New ‘Spy Kids’ movie in the works from original director Robert Rodriguez

Director Robert Rodriguez is reportedly rebooting Spy Kids, his well-loved family action adventure franchise that first debuted two decades ago.

The new film project comes fresh off the success of Netflix’s We Can Be Heroes, a sequel to his 2005 kids’ film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. 

The original Spy Kids franchise launched in 2001 starred Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino as parents and retired spies. When they get pulled back into action and captured, their kids, played by Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabata, discover the truth about their parents' past, and step into action to help save the day. The classic family adventure film is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 

As first reported by Deadline on Tuesday (Jan. 26), Skydance Media had optioned the rights to reimagine the franchise alongside original producers Spyglass Media Group. Rodriguez will be back to write and direct the new film, which will still revolve around the activities of a multicultural family much like its predecessors.

The first film went on to spawn a series of sequels of the spy family's adventures, including Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002) and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003).

The original Spy Kids theatrical franchise concluded with 2011’s Spy Kids: All the Time in the World, which was itself a reboot of the original trilogy, starring Joel McHale and Jessica Alba. 

Rodriguez later produced the animated spin-off streaming series Spy Kids: Mission Critical for Netflix. 

For the next film installment, Skydance will serve as the lead studio and oversee development and production while Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce.

Plot details for the new Spy Kids film project are still scarce, and it remains unclear if any of the franchise's original cast will return in any capacity.

(Images via Spy Kids)