Paramount is developing Hawaii Five-O as a feature film, according to Variety, with Maui-raised filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton developing and directing the project. Chris Bremner and Noah Oppenheim wrote the screenplay, and Guymon Casady is producing after putting the project together with help from the estate of series creator Leonard Freeman.
The project is still early. There is no cast, production date, release date, or announced filming location, and a movie at this stage can still change substantially before cameras ever start rolling. What we do know, however, is the unique pairing of one of television’s most Hawaii-connected properties with a filmmaker who grew up making his first movies on Maui.
Somehow, after nearly 20 years of Beat of Hawaii, we’ve never written about Hawaii Five-O. This seemed like a pretty good reason to start now.
Quick naming note: the original 1968 series was Hawaii Five-O, with the letter O. The 2010 reboot changed the title to Hawaii Five-0, using the numeral zero. Paramount’s announcing its new movie as Hawaii Five-O, returning to the original styling.
The director started making movies on Maui.
Cretton grew up in Haiku and graduated from Maui High School in 1996. He has recalled being in fourth grade when his grandmother brought a VHS camcorder on a family trip. A visit to Universal Studios helped him understand for the first time that the movies he loved were made by real people.
When he returned to Maui, he kept the camcorder. Cretton began filming his siblings, later learned to edit, and shot videos of friends surfing long before filmmaking seemed even remotely like a realistic career.
That career eventually started and included Short Term 12, The Glass Castle, Just Mercy, and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, followed by Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
His Maui ties have remained, most visibly through Hisako Film Lab, the filmmaking program he created for local students and named for the grandmother who first put that video camera in his hands.
The program gives Maui youth hands-on filmmaking experience and brings working professionals into the process. Its 2026 summer program was free, and Cretton was back on Maui again this year working with students whose films were shown.
Five-0 has always been a Hawaii production.
The original Hawaii Five-O debuted on CBS in 1968 and ran for 12 seasons through 1980, featuring Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett. The Hawaii Film Office records the series as being filmed primarily on Oahu during an era when long-running television production in Hawaii was still unusual.
CBS returned in 2010 with Hawaii Five-O, starring Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan. It lasted another 10 seasons, again filming on Oahu, with the state-owned Hawaii Film Studio at the foot of Diamond Head serving as its production home.
After over 20 seasons, the franchise has a long-standing, physical connection to Oahu that goes beyond a story just set here. Honolulu streets, beaches, government buildings, and neighborhoods repeatedly appeared in what viewers experienced, and the show became part of Hawaii’s film history.
That relationship is becoming more unique since Hawaii locations are no longer guaranteed just because Hawaii is in the title. Disney’s Lilo & Stitch left Kauai for Oahu, while last year’s Jurassic World Rebirth went much farther and left Hawaii out of that franchise long associated with Kauai and Oahu.
The movie’s filming location is still unknown.
Nothing announced so far indicates where the new Hawaii Five-O will be filmed. We also found no listing for it among Hawaii Film Office productions, although at this early stage there’s no reason to assume that tells us much yet. Cretton is attached as Paramount develops the project, so the decision about where production happens could still be a ways out.
Where Paramount decides to shoot will determine whether Hawaii gets any role in the production itself. Both television series were made here, but studios now have plenty of other places that can stand in for a tropical setting, sometimes more cheaply and with fewer logistical complications.
Cretton’s involvement adds another possibility that wasn’t part of either earlier series. The filmmaker shaping this film knows Hawaii from growing up here, not from arriving to scout a location. Yet nothing indicates whether that will influence where the movie is made or what version of Hawaii might appear on screen.
Answers may still be a long way off. We’d especially like to hear from readers who remember either series, saw Hawaii Five-O filming around Oahu, or have a particular Hawaii location forever connected to the show in their hearts: would Five-0 feel the same to you if the movie were made somewhere else?
Lead Photo Credit: © Beat of Hawaii at Aliʻiōlani Hale in Honolulu.
By Rob and Jeff, Beat of Hawaii.
Some of the most meaningful parts of Hawaii are the ones visitors walk right past without knowing they are there. We’ve spent nearly 20 years finding them firsthand for BOH as full-time Hawaii residents reporting on travel, culture, and island life, and telling you what they mean for your trip. Join us →
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My Hawaiian Five-O story begins in the late Fall of 1967. I was in the Marine Corps, and on an aircraft carrier that was taking my helicopter squadron to Viet Nam, when we made a stop at Pearl harbor. After docking we were given a 24 hour pass. I along with 3 other Marines went site seeing. We ended up at the Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery. Upon arriving we saw a film crew filming two actors with Diamond Head and Waikiki beach in the background. One of the actors was Jack Lord, He asked if we were going to Viet Nam and could he offer us a Coca Cola. Having previously seeing him in an older TV show, Stoney Burke, we asked him what he was filming. His reply, we are doing a pilot film for some kind of detective show in Hawaii. After spending a 13 month tour of Viet Nam, I came back with no knowledge of Hawaii Five-O being a hit TV series until one night I accidentally channel surfed and saw an episode. It quickly took me back to seeing Jack Lord and Andrew Duggan being filmed.
I loved both Hawaii Five-O and Hawaii Five-0 and of course Magnum P.I. My sister and I were at The Turtle Bay when they did Mixed Doubles. What a great time while they were filming. Loved it when it was the Kuilima. Planning to come back since it’s been awhile.
I love Five-0. Always have. I own the box set of the original series and Foxtel and Paramount Plus have the series to stream. I’m watching Pale ‘la right now.
It was a treat to see an Aussie playing the lead and I hope the new cast will be a mix of the magic of both versions.
Aloha.
Not to film a movie called “Hawaii Five-O” in Hawaii is nasty. Other movies and TV shows made use of the studios in Hawaii, certainly this one should. Both series, original and reboot, were done there and great. I was a huge fan of both versions. Two versions of Magnum PI were done there also along with various movies – to make someplace else look like Hawaii is silly. Why substitute when you already have the best!
I’m old enough to have watched both series in first run. The opening sequence with the theme by the Ventures. Unforgettable.
If the want to spread the locations to some of the other islands as well I’m okay with that. A little more Hawaii in the Five-O.
Gotta love that original theme recording! The drummer responsible for the theme was John Guerin who was Hawaii born and was about 31 years old at the time. While not well known by the general public he was one of the most sought after studio drummer/percussionist in Hollywood. Even after being one of the best he was still studying the craft with one of the best teachers in the country. I had the privilege to have met him a couple of times at our teacher’s home. (No, I was never a grat player)
I loved the 1968 series. I remember as a kid watching it and loving Jack Lord! I hope they do make a movie. I would definitely go to see it.
I was the head of program testing at CBS when the rebooted pilot was shot. There was no doubt it was going to series as the international interest was strong enough to make the show profitable from the start. I wound up flying back to LA on the same flight as Alex O’Loughlin and we had a nice chat. I hope they shoot the film in Hawaii- it would be so beneficial to the local economy. And, worth mentioning, the best theme music in the history of theme music.
Why would w movie about Hawaii be made anywhere else? It doesn’t exist without it.
Overdue
This is great news! I loved both of the Hawaii Five O shows and appreciate the chance to see it again on the big screen. Fingers crossed that it will still be filmed on location in Hawaii because nothing else looks or feels the same in my opinion!
Aloha,
I have been reading you for just a few years but enjoy each presentation. My wife and I moved to Hawaii in 2000 as it was one on my life goals when I was a young teenager.
Your recent story on Hawaii Five-O is very interesting to us. I have been a great fan of all iterations since they first came to tv.
In the mid 2000’s (I can’t remember what year), we owned several The UPS Stores on Oahu. I was contacted by someone associated with the production of the show and wanted to use our Bishop Street store in one of their episodes. I agreed. Their crew came, explained how things would go and set up there filming equipment. Scott Caan was the lone actor and it centered on breaking open one of our mailboxes to get some important mail leading to the whereabouts of an important drug criminal they were after.
The filming went well. Crowds galore formed all around on the sidewalks to watch.
We love all things Hawaii 5-0! Hope it comes to fruition.
I was in Hawaii in 2014 when they were filming 5-O. At the end of the show, the camera panned down Lewers street and caught me walking towards the ocean. That was my 6 seconds of fame, although they only showed me walking away. I still haven’t received my royalty checks! Great show.