It’s long been rumored that George Clooney is up for the role of Thomas Magnum in the coming movie update of the classic eighties TV series ‘Magnum P.I.’. Really, it never was much of a rumor. More like wishful thinking. Clooney has repeatedly denied the rumor and even gone so far as to say he wouldn’t be interested in the part even if it was offered. Why would he be? He’s George Clooney. He’s busy making movies like Good Night, and Good Luck and Syriana, the man doesn’t need to do rehashed eighties fluff.

But the George Clooney as Magnum rumor is back in rotation again, this time courtesy of a story over at Digital Spy. They say Vince Vaughn and George Clooney are currently “battling it out” over the role of Magnum. Battling it out? Vince Vaughn is a big star, but he’s no George Clooney. There’s no battle there. If Clooney wanted the role, they’d be fools not to give it to him and forget about Vince.

Digital Spy quotes an unnamed source from Sky Showbiz as proof of their rumor. Unnamed sources are never reliable sources, but this one to have an inside track. Believe it or not. The unnamed source also says, “George is still favourite but, as time goes by, Vince's name will be thrown up more and more.” Well that sounds… completely unreliable.

The film is being written by Rawson Marshall Thurber, who wrote the Vince Vaughn starring vehicle Dodgeball, so there is at least some connection for Vince. I like Vince Vaughn, but he’d be a terrible choice for the part. That said, he’s also exactly the sort of guy they’d probably pick for it. I just can’t see George Clooney agreeing to be any part of Magnum P.I., even though he’s the only guy outside of Tom Selleck who’d be absolutely perfect for the role.