The last we heard of Warner Bros.' JONNY QUEST film, it was to be directed by Robert Rodriguez (ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL), but that was more than three years ago and The Wrap has now reported that THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE director Chris McKay has stepped in to helm the project.
The live-action film is based upon the Hanna-Barbera animated series which followed boy hero Jonny Quest, his scientific genius father Dr. Benton C. Quest, his bodyguard Race Bannon, adoptive brother Hadji, and dog Bandit. Together, the group got into extraordinary adventures around the globe and solved mysteries. Back when Rodriguez was still involved, producer Adrian Askarieh had described the film as James Bond meets Indiana Jones and that they were aiming for a PG-13 rating. "I never want to be presumptuous to stamp a rating before the studio gets involved; that’s ultimately their decision," Askarieh said. "This is not going to be a kiddie action-adventure movie; this will be an action-adventure that happens to have a 12-year-old in it." Terry Rossio (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) and Dan Mazeau (COWBOY VIKING NINJA) had each written drafts of the film, but it's not known if that script is still in play. The Wrap added that they've heard that Warner Bros. is looking to land a major movie star to play Race Bannon. Any thoughts?
Chris McKay has several other projects on his slate in addition to JONNY QUEST, as he's also attached to direct NIGHTWING for Warner Bros. and has also been eyed to helm the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS movie for Paramount.