While we won’t see NBC’s Munsters reboot, Mockingbird Lane until mid-season of the 2012-13 season, we can tell you will take over for Fred Gwynne in the role of Herman Munster.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sliders star Jerry O’Connell will take up residence at 1313 Mockingbird Lane as Herman.
In the reboot, Herman — like in the original series — has a permanent home under Grandpa Munster’s thumb. O’Connell joins the previously cast Eddie Izzard, who will play the powerful and quick-witted vampire in a role that was originated by Al Lewis.
The reboot is being produced by Pushing Daisies creator Brian Fuller.
The star from Sliders? I think he’s a bit short for that role. Well, let’s see how it turns out.
Considering that Jerry’s about 6’2″, which is already taller than 90% of Hollywood’s stable of actors, and that Fred Gwynne was about 6’4″, I’m pretty happy they got as close as they did!
When I saw “Jerry” in Summer’s comment on the sidebar I immediately thought “Jerry Doyle” and thought he would make a great Herman Munster! But Jerry O’Connell’s ok too. 🙂
Something amusing just occurred to me.
Penn Jillette is the right stature and has a sharp sense of comedic timing as well as a wicked sense of humor. He could have been a good “reboot” Herman Munster, if he were so inclined to get into series work.
But I do wonder if he’d have been tempted by or considered for that role if they’d gone with a reboot movie rather than a series.