Jonny Quest (live-action film)

A Jonny Quest live-action film has been in development for years.

The most recent news is that Chris McKay will be directing the film, with a script written by Robert Rodriguez and Terry Rossio based on the original television series. Adrian Askarieh, Daniel Alter, Dan Lin, Jonathan Eirich, Ryan Halprin, and Samantha Nisenboim are producing.

Development
In an interview in Comico's Jonny Quest #1, Joseph Barbera suggested that the primary reason for bringing back a new Jonny Quest animated series in 1986 was because there was interest from movie studios into adapting the character into a live-action feature. In the 1990s, Turner had put priority into developing a live-action film to capitalize on the perceived success of what they believed would come out from The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest. Richard Donner had been hired to direct.

In August 2007, it was announced that Dan Mazeau was writing the script, with Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter producing. The logline for Mazeau's script was released: "Young Jonny Quest travels the world with his scientist father, adopted brother from India, Bandit the bulldog, and a government agent assigned to protect them while they investigate scientific mysteries."

In April 2009, it was announced that Zac Efron, who was 21-years-old at the time, was confirmed to play Jonny Quest, and that Dwayne Johnson was in talks to play Race Bannon. Warner Bros. was also discussing changing the movie title. Efron later confirmed the casting, saying that the project was still in its early stages. "It’s a long, long process. It’s so hard when people start leaking tidbits. They’re very, very early on [with it] – not that it won’t happen happen, it’s just early."

In May 2015, Robert Rodriguez was announced to be directing the film, with Rodriguez and Terry Rossio writing a new script. In July 2016, Mark Hughes with Forbes released an exclusive stating that the film was moving forward with a completed script. Hughes reviewed the script and offered some insight: "The script takes inspiration from a few specific stories and elements in the original 1960s TV show, (including a certain robot arachnid). Race Bannon is a government agent similar to a cross between Indiana Jones and Jason Bourne, and this is his introduction to the Quest family. Jonny and Dr. Benton Quest have a nice subplot for their relationship, providing added dimension to Jonny's overall characterization and particularly his drive to explore and get into adventures against his father's wishes. And Hadji has an 'origin' that provides more detail to his background and lets him take a more active role in the main plot. Jade plays a significant role in the story as well, as the female adventurer whose loyalties are uncertain and whose past relationship with Race is a source of much tension and humor.

I don't wish to give too much away about the plot itself, other than to say an old nemesis returns with a plan to unleash a major threat upon the world, and it's up to Jonny, Race, Jade, Dr. Quest, and Hadji to stop the evil scheme from succeeding. The ancient mythology of the tale and competing motivations among the antagonists create an added layer of detail and mystery to the whole affair."

In November 2018, Chris McKay was announced to be directing the film. In June 2021, McKay confirmed he was still attached to the film, saying that the movie would not be the next one he would work on but that he's "hoping that WB wants to make that movie really soon".