Blab Entertainment
Paramount Moves Hawaii Five-O from TV to Film with Maui-Born Director Destin Daniel Cretton
Paramount Pictures has announced a bold new direction for the iconic television series Hawaii Five‑O: a feature‑film adaptation. Variety reports that the project will be both developed and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, a filmmaker whose roots run deep in the very islands that inspired the original show.
The screenplay is being written by Chris Bremner and Noah Oppenheim, while Guymon Casady is attached to produce, working alongside the estate of Leonard Freeman, the creator of the original 1968‑1980 series. As of now, no cast, production schedule, release date, or filming location has been revealed, and the film remains in the early stages of development.
Cretton’s connection to Maui is more than a marketing angle. He was born in Haiku, Maui, and graduated from Maui High School in 1996. His first exposure to filmmaking came through a VHS camcorder his grandmother brought on a family trip—a simple device that sparked a lifelong passion. From there, Cretton went on to direct Short Term 12, The Glass Castle, Just Mercy, Marvel’s Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Spider‑Man: Brand New Day. He also founded the Hisako Film Lab, a program that gives Maui students hands‑on filmmaking experience and invites industry professionals to the island.
The original Hawaii Five‑O premiered on CBS in 1968 and ran for 12 seasons until 1980. The show was filmed primarily on Oahu, and the Hawaii Film Office records it as a significant early example of long‑running television production in the state. In 2010, CBS revived the franchise as Hawaii Five‑0, starring Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan. That reboot also filmed on Oahu, using the Hawaii Film Studio at the foot of Diamond Head as its production base, and ran for another ten seasons. Both iterations of the series have become part of Hawaii’s film history, with Honolulu streets, beaches, and government buildings appearing repeatedly on screen.
Because the film is still in development, nothing has been announced about where it will be shot. The project does not yet appear in the Hawaii Film Office’s production listings, and there is no indication that the film will be produced on the islands. Modern studios can use other tropical locations or studio sets to stand in for the islands, often at lower cost and with fewer logistical challenges. Cretton’s personal familiarity with Maui could influence the decision, but no statement has been made about whether the film will feature the islands or a stand‑in.
The decision on filming location will also affect the film’s potential impact on Hawaii’s economy and tourism. The original series and its reboot generated significant interest in the islands, and a feature film could revive that effect if production takes place locally. However, the lack of a confirmed site means that the film’s relationship to Hawaii remains uncertain.
At this point, Paramount has not released any additional details about the project. The studio has also not announced a release window or a distribution strategy. The film’s development status means that the project could still evolve substantially before production begins. Fans of the franchise and residents of Hawaii will likely watch for further announcements from Paramount, the director, or the producers.
In summary, Paramount’s Hawaii Five‑O film is an early‑stage development with a Maui‑born director, a screenplay by two writers, and production support from Guymon Casady and the Leonard Freeman estate. The film’s future location, cast, and release schedule remain unknown, and the project’s progress will be closely monitored by both industry observers and the Hawaiian community.
The screenplay is being written by Chris Bremner and Noah Oppenheim, while Guymon Casady is attached to produce, working alongside the estate of Leonard Freeman, the creator of the original 1968‑1980 series. As of now, no cast, production schedule, release date, or filming location has been revealed, and the film remains in the early stages of development.
Cretton’s connection to Maui is more than a marketing angle. He was born in Haiku, Maui, and graduated from Maui High School in 1996. His first exposure to filmmaking came through a VHS camcorder his grandmother brought on a family trip—a simple device that sparked a lifelong passion. From there, Cretton went on to direct Short Term 12, The Glass Castle, Just Mercy, Marvel’s Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Spider‑Man: Brand New Day. He also founded the Hisako Film Lab, a program that gives Maui students hands‑on filmmaking experience and invites industry professionals to the island.
The original Hawaii Five‑O premiered on CBS in 1968 and ran for 12 seasons until 1980. The show was filmed primarily on Oahu, and the Hawaii Film Office records it as a significant early example of long‑running television production in the state. In 2010, CBS revived the franchise as Hawaii Five‑0, starring Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan. That reboot also filmed on Oahu, using the Hawaii Film Studio at the foot of Diamond Head as its production base, and ran for another ten seasons. Both iterations of the series have become part of Hawaii’s film history, with Honolulu streets, beaches, and government buildings appearing repeatedly on screen.
Because the film is still in development, nothing has been announced about where it will be shot. The project does not yet appear in the Hawaii Film Office’s production listings, and there is no indication that the film will be produced on the islands. Modern studios can use other tropical locations or studio sets to stand in for the islands, often at lower cost and with fewer logistical challenges. Cretton’s personal familiarity with Maui could influence the decision, but no statement has been made about whether the film will feature the islands or a stand‑in.
The decision on filming location will also affect the film’s potential impact on Hawaii’s economy and tourism. The original series and its reboot generated significant interest in the islands, and a feature film could revive that effect if production takes place locally. However, the lack of a confirmed site means that the film’s relationship to Hawaii remains uncertain.
At this point, Paramount has not released any additional details about the project. The studio has also not announced a release window or a distribution strategy. The film’s development status means that the project could still evolve substantially before production begins. Fans of the franchise and residents of Hawaii will likely watch for further announcements from Paramount, the director, or the producers.
In summary, Paramount’s Hawaii Five‑O film is an early‑stage development with a Maui‑born director, a screenplay by two writers, and production support from Guymon Casady and the Leonard Freeman estate. The film’s future location, cast, and release schedule remain unknown, and the project’s progress will be closely monitored by both industry observers and the Hawaiian community.
