The Matlock reboot, starring Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, has already made waves, but behind-the-scenes decisions made things extra interesting. One particular moment in the premiere made a huge stir amongst fans and has had many discussing the details!
A Main Character Added With CGI?
It's known for its suspense! A lawyer has returned to her career. The Matlock reboot, based on Andy Griffith's original show, had audiences interested immediately. Fans knew it was going to be good and those tuning in weren't disappointed!
Madeline Matlock (Kathy Bates) brings a unique character to life in the premiere, using her talents in law to not only take cases to their winning end but discover and highlight underlying problems in the company that hires her! The twist? She has been waiting and was ready to expose this Jacobson Moore law firm,
A core cast includes Beau Bridges in a critical part in this new CBS series.
Beau Bridges and His Role
Beau Bridges is a talented and very experienced actor and even his role, Senior in Matlock, was not a simple inclusion.
The producers wanted to bring in some very big actors but even in this modern update, what's even more intriguing? Well, getting Senior, into this specific spot wasn't always smooth! A different actor, Jamey Sheridan was actually the one that played Senior for this pilot. In a re-casting, Bridges got this coveted spot which resulted in a rather interesting fix to this CBS series premiere, one that has led many fans to question if CGI might be part of Matlock's premiere!
The Mystery of CGI
Viewers may not notice much if they go back to this CBS series but there are many rumors that have sprung up that CGI might have played a part!
- It's speculated that some computer-generated imagery may have been used for his scenes. Perhaps making him show up through a simple computer trick!
- It’s possible this CBS series may have filmed Bridges in another room and then seamlessly put him into that exact boardroom scene. That includes those amazing camera angles!
The cameras have this habit of focusing specifically on Bridges for any of Senior's lines! If that wasn't intriguing enough it shows you some very questionable work.
However, the producers weren't the only ones affected, and we all know just what may have led to this change!
Recasting Challenges
There is never a simple time to produce a movie or television show and some issues really can have huge and powerful results, such as causing massive overhauls! That could impact some special scenes such as with the Matlock pilot! In the period where this project was created a writers strike was happening that gave some massive road blocks. It caused delays!
- Matlock initially got the go-ahead for this new show, a project made by the creator of "Gilmore Girls," and Jennie Snyder Urman, and got picked up back in May 2023, initially meant to premiere in the 2023-2024 television cycle! The production wasn't always perfect.
- The delay also meant other casting elements had to be altered!
- Scheduling problems or maybe the actor wanting out might have affected things, especially during such a long production shutdown. But what did it result in?
Sheridan, originally Senior, didn't end up being the best fit and even then! It was far better to use the talents of Beau Bridges. Using this change actually paid off for CBS! Even though it's speculation as to how this CBS production company was able to insert Bridges into such a key spot, there are many saying this was an incredibly well done effort!
A Remarkable Premiere
Whether it involved CGI or a more subtle cut and paste job that these expert editors worked on. It really paid off. As Matlock went on to have a huge release which outdid nearly everything else released at the same time and the Rotten Tomatoes score! A 100% rating!
While some details might remain behind the curtain of this remarkable premiere and for those viewers who watch carefully it may still appear Bridges wasn't physically there, there was more than just clever camerawork! You might find an intense investigation worth paying attention to and you will need to tune into this show. CBS aired the premiere, but you can get a replay and see what many are saying as an outstanding example of a good production.
