Director/producer and writer Robert Rodriguez (We Can Be Heroes, Alita: Battle Angel) has once again joined forces with Neflix, this time to bring back Spy kids, 21 years after it originally hit theaters. The film marks Rodriguez´s second family film for the streaming service.
Rodriguez will write, direct and produce the new feature film which will introduce the world to a new family of spies. It has still not been determined if any of the past cast members will return to reprise their roles.
Spy Kids which premiered in 2001 revolved around the Cortez family, the parents played by Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino, two spies who own their espionage organization. When they run into trouble their children Carmen (Alexa PenaVega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara) join the family business to go to their parent’s rescue. The film franchise includes Spy Kids 2: The Island Of Lost Dreams (2002), Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003), and Spy Kids: All The Time In The World (2011). A literal Who’s Who of Hollywood talent appeared in the films at different times, they included; Danny Trejo (who originate his infamous role of Machete in this franchise), Cheech Marin, Ricardo Montalban, Salma Hayek, Steve Bucemi, Sylvester Stallone, Tony Shalhoub, George Clooney, Selena Gomez, Jessica Alba, Allen Cumming, Jeremy Piven, among others. Collectively, the franchise has earned over $550 million worldwide with more to be added with the addition of the new film.
Producing this time around will be David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger for Skydance, which will oversee development and production. Elizabeth Avellan, the original producer of the franchise and Racer Max (son of Rodriguez and Avellan) will also produce.
Spyglass owns the Spy Kids franchise. Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce.
Netflix’s expanding slate of all-audience movies also includes Rodriguez’s action-packed family film We Can Be Heroes which starred Pedro Pascal, Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza, and a group of very talented kids who played the heroes in the movie; the family comedy Yes Day, starring Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramírez and Jenna Ortega; as well as the the fantasy adventure Slumberland, Enola Holmes 2, and the fantasy The School for Good Evil.
Rodriguez is repped by WME and attorney Craig Emanuel.