# Robert Rodriguez to direct live-action Jonny Quest movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932 "2015-05-27T03:10:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/21 "2015-05-27T18:04:42Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I hope he doesn’t take the bait. As I recall, the “gay couple” idea began as a joke on the Cartoon Network. I rather strongly suspect that the fan base for Johnny Quest isn’t looking for a diversion into the gay marriage debate. > > I don’t recall Hadji’s portrayal being notably racist. **He didn’t have mystic powers or any of the other cliches that tended to pop up at the time**. Or am I forgetting something? I’m gonna go **Sim, Sim Salabim** on your ass! 😃 I never saw Hadji carrying anyone’s luggage, he seemed to be _smarter_ than Jonny, he never dropped into “funny voice mode” at the first sign of danger, the turban came off occasionally, **he could levitate people/objects** , other sleight-of-hand/pseudo magic tricks, the list goes on. I don’t see any racism, either. Anubis is coming for you, Rodriguez, and he’s pissed and he’s UGLY! ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/22 "2015-05-27T18:06:47Z")
Color me cautiously optimistic. I was never much of a fan of the original Johnny Quest, but I did grow up with The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest and remember enjoying it. The Questworld CGI was often pretty cringeworthy, but the rest was good and I thought they did a good job characterizing Jessie. IIRC, they didn’t just make her defined by the other characters, nor did they just slap a bunch of classically masculine traits onto her and call it a day. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > What we need is a competing studio doing a live-action Venture Bros movie. Dammit, now I really, really want to see a Venture Bros movie directed by Robert Rodriguez. I’m not yet convinced he can do Johnny Quest, but I think he could make an awesome Venture Bros movie. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/23 "2015-05-27T18:19:56Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I’m gonna go **Sim, Sim Salabim** on your ass! 😃 > > I never saw Hadji carrying anyone’s luggage, he seemed to be _smarter_ than Jonny, he never dropped into “funny voice mode” at the first sign of danger, the turban came off occasionally, **he could levitate people/objects** , other sleight-of-hand/pseudo magic tricks, the list goes on. I don’t see any racism, either. > > Anubis is coming for you, Rodriguez, and he’s pissed and he’s UGLY! OK, I remember the “Sim Sim Salabim” stuff now. Still, to me this always looked more like fakir/magician’s trick type “magic,” not any genuine supernatural powers. And Hadji was definitely Johnny’s equal (and friend), not any kind of servant. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/24 "2015-05-27T18:31:27Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Given that this is Hollywood, the odds are 70-30 they mess it up. > > Hopefully they lock the script-writers and director in a room and show them the entire original series (the follow-ons ranged from so-so to ugh!, IMHO) four or five times over so that they understand why this series is still remembered and appreciated 50 years later. > > Like John DiFool said, much of the fun was the monster angle, and the combination of derring-do and super-science that combatted it. > > **But I don’t know about the Invisible Energy Monster returning…that scared the shit out of me as a kid (and I still find it creepy)**. **TSS Rat** , I have [a present for you](https://youtu.be/k2xEhjMSJrI?t=523). ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/25 "2015-05-27T19:03:22Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > OK, I remember the “Sim Sim Salabim” stuff now. I, too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/26 "2015-05-27T19:06:33Z")
Maybe they could get Tim Matheson to play Dr Quest… ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/27 "2015-05-27T19:19:46Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > …clips from nine of these are shown in the opening credits of each episode, including two from “The Robot Spy”, which may in part explain why that one seems so familiar. No, I watched pretty much every time I caught the show (which was by random chance), and every time it was the ‘robot spy’ one. Weird. Kind of like the three years I was a max Trekkie and watched ST:TOS every afternoon, five days a week, without fail. I watched the whole run through at least four times… and saw the final episode, “Turnabout Intruder,” exactly once. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/28 "2015-05-27T20:52:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What we need is a competing studio doing a live-action Venture Bros movie. > [@oft\_wears\_hats](#): > > Dammit, now I really, really want to see a Venture Bros movie directed by Robert Rodriguez. I’m not yet convinced he can do Johnny Quest, but I think he could make an awesome Venture Bros movie. I’d settle for a cameo by the Venture family. Because of course you realize that if this is a Johnny Quest movie, then he’s a child and so is Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/29 "2015-05-27T21:51:09Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I hope he doesn’t take the bait. As I recall, the “gay couple” idea began as a joke on the Cartoon Network. I rather strongly suspect that the fan base for Johnny Quest isn’t looking for a diversion into the gay marriage debate. > > I don’t recall Hadji’s portrayal being notably racist. He didn’t have mystic powers or any of the other cliches that tended to pop up at the time. Or am I forgetting something? Johnny Quest is like the ulitmate non-tradtional family. An Indian and a white kid being raised by a super0-scientist and his bodyguard, with a seemingly sentient dog as a pet. Making them just a gay couple would just be toning things down. ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/30 "2015-05-28T02:02:03Z")
To me, it would have to be a period piece. Set in the 1960s with all the period gadgetry and technology and cold war overtones. Kinda like Indiana Jones worked being set in the 30s. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/31 "2015-05-28T02:09:27Z")
> [@Shawn1767](#): > > To me, it would have to be a period piece. Set in the 1960s with all the period gadgetry and technology and cold war overtones. Kinda like Indiana Jones worked being set in the 30s. Yeah! ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/32 "2015-05-28T02:15:36Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > They’d better have that invisible monster make a comeback. > > Tho the actual original episode was an excellent example of how you don’t show the monster until it becomes absolutely necessary. While _The Invisible Monster_ episode is my personal favorite from the original 26 it was loosely based on the invisible creature from the classic 1956 film, _Forbidden Planet_ ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/33 "2015-05-28T02:27:19Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > There was one episode where Hadji levitated, and as I remember it wasn’t presented as a trick. But it’s been a while since I’ve seen that one, so I’m not sure. If anyone remembers which episode that is, I’d like to rewatch. > > I hope they don’t go “modern”, with Race and Benton as a gay couple, What’s with this thread? What’s with all the Race and Dr. Quest being a gay couple? I… don’t get it. Dr. Quest was a widower, who because of his importance to the American Government, gets a body guard to not only protect the doctor but to also protect his son who’d be a tempting target (i.e.: kidnapping) to the country’s enemys’. Where’s all this gay couple stuff coming from? Yeah, there’s been jokes, I think on _Robot Chicken_ and other shows, but that’s like the lame old Batman & Robin gay jokes. You know, they’re tw men who work closely tougher, so they must be gay. Look, as long as they adapt the **actual, original** series, an adventure series (which itself was based on old classic comic strips like _Terry and the Pirates_\*\*) featuring action and adventure with monsters, villains and sci-fi machinery then they’ll have a winning film. There’s **NO** need to make any changes. (Oh, and **PLEASE** ignore that piece of crap _The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest_ that came out i the late 90’s. That series was a perfect example of how to take a great concept and to completely screw it up.) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/34 "2015-05-28T03:15:01Z")
I was eleven or so when the original series ended, and was just short of being a little old for cartoons. But I loved Johnny Quest, and actually found the energy monster episode kind of scary. Another vote for the energy monster!!! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/35 "2015-05-28T03:53:53Z")
A little old for cartoons? I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/36 "2015-05-28T14:18:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Can we get Dwayne Johnson to put on a blonde wig? 😃 I actually think that Johnson, with white hair and a red golf shirt, might make a pretty good Race Bannon. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/37 "2015-05-28T14:25:05Z")
Dwayne Johnson does comedy fairly well, which might help if they decide to make this a spoof or a parody film. (And in that case, jokes about the two adult characters might be appropriate.) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/38 "2015-05-28T14:29:00Z")
Probably an impossible wish, but I hope they find a way to use the original theme music. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/39 "2015-05-28T14:30:45Z")
If there is Venture Bros movie, only one person could play Brock Samson-the guy who voices him. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932/40 "2015-05-28T16:09:09Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I actually think that Johnson, with white hair and a red golf shirt, might make a pretty good Race Bannon. I don’t know who Dwayne Johnson is, so I’m picturing Drew Carey. I vote for the crazy old German in the biplane. Or maybe the midget in the gargoyle suit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-rodriguez-to-direct-live-action-jonny-quest-movie/720932.md?page=3)