How did this news slip past us all? According to a source that the guys over at Pajiba have, Robert Rodriguez won't be directing the long in-development live-action Jetsons movie. It was only this summer that we got word that The Jetsons was firmly on its way, with an early draft of the script having been written, and Rodriguez himself sounding enthusiastic after he said he's been working on ideas for the adaptation for a long time.

However, Rodriguez has his fingers in a lot of pies right about now: He has his full-length Machete movie (currently in the editing stages); he's heavily involved in the Predators reboot; apparently he has Spy Kids 4 in the works (it was only a matter of time...); and, of course, there's the much-anticipated, long gestating Sin City 2 (which could be filming next year, last we heard). So it's kind of understandable, but nonetheless saddening to find he's (apparently) dropped out of The Jetsons.

So who's said to be replacing Rodriguez as the director of The Jetsons? Well, after some snags in getting the production going on the part of Warner Bros. - including Jim Carrey passing on the lead role of George Jetson - and despite the studio liking the script turned in by John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, it appears that Get Smart director, Peter Segal, is going to be helming The Jetsons.

Although no deal has been officially signed, it's looking quite likely Segal will get the gig. The existing script will be scrapped by WB, although they're not planning on bringing on any new writers to write a new version of it until Segal signs on the dotted line.

I was really looking forward to Rodriguez's take on The Jetsons, particularly to see how he transitioned it from cartoon to live-action. At least the first Spy Kids (the sequels, not so much...) demonstrated that he can mix exciting and fun action with a kid-friendly feel. My first reaction to Segal being attached to replace him was that it was a step down, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Segal's usual style (along with Get Smart, he was behind the Adam Sandler flicks 50 First Dates and The Longest Yard) seems to fit what I believe WB should aim for with this adaptation.

What do you think of Peter Segal apparently replacing Robert Rodriguez as The Jetsons director? Who is the better choice in your eyes? Is there any other director you would nominate for the job?

We'll keep you up-to-date on whether Peter Segal officially signs onto the project or not.

No release date has been set for The Jetsons as of yet.

Source: Pajiba via Cinemablend (thanks to Screen Crave)