Rodriguez retreat

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There's a bottom-line rationale regarding Robert Rodrguez being "in talks" to direct a Warner Bros. live-action feature version of The Jetsons for Warner Bros. Pictures. And it can be summed up in eight words: "Danger! Danger! Retreat to the family safety zone!"

With the Grindhouse financial debacle coloring Rodriguez's industry aura (on top of the fact that most viewers outside serious gore geeks thought that Rodriguez's Terror Planet was way, way inferior to Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof) and his biggest financial successes having come from directing the three Spy Kids flicks (which came out in '01, '02 and '03), a Jetsons flick is a total dive-for-cover move. The producers are Denise Di Novi and Donald De Line.

The only thing I've really liked about Rordriguez's films since his first and best effort, 1992's El Mariachi, has been his tendency to cast hot women (Salma Hayek, Rose McGowan) and dress them up in hot skimpy outfits

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 11, 2007 at 8:52 AM

comment #1

christian says ...

so the box office success of SIN CITY doesn't figure into this, nor the fact that outside of GRINDHOUSE, each of his film has made bank...

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 9:53 AM

comment #2

lesterg says ...

Why should it?

It's standard procedure in Hollywood to do a safe picture after a catastrophe, regardless of history. At least he's not in movie jail.

Posted by lesterg at May 11, 2007 10:01 AM

comment #3

Rich S. says ...

I'm not sure how much of a safety zone family films are for RR, what with the major disappointment of Shark Boy and Lava Girl. Of course, the Jetsons wasn't created by his son, so maybe there's hope.

I've always thought that RR had a great deal of energy as a director, and his films have a certain flair. But it's almost as if he doesn't know when to quit. There's almost always one moment in every RR film when I say to myself, "I wish he hadn't gone there." Not because it's too violent, but because it's just kind of silly. The machine guns and rocket launchers in the guitar cases in Desperado spring to mind. I think Sin City is his most successful film because he was forced to stay in the structure set forth by the comic.

Posted by Rich S. at May 11, 2007 10:01 AM

comment #4

storymark says ...

I'm surprised he's not moving stright to Sin City 2. It seems like a pretty sure bet.

Posted by storymark at May 11, 2007 10:02 AM

comment #5

Eddie says ...

Warwick Davis for Mr. Spacely!

Or maybe Jon Polito if he stayed low.

Posted by Eddie at May 11, 2007 10:04 AM

comment #6

christian says ...

i don't how robert can bounce back after all these catastrophes of success...

meanwhile, schumacher and ridley scott and michael mann and etc are still at work...

that said, i want to see a JETSONS film as much as i want a KROFT SUPERSHOW film.

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 10:08 AM

comment #7

Craig Kennedy says ...

Forget Rodriguez, no one else is troubled WB is planning to spring a live action Jetsons movie on us in the first place?

How about Wally Gator? Squiddly Diddly?

Posted by Craig Kennedy at May 11, 2007 10:09 AM

comment #8

Pelham123 says ...

Well, it couldn't possibly be as bad as "The Flintstones"...could it?

Posted by Pelham123 at May 11, 2007 10:12 AM

comment #9

D.Z. says ...

christian: "so the box office success of SIN CITY doesn't figure into this, nor the fact that outside of GRINDHOUSE, each of his film has made bank..."

Actually, he didn't really start making money until Spy Kids. And Sin City had a fanbase and a bunch of big names atached to it.

storymark: "I'm surprised he's not moving stright to Sin City 2."

Production issues.

cj: They want a Jetsons movie, cus of the success of the Flintstones movie.

Posted by D.Z. at May 11, 2007 10:15 AM

comment #10

Reedyb says ...

Speaking of the Kroft SuperShow, the report is that he is also looking at the Land of the Lost movie with Will Ferrell. Apparently there were a few movies the suits showed him.

I'm not so sure that Sin City isn't going to be next. At SXSW I thought he said that they had a script nearly ready to go.

Posted by Reedyb at May 11, 2007 10:18 AM

comment #11

christian says ...

rr will knock out SIN CITY 2 long before he starts THE JETSONS. bank on that.

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 10:23 AM

comment #12

JD says ...

According to the report on Aint it Cool News, it sounds like Rodriguez has something closer to his heart (and sensibility) that he's hoping to direct next. As far as I can tell, roughly half the critics (and audience members) preferred Planet Terror to Death Proof and I personally think it's Rodriguez's best film to date. Jeff has a tendency to reduce films to their subject matter/topic and ignore the filmmaking altogether. Planet Terror featured some truly first rate visual imagination and I'm sure Rodriguez is interested in The Jetsons because of its cinematic potential and the fact that it will allow him to exploit his resources in exciting new ways. Also, does anyone else think it's odd that Jeff condemns Rodriguez for the childishness of his worldview then himself reverts to a 13-year-old's view of women, praising Rodriguez's "tendency to cast hot women and dress them up in hot skimpy outfits." Are you familiar with the term, "dirty old man," by any chance?

Posted by JD at May 11, 2007 10:25 AM

comment #13

Jeremy King says ...

I agree with JD, I think a lot people than just "gore hounds" preferred Rodriguez's portion of PLANET TERROR. A lot of people I talked to felt that Tarantino's portion was just not as enjoyable....not to say that it wasn't enjoyable, just not AS enjoyable in a purely "let's go to the movies for a fun B-movie night out" kind of way, I guess.

Also, I vote Hugh Jackman to play George Jetson. And I think Tarantino should play Jetson's boss. And Heather Graham should play daughter Judy (that way, Rodriguez can dress her in really skimpy outfits and maybe give her a pole-dancing scene or something)

Posted by Jeremy King at May 11, 2007 10:32 AM

comment #14

Eddie says ...

They could probably get John Mayer or someone to sing an updated Jetsons theme over the ending credits.

Posted by Eddie at May 11, 2007 10:35 AM

comment #15

christian says ...

after seing GRINDHOUSE a few more times, i will say that PLANET TERROR is easily rr's best genre work but doesn't hold up after repeated viewings.
DEATH PROOF is a mess and nothing has changed in my take on the limp characters and dialogue, but DP remains more watchable because of kurt russell and some other things in there.

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 10:39 AM

comment #16

RoyBatty says ...

Is Rodriguez also in negotiations with the DGA to get his membership back? Considering how tightly the "the Jetsons" property is woven into their corporate structure, I don't think there's a lawyer alive who can cut that Gordian knot in order for Rodriquez to make it as a non-union independent (ala SIN CITY).

It will also be interesting to see how many studios, displaying the fierce rodent-like timidity they are known for, run for the baseboards when UNDERDOG tanks and put alot of these second & third tier kiddie cartoon films into turnaround.

Posted by RoyBatty at May 11, 2007 10:40 AM

comment #17

gruver1 says ...

Wells to JD: Every honest guy on the face of the planet likes, and most of them will admit to liking, hot babes in skimpy outfits. The dirty old man crack was low and cheap. And inapplicable. My hair is dark, I have no bald spots, I ride around on a cool bike, I don't have a paunch and I'll bet my batting average with women is better than yours.

Posted by gruver1 at May 11, 2007 10:40 AM

comment #18

Craig Kennedy says ...

"...when UNDERDOG tanks and put alot of these second & third tier kiddie cartoon films into turnaround."

Here's hoping the cinema gods are still listening and this will actually happen.

Posted by Craig Kennedy at May 11, 2007 10:46 AM

comment #19

storymark says ...

Oooh. He rides a cool bike.

Posted by storymark at May 11, 2007 10:48 AM

comment #20

D.Z. says ...

Jeremy: "Also, I vote Hugh Jackman to play George Jetson."

We'll probably get stuck with Steve Carrell... *sigh*

"And I think Tarantino should play Jetson's boss."

His boss should be the guy playing J. Jonah Jameson.

Roy: "It will also be interesting to see how many studios, displaying the fierce rodent-like timidity they are known for, run for the baseboards when UNDERDOG tanks and put alot of these second & third tier kiddie cartoon films into turnaround."

I'm guessing Underdog was some contractual thing, and not really a film that Di$ney was hoping would succeed.

Posted by D.Z. at May 11, 2007 10:49 AM

comment #21

christian says ...

as long as american parents use every crappy kids film as babysitters (GARFIELD anyone?), this awful re-packaged cartoon crap will continue.

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 10:53 AM

comment #22

EOTW says ...

Funny, i thought that all of GRINDHOUSE was inferior to anything a good movie should be made of. I think that RR is shit and has never made a good film and probably never will from here on out. The man is a hack. QT lost any cred years ago. NEXT!

Posted by EOTW at May 11, 2007 11:12 AM

comment #23

MovieBob says ...

Who knows if the finished product will be any good, but "Underdog" has the best trailers and posters in terms of selling what COULD be of most things I've seen this summer. And every time I've seen the trailer run with a mostly-family audience, the kids went NUTS at the first sight of a flying puppy in a cape - I'm thinking this will actually be a pretty decent success.

Posted by MovieBob at May 11, 2007 11:18 AM

comment #24

jeffmcm says ...

The Faculty grossed $40m on a $15m budget, so it was reasonably successful.

There is no reason for J.K. Simmons to play Mr. Spacely. He's too tall and he would be in danger of getting typecast as 'yelling boss'. That's a dumb idea.

PS: DZ Sucks.

Posted by jeffmcm at May 11, 2007 11:25 AM

comment #25

christian says ...

fred willard is available...

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 11:27 AM

comment #26

Rich S. says ...

I agree, MovieBob. The trailer for Underdog actually made me chuckle, in spite of myself. Plus, they got Peter Dinklage to play Simon Bar Sinister and Patrick Warburton to play Cad. If that's not some of the greatest casting to come down the pike in years, I don't know what is.

Posted by Rich S. at May 11, 2007 11:28 AM

comment #27

JD says ...

JD to Wells: When anyone over the age of forty talks about hot young women and their skimpy outfits, they are veering into dirty old man territory, PARTICULARLY if they ride a motorcycle (does anyone under the age of 40 even own a motorcycle?). This doesn't mean you're an old man, per se, but the term "dirty old man" has its own connotations relating to men who fawn over women young enough to be their daughters. Quentin Tarantino, for example, has some definite dirty old man tendencies. Either way, you can't ignore the hypocrisy of you criticizing RR's juvenilia, while revelling in a juvenile attitude toward women yourself.

As for batting averages, the fact that you think in those terms is indicative of everything I've argued above. Those of us who see women as people, not objects, don't have to worry so much about "batting averages" because we're able to maintain relationships with members of the opposite sex. But I'm glad to hear your batting average is up to snuff. Good work.

Posted by JD at May 11, 2007 12:46 PM

comment #28

Sean says ...

"Actually, he didn't really start making money until Spy Kids."

That's not true in any way. 'Spy Kids' was the first to break $100 mil, but even 'Desperado' made three times what it cost.

And I agree that there's virtually no chance that a non-DGA member could direct 'The Jetsons'.

I also can't imagine how 'The Jetsons' could be viewed as a sure thing. If it is made, it WILL flop. I'm probably blanking on something, but I can't think of a successful future-comedy. (I can remember 'Pluto Nash'.) I can't even think of a successful sci-fi comedy of any kind other than 'Men in Black'. A Jetsons movie is a bad, bad idea, and I can't imagine Rodriguez playing that game.

Posted by Sean at May 11, 2007 12:50 PM

comment #29

Josh Massey says ...

"cj: They want a Jetsons movie, cus of the success of the Flintstones movie."

So they're riding the coattails of a hit movie that came out 13 years ago and was already followed by a massive flop? That makes sense.

Posted by Josh Massey at May 11, 2007 12:53 PM

comment #30

Ron Lim says ...

I also VASTLY liked Rodriguez's half of Grindhouse. Tarantino's had smart dialogue but FELT truncated, as if half the movie was cut out. I have a feeling the full-length cut for Cannes won't fix those issues and it'll just end up being more chicks talking. What Deathproof really needs is more Kurt Russell.

Posted by Ron Lim at May 11, 2007 1:46 PM

comment #31

Rich S. says ...

"What Deathproof really needs is more Kurt Russell."

But, then again, that could be said for every Kurt Russell movie ever made. Maybe he takes George Costanza's advice to always leave them wanting more...

Posted by Rich S. at May 11, 2007 1:57 PM

comment #32

christian says ...

i find russell absolutely mesmerizing everytime i watch DEATHPROOF and it will be fun to go over it on dvd just to watch moments like when he leans down to peer at jungle julia's sign, then rises with a funny pleased smile...it's too bad there wasn't more with him because he deserves a supporting actor nom...

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 1:58 PM

comment #33

nemo says ...

"... his first and best effort, 1992's El Mariachi ..."

That's for sure. Everything Rodriguez has done since "El Mariachi" has been a juvenile let-down of his promise. "Desperado" with Antonio Bandera was a remake of "El Mariachi" with 100 times the budget and 1/10 the quality.

There was some real human feeling in "El Mariachi". Everything since then has been some adolescent boy's game of "hey man, wouldn't it be cool if ... [fill in the blank]". Rodriguez and Tarantino are two talented guys who bring out the worst in each other. The two hippest video store clerks in the room.

You can't go wrong with more Kurt Russell (just like more cowbell).

Posted by nemo at May 11, 2007 2:20 PM

comment #34

christian says ...

i disagree. SPY KIDS is filled with a genuine sense of child wonder. you may not like it, but it's there and real as opposed to every committee disneyfoxdreamworks animated family monstrosity...

Posted by christian at May 11, 2007 2:43 PM

comment #35

Cadavra says ...

I think DeVito would be the perfect Spacely, physically and tempermentally. Jackman is all wrong as George: too good-looking and self-assured. Matthew Perry would be a much better choice.

The UNDERDOG trailer looks dreadful. That voice! The typical insufferable wise-cracking Noo Yawk cartoon voice. What made the original work was Wally Cox's meek little squeak, which this doesn't even try to approximate. I can already smell the stench...

Posted by Cadavra at May 11, 2007 4:15 PM

comment #36

Movie fan09 says ...

geez jeff.
that was kinda childish.

"hey i'm not a dirty old man. But i can bang more chicks than you can."

you got a good point.
that's the only thing rr is good for.
it's funny how he always says your worst films are your first ones...and all of his movies are bad and barely watchable.

sin city was ok.
in tarantino's hands it could have been better.

Posted by Movie fan09 at May 11, 2007 4:25 PM

comment #37

IndiSB says ...

How is he going to direct an all white cast movie? No Latinos in Jetsons that I remember.

Posted by IndiSB at May 11, 2007 5:10 PM

comment #38

corey3rd says ...

Danny Trejo as George Jetson.

compared to 28 Weeks Later, Planet Terror is a lame mess.

Posted by corey3rd at May 11, 2007 8:33 PM

comment #39

L.B. says ...

"My hair is dark, I have no bald spots, I ride around on a cool bike, I don't have a paunch and I'll bet my batting average with women is better than yours."

I liked Barry Pepper's version of this speech better in .

Added to which, do dye jobs count as officially dark hair?

Posted by L.B. at May 11, 2007 9:29 PM

comment #40

L.B. says ...

I swear I typed that title. Slip "The 25th Hour" between in and the period.

Posted by L.B. at May 11, 2007 9:30 PM

comment #41

D.Z. says ...

alfred: "sin city was ok.
in tarantino's hands it could have been better."

In Tarantino's hands, it'd have less fights, and more conversations about other movies.

Indi: "How is he going to direct an all white cast movie? No Latinos in Jetsons that I remember."

They could always get Rosario Dawson to play Jane.

Posted by D.Z. at May 11, 2007 9:40 PM

comment #42

Joe Leydon says ...

I showed "25th Hour" to my film students last night. Damn. I had forgotten just how freakin' great that movie really is. One of the greatest final lines in move history: "This life came so close to never happening..."

Posted by Joe Leydon at May 11, 2007 9:48 PM

comment #43

LYTrules says ...

Every honest guy on the face of the planet likes, and most of them will admit to liking, hot babes in skimpy outfits.

Thank you! I've been telling people that for years. Hipster critics think that's proof of my being awful, but I get thanked by readers more often for telling them who gets naked in a movie than for anything else.

Posted by LYTrules at May 12, 2007 2:04 PM

comment #44

Winter Gladstone says ...

"My hair is dark, I have no bald spots, I ride around on a cool bike, I don't have a paunch and I'll bet my batting average with women is better than yours."

oooo, Jeff. Douche Chills.

Hey man, I'm nearing 40 myself, so I sympathize, I really do. Just don't let them see you sweat. It's unseemly.

Posted by Winter Gladstone at May 14, 2007 7:04 PM

comment #45

Dave Polands Gut says ...

I guess they want to kill any love anyone has ever had for The Jetsons.

Posted by Dave Polands Gut at May 16, 2007 8:10 AM

comment #46

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