“The thing that we would always hear about McGarrett is that he was the guy who always got his man and that he was the most focused of the group. That’s a very tough pair of shoes to step into, because Jack Lord was so iconic.
“So what you need to do is to find an actor who can embody the spirit of what he represented, but also bring something new to the table and put his own spin on the character, so you don’t feel like he’s sitting there doing a Jack Lord impression.
“And that’s very much a challenge that we faced on Star Trek when we were casting really everybody.
“The thing about Alex that struck us immediately when he walked in was: he is a natural born leader. I mean, he really comes in, he knows exactly what he wants to do, he’s very focused. He carries himself with a bearing and it felt like, wow – this is a guy who really could be the leader of the team. Plus he is a wild fan of the original Five-0.
“So, I think that combo really made us feel like we had our cornerstone right away and from that we could build outward.”
– Alex Kurtzman, Hawaii Five-0 Executive Producer, July 23, 2010 at the San Diego Comic-Con
So the producers recognized he had the feel of a natural born leader and could really be just the guy to pull off the new McGarrett. Glad to hear that because it puts to rest the ridiculous rumors that the producers weren’t happy with him (from Ausiello, one of whose nasty barbs seemed to be aimed at Alex earlier this year). Alex IS a natural born leader and he will be incredible as Steve McGarrett!
Ahhh, Mizz, you had to be the one to finally let me read this comment I had read about but had been unable to find the original of anywhere. THANKS!!! I love it!! They’re definitely talking about our Alex.
Claudia
Praise like that deserves some special attention! Especially in a week where the focus has been on an event where he wasn’t present and his fans were missing him…
Thank you Mizz. These are all the reasons and then some why I absolutely love, respect, adore, support and follow Alex O’Loughlin and his brilliant acting career! I’m so happy and excited that Alex is portraying Lt. Commander Steve McGarrett on the new Hawaii Five-0, which will be a very successful crime drama series on CBS.
Wow!!! And they saw that right away!!! But of course.
Love the new smiley face!!! 
Thanks Mizz for this one!!!!
Sue Joyce
That is why we love him and adore him so much. Alex is one of a kind. He is going to make Steve McGarrett his character. He doesn’t need to step in anyone elses shoes. He’s got big enough shoes of his own. Love the fact that these guys see it so early on.
(we need a saluting smilie!)
Aloha Lt. Commander Stephen J McGarrett!
Yes, m’am!
That sounds like the Alex we all know and love.
