MoJoe are both reporting that Dermot Mulroney got the lead role, making his TV debut.

Thoughts – good? Bad? Leave your comments….

This week’s Ask Ausiello column at EW.com featured a reader question about Joe Flanigan (Stargate Atlantis) being cast in the role of Jim Rockford in NBC’s Rockford Files update. At least for now, the answer is no; or at least “not yet.”

Question: There’s buzz that the talented Joe Flanigan will be cast as the lead in NBC’s Rockford Files remake. Is this true? —Joan
Ausiello: Definitely not true. I think that rumor got started in a Stargate chat room.

Hopefully a casting announcement will come soon. Dozens of commenters to the previous “Joe Rockford” post here at KSiteTV seem to think Joe Flanigan would be a perfect fit, so hopefully he’s at least had the chance to audition!

In this day and age where Twitter makes the news, it is only fitting that now fans are speaking out on a casting choice.

The #JoeFlaniganAsRockford trend has fans calling for the Stargate: Atlantis actor to be cast in the role of Jim Rockford in NBC’s upcoming Rockford Files redux.

Will this trend get noticed by the casting powers that be? Time will tell; a casting announcement for the pilot should come soon as pilots are now beginning to shoot.

Fan demand surely contributed to the casting of Moonlight’s Alex O’Loughlin in CBS’s Hawaii Five-O, bringing the project extra press that might not have been had otherwise.

What do you think? Would Flanigan fit? Sound off in the comments.

In NBC’s new Rockford Files pilot (which will possibly be titled just Rockford), expect this generation’s Jim Rockford to use an answering machine just like his predecessor.

The pilot should shoot in the coming weeks and we’ll learn if it is on NBC’s Fall schedule by May.

Here’s what characters are being cast for NBC’s updated take on The Rockford Files. Lots of old favorites will be present:

STORY LINE
Ex-con-failed-cop-turned-P.I. JAMES ROCKFORD has a situation on his hands when his client is killed and he takes on the widower to protect and find the killer…

[JAMES ROCKFORD] 40ish.. good looking, slightly crumpled, wry humored, cynical, world weary, compassionate when it’s called for, easily irritated by morons, Jim Rockford has a troubled past which includes doing some time as a convict and as a cop, resulting in his now eking out a precarious living as a private investigator. Closest to his dad, Rocky, with some allies in his lawyer/girlfriend Beth and his ex-con buddy Angel, Rockford is reluctant to take on domestic cases… SERIES LEAD

[ROCKY] Late 60s.. affable, trusting, never really got a break in this life and yet that never really upset him, Rocky is Rockford’s dad and closest friend. A truck driver for thirty years, Rocky loves his son but is a bit rueful about the choices he’s made. Rocky’s always happy to help Rockford out in a tough situation, though he tends to offer a commentary that Rockford doesn’t always appreciate…SERIES REGULAR

[DENNIS BECKER] 40ish, hard working, decent, and way too naive to be a cop (which he knows about himself and tries to compensate for by appearing jaded), Dennis is a friend of Rockford’s who’s a bit embarrassed by his friendship, since all the other cops hate Rockford and Dennis would rather not be seen with him…SERIES REGULAR

[LT. DOUG CHAPMAN] Dennis’ boss, a bit of a hard ass who sees idiots every day and so assumes we’re all idiots, Chapman joins Dennis in bringing Rockford in for questioning about a murder, since his fingerprints were at the scene. Chapman makes no secret of his dislike for Rockford..SERIES REGULAR

[BETH DAVENPORT] In her early 30s, pretty but either doesn’t want to show it or doesn’t quite know how, a woman who cares about her work but also cares about people, maybe a bit too much of both, Beth is Rockford’s competent, on-the-spot attorney, and also his (on-again, off-again?) girlfriend. Perfectly willing to get Rockford out of trouble, Beth makes it clear that just getting called in when Rockford gets arrested–which, admittedly, is a lot–isn’t going to satisfy her…SERIES REGULAR/RECURRING ROLE

[ANGEL MARTINEZ] A little younger than Rockford, fast talking, not quite so fast thinking, always looking to work an angle, Angel is a friend and a kind-of little brother to Rockford, and also an ex-con (who’s VERY proud of the fact that he was pardoned). Angel is more than happy to do Rockford a favor and winds up in a very dangerous situation. Open to all ethnicities…SERIES REGULAR

[MARTY VAN KLEEK] In his early 50’s, balding but trying to hide it, a schlubby guy who apparently has a way with women, vulnerable, a bit pathetic, not great at making snap decisions, Marty is the husband of a wealthy CEO, and is VP of her company. When his wife is killed, he fears he may be next so he hires Rockford to protect him …GUEST STAR

[SCOTT MOLNAR] 42, corporate looking but fit, confident, an employee at the uniform company, Molnar is Rockford’s prime suspect in a murder. Though Molnar feels quite smug in his confidence that he’s untouchable by the police, he does eventually come clean about what he’s done…GUEST STAR

[JANET TREMBLAY] In her mid 30s, attractive, too attractive for Marty, with whom she’s having an affair and for whom she genuinely cares, Janet bravely and loyally stands by Marty when he goes to Rockford for protection in the aftermath of his wife’s murder. Unfazed by the mess Marty has gotten her into, Janet, to Marty’s surprise, remains with him even after he learns that he hasn’t inherited a penny from his dead wife’s company…GUEST STAR

[CAROLE MITCHELL] In her late 40s, capable, smart, carries herself like the CEO she is, Carole runs a very successful uniform company, and she hires Rockford to investigate a case and is furious when the truth is revealed…

[CARL] The attendant at a car rental company, slightly overwhelmed by his job, not the brightest tool in the trunk, Carl is amazed when Rockford brings back his third car that week with a serious dent…

[RECEPTIONIST] This receptionist at the uniform company is confused by Rockford’s deliberately confusing explanation of who he is and why he’s there, and winds up letting him in to the otherwise protected office…

Could it be possible to come up with a Jim Rockford as great as James Garner had been in the 1970’s (not to mention a handful of TV-movies decades later?)

NBC’s Angela Bromstad seems to think so. Speaking to reporters at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, she had this to say about the script for NBC’s upcoming Rockford Files update, which will premiere this fall if all goes well:

“It’s just that great character. There isn’t that P.I. character on television right now. So if we do a creative reinvention of that, that title I don’t think there’s anyone better to do it than David Shore, who creates such a great character in House. And I will tell you the script was just one of the best Christmas presents I’ve had in a long time… it [feels] very contemporary but has all the hallmarks of the original series.”

You can read more comments from Bromstad at the TCA Press Tour over at The Futon Critic. As for the series itself, as shows like Bionic Woman have shown us, it’s quite difficult to revive a well-loved show with a different lead actor. However, if Garner himself were to play Jim Rockford’s dad Rocky, I know I wouldn’t complain… (hint hint)

Following the news that The Jay Leno Show will likely vacate its nightly 10PM slot, THR is reporting that NBC is likely going to announce a number of hour-long drama pilots in contention for next season to fill some of those holes.

New shows include a series called Rex Is Not Your Lawyer starring Doctor Who’s David Tennant, a revived Rockford Files written by House creator David Shore, and a new project by David E. Kelley. (Apparently “David” is the name to have if you want a place at NBC these days. Paging Hasselhoff…)

Also on tap is a J.J. Abrams spy series titled Undercovers.

So far, NBC won’t confirm any pick-ups for sure, though it is expected that some will be announced at tomorrow’s blood bath presentation to television critics.

UPDATE 1/10/10: NBC has confirmed that these series are now picked up as pilots. Stay tuned for more info!