SNL's MacGruber Hopes to Return as a TV Series

CBR

By Eric Bartsch

Published Feb 10, 2019

SNL sketch and feature film MacGruber could have a new life as a comedy television series, according to filmmaker Jorma Taccone.

Of all the unexpected revivals, Saturday Night Live writer and filmmaker Jorma Taccone is pitching streaming services on a MacGruber series.

“We just spent the last two days pitching it as a series,” Taccone told The Daily Beast. “Eight-to-ten episodes," he said. "I’m really hoping that when you print this there’s an announcement that it’s actually happening, because I know nothing right now. This is the first time I’ve mentioned it, so this may be a tragic interview.”

“We’ve had so many ideas over the years, from the moment we stopped filming. I just love this character so much,” he continued, “We can expand the world now.”

And when Taccone says "we," he means it. “It’s everyone. Val was blown up pretty badly, he’ll have half a head. Everyone is so down,” Taccone said. “What’s nice is that, when you make something that had the heartbreak of not doing so well financially… I would feel terrible if the people involved were embarrassed about it, but Ryan loves that shit, Kristen loves that shit, all the people involved are so psyched.”

MacGruber started out as an SNL skit parodying MacGyver, starring Will Forte. Supposedly a bomb expert, the bungling MacGruber is never as sharp or resourceful as he claims to be. It was adapted into a movie in 2010 starring Forte, Ryan Phillipe, Val Kilmer, Kristen Wiig and a bevy of WWE Superstars. Written and directed by Taccone, MacGruber only earned $9.3 million against a budget of $10 million. However, some consider the movie a cult classic.