Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids) has always found a fascinating balance in directing both B-level action/horror films and hyper-creative family vehicles.
According to “The Hollywood Reporter,” the multi-talented director will next hop aboard a family-friendly project for Warner Bros., a live-action adaptation of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon Jonny Quest.
Along with directing the film, Rodriguez will rewrite the Dan Mazeau-penned script (a 2008 Black List item) with family adventure staple Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean). The film will be Rodriguez’s first family venture since 2011’s Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.
The original Jonny Quest ran from 1964 to 1965 and followed Quest, his father Dr. Quest, bodyguard/government agent Race Bannon and Dr. Quest’s adopted son Hadji as they globetrotted on various adventures.
A Quest film has been in development for quite some time, with a project featuring Zac Efron as Quest and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Bannon making the rounds in 2009. The Goonies director Richard Donner even attempted bringing the cartoon series to the big screen as a live-action film in the mid-90s.
Rodriguez also has a history with Hanna-Barbera projects. In 2007, reports surfaced that Rodriguez was set for a live-action adaptation of The Jetsons, another beloved Hanna-Barbera property. That project also never came to fruition.
No release date is set for the adaptation, but Quest fans can catch their favorite boy explorer on a bit of a different adventure next month – a direct-to-video collaboration with Tom and Jerry called Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest, which will be released on home video on June 23.
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