New Angels Need Hart Bypass...

Robert Wagner, best known for the series Hart to Hart and sending himself up in the Austin Powers movies (and also guesting in several recent episodes of NCIS) was all set to be the voice of the never-seen Charlie in the revamped Charlie's Angels, debuting in September.  However it appears he has suddenly dropped out of the project leaving ABC with a problem of who should replace him.

While a new vocal performance is easier to adjust than a physical presence, the role is so pivotal to the concept (an unseen billionnaire sending his 'Angels' out to solve crimes on his behalf)  that it may take some time to decide whose voice is most suitable to follow in John Forsyth's  original footsteps  (Are Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones TOO familiar? Would Patrick Stewart or Liam Neeson be good choices? Please Goddess, not Donald Trump???)  There was much gnashing off teeth when Val Kilmer took over the role of a new 'KITT' in Knight Rider, so much is riding on getting just the right cadence.

In a brisk and overtly undetailed statement, ABC/Sony have told TV Guide that Wagner's departure was down to timing, saying: "Due to his scheduling conflicts, Robert Wagner will need to step away from his duties as Charlie on Charlie’s Angels.”