Grindhouse may not have done so terribly well at the box office, but that doesn't seem to have hurt the two directors behind it much. While Quentin Tarantino prepares a new, longer cut of Death Proof for Cannes, Robert Rodriguez is in talks for not one, but two, big-budget films.
First up, and looking most likely (because its script, by Adam F. Goldberg, is furthest along) is a live-action version of The Jetsons, a high-tech family living in a future full of flying cars, robots and crazy hair dos. Those of you who have seen the cartoon may remember that it's basically a futuristic version of The Flintstones, and we all remember how that much-loved series turned out when transferred to the big screen. Still, Rodriguez can do stylised (see all three Spy Kids films for a clue to how the Jetsons would probably look) and if there's an actual plot it could be kinda fun.
However, there's another contender vying for his attention. Land of the Lost, which Will Ferrell has signed on for at Universal, is another big-screen version of a 70s kids' show, but this one's a lot darker and is more with the dinosaurs and wilderness than the flying cars and city. It follows Rick Marshall and his children Will and Holly after they are flung through a "dimensional portal" while on a camping trip. They find themselves in another world full of dinosaurs but also hostile alien creatures called Sleestak and chimp-like cavemen called Pakuni, and have to find a way home.
The original series boasted Doctor Who-style effects but big ambition, so this update could be rather interesting - and again, think of those creatures from Spy Kids 2 and it's easy to see Rodriguez taking over this job.
One wrinkle with either one would be the fact that Rodriguez left the DGA in 2004 over Sin City, and would have to sort out some sort of relationship with them in order to be allowed to direct either of these studio films. And there's the question of where in his schedule either of these would leave Sin City 2, which he's also got pencilled in for the near future. Watch this space for more news...