Jim Carrey Could Bring ‘The Jetsons’ to Life in Live-Action Sci-Fi Comedy

Jim Carrey is reportedly in talks to star in a live-action film adaptation of The Jetsons. The animated sitcom from Hanna-Barbera was set in a futuristic world and served as a sci-fi counterpart to The Flintstones. It first aired on ABC from 1962 to 1963 and later returned in syndication from 1985 to 1987. The show followed the Jetson family as they navigated daily life in a world filled with flying cars, robots, and modern conveniences. Along with The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, and Scooby-Doo!, it became one of Hanna-Barbera’s lasting successes.

Variety has confirmed that Carrey is being considered for the role of George Jetson, the well-meaning husband and father at the center of the story. The Wrap first broke the news. Colin Trevorrow, known for directing Jurassic World, is expected to direct and co-write the film with screenwriter Joe Epstein. A release date has not been set. Carrey is not currently attached to any other major projects, apart from possible talks to reprise his role in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

The only theatrical Jetsons movie to date was 1990’s Jetsons: The Movie, which failed both critically and financially. Attempts to make a live-action version have been circulating for nearly two decades. Directors Rob Minkoff (Stuart Little), Adam Shankman (Hairspray), Robert Rodriguez (Desperado), and Conrad Vernon (Monsters vs. Aliens) were all once attached to direct. Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future) also worked on a proposed television revival in 2017 that never advanced to production.

Turning old cartoon shows into live-action films was popular during the 1990s and early 2000s. Some adaptations such as The Flintstones, Casper, George of the Jungle, and Scooby-Doo! drew large audiences. Others, including Mr. Magoo, Dudley Do-Right, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Underdog, and The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, fared poorly. After Yogi Bear struggled at the box office in 2010, enthusiasm for live-action takes on classic cartoons faded, and Warner Bros. canceled a planned Hong Kong Phooey project that would have featured Eddie Murphy’s voice.

Carrey has consistently shown skill in transforming animated icons into vivid performances. His role in How the Grinch Stole Christmas remains one of the most recognized holiday portrayals of the 2000s. Recently, his turn as Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog films introduced him to a new generation of fans. Carrey’s mix of physical comedy and emotion has long made him one of the most dynamic actors in Hollywood. Industry analysts believe that with his energy and timing, The Jetsons could find broad success. The film’s retro-futuristic setting also comes as audiences respond positively to similar designs in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Warner Bros. now appears ready to revisit one of its most recognizable animated worlds with a trusted performer at its center.

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