The Jetsons Live action Movie
Filed under: Movie News Author: Vernon T Waldrip aka Shawn (editor)
First I need to say that I really didn’t like the live action versions of the Flintstones. I didn’t like George of the Jungle, I couldn’t set through Boris and Natasha (characters from Rocky and Bullwinkle) and to say the very least I wanted to shoot myself in the head when I gave Fat Albert a chance. That being said I think it’s clear that not only am I not looking forward to this movie, I’m am unclear on why Warner Bros. would even bother. Most of the animation from the 60s, 70s and 80s relied heavily upon characters that weren’t funny but did stupid things. It worked fine in the animated realm, but when you attempt to pull those same gags using real people it just doesn’t translate. Seeing George Jetson spinning around on the dog walker is not going to work in a live action setting; we all know it. The irritating thing is that they have to do it anyway. You can’t make a Jetsons movie without having George do his signature move; fans will be ticked off if you do.
But since I am only a humble writer and have no say within this machine we call Hollywood, I can only bring you the movie news. So the news is that The Jetsons will be a live action film in theaters everywhere in the near future. Variety has confirmed the long standing rumor and apparently Warner Bros. have given the project a green light. So I scoured the net as I often have in the past and here are the little bits of info that you have come to expect from our fine site.
Director: Adam Shankman
Screenwriter: Sam Harper
Producer: Denise Di Novi
I have read a number of reports that Jonathan Lipnicki from “Jerry Maguire” will star as the new Elroy Jetson: I know that sounds bizarre but it’s the word on the street, both wtopnews.com and Movietome.com, confirmed it. I would like to point out that it is still only a rumor. The film will also star STEVE MARTIN, DIANE LANE and LINDSAY LOHAN. I can almost guarantee Steve Martin, everything I have read about this film connects Mr. Martin to the lead roll of George Jetson. All I can say about this is: Steve, What are you thinking about man! I remember the good old days when Steve was funny and chose great movies to play in; remember The Jerk? Anyway that’s the cast so far.
Just in case you don’t already know the synopsis I will lay it on you direct from the Warner Bros. forum: This live-action big-screen version of the long-lived classic TV cartoon (which ran from 1962 to 1988) will focus on the adventures of the titular futuristic family, including father George, mom Judy, and kids Jane and Elroy.
So there you have it. No pictures yet, no teaser trailers; only the foreshadowing of a disaster of a movie soon to be.
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Steve Moser
May 26th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Dear Vernon
This is very interesting! Back in 2003, I was enjoying a well conducted class in film study at a local community college, taught by a brilliant professor by the name of Dr. Travis Silcox. Halfway through the class, I presented her with several hypothetical screen synopsis. She was, to say the least, blown away, but not surprised. This was a conversation over the phone, and it led to a creative venture that would be my ultimate final class project for the final grade. I was taking the class purely for pleasure and not really part of any academic program, beyond my own self-fulfillment. She knew this meant the sky was practically the limit, in stark contrast to the regular community college students. After reviewing the dozen screenplay concepts, she selected my live-action 3-D CG proposal entitled The Jetsons Revisited. She was particularly fascinated with the challenges of creating a worthwhile retro reconstruction of such a well-known animated series. She had a suspicion that I could pull together both authentic creative design elements respecting the original project, in all ways possible while simultaneously bringing to the screen fresh narrative, graphic imagery and comedic/hard hitting social science fiction content on top of the original, comparatively simplistic, production without spoiling the original charm of the show. I would like very much to show you my project. It’s a five-minute long WMV file approximately15 MB in size. It has large annotation text fields where the use of the pause button comes into play often. Technically, it is a glorified PowerPoint presentation featuring some of my earliest complex 3-D CG modeling and human figure construction. Please let me know if you’re interested in seeing it and how you would like me to send it to you. I hope you enjoy it.
With all naïve bravado, I sent this project synopsis along with a few others to Time Life Warner at the request of one of their creative people, that I had the pleasure to come in contact with informally. She was very interested in the general concept. She encouraged me to submit it and told me how to do so. At this point, I should point out that I am not yet a member of SAG, nor do I have an agent, due to limited resources, I realize how difficult it is to pitch a concept to a large established motion picture studio as an unknown artist. Nevertheless, they ironically reviewed it and expressed some appreciation for my work and explained that they were not planning to do anything with this idea in the foreseeable future. They also said that they would keep a transcript on file and that they would talk to me if they ever wanted to do something along these lines. Why they would say this to me ( …in writing) voluntarily!, is a mystery to me, but I was pleased just the same for the acknowledgment. Now, thanks to you, I know that they are planning something very close to my original idea! … well, well, well, how very interesting!
As a practical matter, I am not seriously thinking in terms of an intellectual properties dispute. Although, if I were a stockholder in Time Life Warner, I would consider this bizarre corporate conduct, in both directions, on the part of the studio. My basic concerns flank yours, in terms of, how minds like these might mess up a classic piece of popular art, such as the Jetsons, by attempting to do a dubious makeover of this sort. Not to suggest, they couldn’t be successful if indeed, they met certain minimal parameters. At this point I have to ask the question, humorously, “would anyone like to place their bets?”
There is nothing wrong with re-creating a classic. Many concepts have been successfully recycled generation after generation. The key is to update and add something worthwhile each time and honor the original inspiration without compromising it. Artistically, this is not a huge leap in logic. However unfortunately, we live in a time where the artistic judgment and proprietary insight that was once principally held closely by creative individuals , working in smaller studios, often owned and controled by the originating artistic founders, which then had much more direct insight generally speaking, in stark contrast to modern-day multinational conglomerate corporations, that have gobbled up everything and control huge tracts of the creative world, these pioneers of the early years of the industry enjoyed creative freedom impossible in the huge autocratic and dictatorial media machine of today.
The fine line between anachronistic, charming humor and cornball schlock is beyond the grasp of most megalomaniac corporate mentalities. Especially when mixed with socially relevant futuristic conceptualization. This is way to multidimensional for most of them to grasp. It’s a good thing people like Walt, Joe, Bill and not to mention Mr. Roddenberry or Mr. Serling lived in the times they did. Today, many of them would never get to see the light of day. Not for the lack of talent, intelligence or something artistic to say. In all likelihood they would be simply glossed over by small minds that run huge institutions.
In conclusion, I would like to explain a little about myself, I am partially sighted/legally blind. I won’t even go into the details of what it’s like to be severely visually impaired, while attempting to be a modern artist in a cutting-edge visual field. My resources are modest, though not nonexistent. I have taught myself computer drafting, 3-D CG modeling and animation, architecture, interior design, creative writing, screenplay writing and digital filmmaking. Obviously, with some help from isolated classes in the community college system. Believe me, the California state Department of Rehabilitation has no clue in terms of what to do with me and they haven’t contributed much yet. I’m 54 years old (or young) depending upon point of view and I’m still in their pitching! I hope this is been fun and obviously I could use the exposure. Feel free to get back with me, my phone number is 916 448-4138 my e-mail address is stevemoser@sbcglobal.net looking forward to hearing from you in the near future!
Best regards
Steve Moser
Melissa Middleditch
September 28th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I think a live action Jetsons is a great idea. I believe it’s possible. Look at movies’ and shows such as LOST IN SPACE, STAR TREK, and STAR WARS. If they can do that, JETSONS should also be possible.
I am a JETSONS fan all the way, and I’m sure this will be a favorite.
Ash Ketchum
October 6th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I think Kurtwood Smith(Red Foreman in That 70’s Show) should play Mr. Spacely.