"I love it when a plan comes together!"

Another '80s TV show is set for reincarnation as a big-screen project: "The A-Team" is planning a June 12, 2009 release with director John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood", "Higher Learning") at the helm.

E! Online reports that the movie's plot will mirror that of the TV show, which ran from 1983-87: A close-knit band of four ex-soldiers, falsely convicted of a war crime, now for hire to solve your personal problems -- complete with chases, explosions and plenty of catchy dialog.

Nobody has been cast in the movie yet, though Woody Harrelson has been mentioned for the role of "Howling Mad" Murdoch, and Ice Cube has publicly said he wants the part of B.A. Baracus -- made famous by Mr. T.

"I wouldn't try to duplicate what Mr. T did, but I will have the same impact on you when you were little watching the TV show," Ice Cube tells Blackfilm.com. "I'm going to bring my own flavor to it and I am going to do the mohawk."

TOP 5 MEMORABLE LINES FROM THE A-TEAM:

5. "Shut up, fool!"

4. "You've been found sane?"

3. "I'm a bird! I'm a plane! I'm a choo-choo train! Touchdown!"

2. "I pity the fool who goes out tryin' a' take over da world, then runs home cryin' to his momma!"

1. "I love it when a plan comes together!"

Comments

[Bassnote]

I quote #1 all the time.

[Marissa]

I quote #1 frequently at work...and I never watched A-Team. Although, I do love the episode of The Family Guy when the guys refuse to remove their A-Team costumes and run around pretending to be the A-Team.

[jane]

While I never watched this show, I do have a fine appreciation for the wonder that is Mr. T. Which is why this was my favorite Christmas stocking stuffer last year:
http://www.wickedcoolstuff.com/mrtinyopotak.html

It's awesome.

[Douglas Arthur]

I can totally see Ice Cube in this movie, and Woody would probably be a good fit too, though a bit long in the tooth. I just hope Singleton does the right thing and at least brings Mr. T back for a cameo or small role. He's still kicking around.
How about Bruce Willis in the George Peppard slot?? And maybe Ryan Phillipe as Face?

[Marissa]

What's next? Punky Brewster: The Movie?
How about making Three's Company into a feature-length flick. Argh!

[Eric62]

I can see it now, scores of posts that start with: "While I didnt actually watch the show....''

Sure, it was typical 80s pap, with a little more creativity and star power than most, but c'mon people. You watched it. You know you did. CHiPs, too.

It wasnt me alone keeping it alive for five seasons.

[jane]

Nope. Can honestly say I didn't watch it. I was in college when it ran and was probably up to something or other (including but not limited to studying) when it was on.

[Marissa]

I never watched it. I have never seen an episode of CHiPs, either. The only hour long shows I recall viewing were Quantum Leap and Magnum P.I.

[Neil]

Was a huge fan of the show but stopped watching for the lack of killings. They would have some of the most amazing action sequences and shoot ups but everyone would always get up and walk away. That bothered me for some reason.

[Clark]

Isn't Ice Cube about 5'2"?

[El Mike]

Steve,

Glad to hear about the new A-Team movie. I'll definitely check it out. Let's hope this remake is not a clunker like the Knight Rider and Miami Vice remakes!

Does anybody watch 80s TV shows online? If so, you can find plenty of A-Team episodes on Hulu.
http://www.hulu.com/the-a-team

But I think the TV shows of the 80s do not age well, especially action shows. I tried watching episodes of Knight Rider, the A-Team, and Dukes of Hazzard, but they seem really crappy now. Not even craptastic. I can see right through their formula:

Tough guy + beautiful woman sidekick + souped-up vehicle + car chase + fistfight = hit

There are few 80s TV shows that are still watchable. Family Ties and the Cosby Show come to mind - probably because they made an emotional connection with the audience.

You might say it's normal that adults don't like the TV shows they grew up with as kids.

But I wonder why for music, the opposite is true - adults love the music they grew up with. (Otherwise you'd be the only inhabitant of Stuck in the 80s Land!) Maybe it's that emotional connection again.

[TJ]

A-Team was one of the best shows of the 80's. I am looking forward to the movie but I hope they don't screw it up like they did with the Dukes of Hazzard! And Yes, Mr. T should have a small role in here some place! I pity the fool who does not watch the A-Team in action! :-)

[CB]

Well I DID watch the A-team and I loved it. I can't wait to see who they come up with for the cast. I just hope they take their time and come up with a well made script and good story. John Singleton is a good director...I would expect this to be a well done movie.

"In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team."

[Eric62]

One of my first bosses turned me on to The A-team when I was still in college. Pre-professional brown-nosing, it was.

Im thinking a well-made script in this case is something that leans far enough toward the ironic to be fun, like a "Buckaroo Banzai" instead of something trying to be cool but falling flat, like a, oh, I don't know...Megaforce or something.

[John]

Please, make Hollywood stop making movies from marginal TV shows. When will this end?

[Al]

Can't wait! I'm watching Season 2 right now!

Mmmm Melinda Culea!

[Jenny]

Does anyone know what episode Quote #2 comes from? "I pity the fool who goes out tryin' a' take over da world, then runs home cryin' to his momma!"