Jonny Quest Returns

Jonny Quest Returns, also called Jonny Quest Returns: Modernizing a Classic for a New Generation of Fans, is a special feature segment for The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest.

It was released as a special feature on the Season 1, volume 1 DVD.

Premise
The short segment discusses bringing back Jonny Quest for a modern audience.

Jonny Quest Returns
Jerry Beck, Peter Lawrence, Kris Zimmerman Salter, and John Eng talk about the history of the show.

Bringing Back Jonny Quest
Salter talks about how Hanna-Barbera at the time had recently been purchased by Turner, and there was a focus on revamping the company and bringing the animation more to the kids of the time. Lawrence talks about bringing in Dick Sabast, who was a great artist who helped design and set up the new series and its realism.

Real Adventures in a Realistic World
Lawrence wanted the series believable and grounded in reality. Jonny would be skilled, but realistically so. Lawrence talks about not using guns that shoot lasers and are mostly harmless because that just familiarizes children with guns, but instead show the consequence of guns.

Characters Evolved
Talk about keeping the beloved aspects of a show while updating it. Lawrence talks about aging Jonny up a few years, and the type of man Jonny is growing to be, a "hero in training". Eng refers to Jonny as a "teenaged Captain Kirk", referencing the famous captain from Star Trek. Salter talks about the type of character Jonny is and what they were looking for in a cast member, and she and Lawrence talk about casting JD Roth.

Regarding Hadji, they talk about being true to Hadji's Indian heritage, and in a realistic way how to incorporate Hadji's power.

Regarding Jessie, they talk about her role and character design, and how she's a good character to contrast Jonny.

Regarding Race Bannon, they talk about his character and role. Lawrence said, "he's the hero Jonny could become." Lawrence also wanted to give Race "a much more interesting philosophy", so he's something of a "philosopher warrior."

Regarding Dr. Quest, they talk about the intelligence, wisdom, and maturity of the character. Lawrence wanted him to be more cerebral and still the muscular scientist, and the kind of guy who could believe that there could be legendary creatures like the jersey devil out there.

Jonny Quest The Legacy
Being true to the original, while changing it "enough to be fresh and new and different" for modern times.

Quotes
"Jonny Quest was the father of all the adventure cartoons you can think of." - Jerry Beck

"When I saw the material, I thought, all we need to do is make it realistic. We need to make it as if it's a live-action movie. Make the kid absolutely believable. Make everything he does believable, so he can't fly a rocket, but he could possibly fly a plane. He doesn't have a drivers license, but he sure knows how to drive." - Peter Lawrence

"He can shoot a gun. It's ridiculous to give someone a laser gun and ... it doesn't do anything other than knock you back out of the water. All that does is familiarize people with a handgun. What you need to do is show a handgun, shoot it, and show the consequences. And the consequence is you're gonna die. That's the lesson." - Peter Lawrence

"Jonny Quest is a hero for the ages. He'll go through decades and time and still that character and personality, people will love that character. There's no reason why this character can't go on forever." - Jerry Beck

Cast
Speakers:
 * Jerry Beck, animation historian, author "Hanna-Barbera Treasury"
 * Peter Lawrence, writer, story-editor, co-producer
 * Kris Zimmerman Salter, casting director
 * John Eng, co-producer

Archived footage from the season one voice cast:

Home media

 * 🇺🇸 The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: Season One, Volume One DVD set released on February 17, 2009 by Warner Home Video.