Jonny Quest Moving Forward

You gotta hand it over to IESB - they can certainly get their hands on scoops.

Awhile back, Warner Brothers pegged Dan Mazeau for screenwriting duties on Jonny Quest - the live action feature-length adaptation of the 1960s Hanna Barbera animated-series.

So impressed with his script was the studio that they had hoped to fast-track the project for Summer 2009 last year. That, and of course they've subsequently hired Mazeau to write The Flash for them in the mean time.

Things are definitely moving forward on the project with current teen-idol (for the moment, at least) Zac Efron pegged to portray the title character (whose age is said to have been bumped up from 12 years old to 18 to better suit the actor) and Dwayne Johnson set to play Race Bannon - the government agent assigned to protect Quest.

The studio is also eyeing Andy Fickman to direct - whose no stranger to Johnson having directed him in The Game Plan and the upcoming remake of Escape From Witch Mountain.

For me, Efron's a question-mark only because he's yet to headline a successful film on his own, and it's always a risk putting a $100 million production on the shoulders on a yet-proven actor. We'll see how his forthcoming "body-swap" comedy 17 Again performs.

On the other hand, Johnson has had quiet the comeback starting with the above-mentioned Game Plan and last summer's Get Smart. Hell, Escape From Witch Mountain looks to be a big money-maker as well - honestly wouldn't be surprised if it kicks Watchmen's ass at the box-office.

As long as this doesn't turn out to be another Speed Racer, they should be fine.