Rawson Marshall Thurber has signed on to write and direct the big-screen adaptation of "Magnum P.I." for Universal Pictures. Brian Grazer will produce the feature via his Imagine Entertainment banner.

"Magnum P.I.," the 1980-88 CBS series created by Glen Larson and Don Bellisario, followed the adventures of Thomas Magnum, a Navy intelligence officer-turned-private investigator hired by wealthy author and playboy Robin Masters to oversee security on the latter's massive Hawaii estate. Magnum lived in Masters' guest house and drove his Ferrari (the car would become one of the show's signatures), much to the chagrin of Jonathan Higgins III, a proper Englishman who ran the estate. Magnum also continued to take on cases in which he was aided and abetted by his Vietnam vet buddies, notably helicopter pilot T.C. and club manager Rick.

The series made Tom Selleck a star and put Ferrari posters on the walls of teenage boys' bedrooms.

Thurber, who wrote and directed the hit comedy "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," is not making a spoof but rather something akin to the tone of the show, which mixed humor and danger. The story line for the film sees Magnum, with the help of his former military pals, searching for a missing buddy.

Larson and Bellisario will executive produce the film.

Universal president of production Donna Langley and director of development Erik Baiers will oversee the project for the studio. Senior vp motion pictures Kim Roth will oversee the project for Imagine.

Before making his feature debut on "Dodgeball," CAA-repped Thurber directed the popular "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" ads for Reebok.