5 Kid's Shows That Could Actually Make Watchable Movies They turned Transformers into a movie franchise; they turned Land of the Lost into a movie; they're turning Thundercats, Where's Waldo? and Stretch Armstrong into movies. Clearly, these things are just going to keep happening. Every single thing you remember from a past decade will be announced as a movie sooner or later. Slap wraps will be a movie. Girl Talk: The Next Zit Sticker will be a movie. Crystal Pepsi will be a movie. And you know what? I surrender! We might as well start preemptively embracing these things and hoping for the best before they're announced -- it lessens the blow that way. Here are five kid's shows you liked when you were younger that will inevitably be adapted into live action films, as well as some casting suggestions that we can hopefully all live with.

Hey Dude
Think about it: A hammy slapstick Western starring Shia LaBeouf as Ted, Alison Lohman as Melody, Brittany Snow as rich bitch Brad, Taylor Lautner as Hopi Indian Danny Lightfoot, Jay Baruchel as geeky Jake and HRG as Mr. Ernst. Just please keep Miley Cyrus away from it, and you've got my 12 bucks, Hollywood.

She-Ra: Princess of Power
Scarlett Johansson has the look, but Summer Glau has the talent to elevate action material. Throw in some Alexander SkarsgÄrd as He-Man action, and Zeljko Ivanek as Skeletor and we might be able to deal with a She-Ra movie under the proper direction. Maybe J.J. Abrams? He likes reboots, pretty colors and badass ladies.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
It's actually always surprised me that no one has talked Angelina Jolie into being Carmen Sandiego for a paycheck yet. Love her or hate her, girl can work a trench. The movie will probably be some sort of cross with Spy Kids, where perhaps a family of geographically knowledgeable bounty hunters track her across the world after she steals like the Sphinx or Eiffel Tower or something. Actually, they may want to reduce the scale of her thievery to art or jewels for a more believable movie. Just a suggestion.

The Magic Schoolbus
The potential for a CG eyegasm here is tremendous, and we finally have the technology! Yay, the future is now! Jane Lynch will play Ms. Frizzle (previously voiced by Lily Tomlin in the cartoon series), Abigail Breslin will play bookworm Dorothy Ann, Jamie from One Tree Hill will play the field trip-hating Arnold and Wanda Sykes will voice the class pet lizard Liz. It's mostly just an opportunity to see some CGI guts somewhere other than House.

Jem and The Holograms
This one definitely will happen. No joke. We all know it. It's going to hurt at first, but Josie and The Pussycats was an okay movie, even though it had Tara Reid in it, and there's no reason this one can't be as well. Leighton Meester can sing her own songs and look fierce as the titular Jem, backed by Holograms Amanda Seyfried, Emma Stone and Kristin Bell, squaring off against the evil Misfits: Megan Fox, Kristen Stewart, Ellen Page and Avril Lavigne, with Zac Efron as that two-timer Rio and Debbie Harry as Synergy. Now try getting the theme song out of your head. I can't. Stop. Singing.

Thoughts? Any enraged Voltron fans out there? Spill in the comments.

50 Comments

June 3, 2009 11:02 AM
Anonymous
Reply

A Jem remake would be totally outrageous! Although Kristin Bell would be a better Jem then Leighton Meester - who would make a great Pizazz in my opinion.

June 3, 2009 11:21 AM
Dee
Reply

I freaking LOVED Jem and the Holograms. Please don't ruin that for me Hollywood! You're already raped most of my childhood shows/movies. I would love to see that Hey Dude movie though. *grin*

June 3, 2009 11:33 AM
amroyo
Reply

If making a Jem and the Holograms movie is the only way to get the last season and a half of the cartoon on DVD (shakes fist at Rhino) then I may just be open to that idea.

June 3, 2009 11:42 AM
Alicia
Reply

The Jem movie MUST happen. If only so I can show my husband why I have "those silly kids songs" as my ringtones on my phone.

June 3, 2009 11:44 AM
cesar
Reply

Megan Fox would rock as Pizzazz. Honestly. I can see Jem being a great movie as long as they kept the ridiculous '80s aesthetic.

June 3, 2009 12:03 PM
Danielle
Reply

I thought about "The Great Space Coaster" and a live action "My Little Pony" though I don't know if they would make CGI ponies or put CGI symbols on real ponies. Maybe I'm bored at work.

June 3, 2009 1:38 PM
Erica
Reply

Darn it, where's my Thundercats movie?!?!

June 3, 2009 1:40 PM
Amanda
Reply

LEGENDS OF THE HIDDEN TEMPLE.

P.S. I would see all of these movies, but I think Michelle Tractenberg should play Brad in "Hey Dude."

June 3, 2009 1:51 PM
Betsy
Reply

I second the Legends of the Hidden Temple vote. Not only is it one of my most beloved childhood shows, but how badass could it be if instead of kids politely leaving the show, it was an Indiana Jones type thing where the unworthy are killed. Those creepy temple guards would be even creepier than usual.

June 3, 2009 2:18 PM
Joan
Reply

I second that Kristen Bell would be a better Jen than Leighton. Plus, on the Fanboys DVD Kristen Bell said she was a huge fan of Jem and the Holograms, and in the movie she wears her own Misfits T-shirt. She wins.

June 3, 2009 2:23 PM
Joan
Reply
replied to comment from Joan

Oops! *a better Jem

June 3, 2009 2:52 PM
NumberSix
Reply

Catherine Zeta-Jones is a former history professor turned art thief. With her henchmen, brothers and former French house DJs named Double Trouble, she sets out on a mission to steal the most prized artifact from each of the six populated continents. Hot on her trail are two young Interpol interns, using their technological expertise to help their section Chief follow her across the globe. This fall, they try to answer the question: Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?


I'd pay to see that.

June 3, 2009 2:59 PM
LaDeeDa
Reply

I'm all for a Voltron remake! Or, just maybe, a live action Dexter's Laboratory? That show was amazing!

June 3, 2009 3:25 PM
LoremasterTeague
Reply

I've always seen Hannah Montana as the remake of Jem. It has everything down to fooling folks of your secret identity with a bubble gum color wig and make up.

I'm with those for a Voltron movie. Lions only please. And for a good laugh, Go-bots the movie. Hasbro wouldn't miss a chance to make more money from transforming robots.

June 3, 2009 3:27 PM
zkw
Reply

Zeljko Ivanek as Skeletor? I want that movie made NOW.

June 3, 2009 3:48 PM
JK
Reply

I Agree with NumberSix in that CZJ should play Carmen Sandiego. Why? Because it's been a while since we've seen CZJ in anything, and because Jolie would NEVER in a million years do a family film(Nevermind that she has more kids than her sister, the Octomom).

To paraphrase Right Said Fred, She's "Too Sexy" for that role. Jonsey is more natural for the part.

June 3, 2009 3:59 PM
Toni
Reply

Blake Lively would make a better Jem than Meester. And Summer Glau isn't enough of an Amazon to be She-Ra. She's too petite, like SMG, she fits the Joss Whedon ass-kicking-female, but she's just not right for She-Ra.

June 3, 2009 4:03 PM
Toni
Reply

Whoops, meant to say Summer Glau fits the Joss Whedon ass-kicking-female arch-type.

Also, there were only 3 misfits, not 4. Plus, one of the Holograms was African-American, and another was Asian. Either you are white-washing your choices to fit in all the 'cool' actresses you like in it, or you really weren't that much of a fan to begin with.

June 3, 2009 4:10 PM
Liz in Minneapolis
Reply

If only - it's so tough to get girls' properties revived. The online Jem fan community has been wishing and hoping and praying for a Jem movie for years now, and last year's JemCon was in LA, with a good chunk of the voice cast, director Wally Burr, and head writer Christy Marx there as guests. If anyone wants to join us in actively bugging people for a movie or a complete re-release of the DVDs, please do so! And we throw a nice little DIY convention, too.

June 3, 2009 4:18 PM
Liz in Minneapolis
Reply

Sorry, can't help it - there actually were four Misfits - Pizzazz, Stormer, Roxy, and Jetta (added second season, British, played the saxophone.) They also had a hanger-on named Clash and a wonderfully evil manager, Eric Raymod, the overall villain of the series.

The Holograms added a fifth member in the second season as well - Mexican-American Raya. And then there were recurring Hologram friends Video and Danse, and the Starlight foster girls, and the Stingers...

June 3, 2009 5:07 PM
DawnWarrior
Reply

Hey, I'm writing a She-Ra screenplay right now. Get FNL's resident valkyrie Adrian Palicki in the winged tiara and I'm a happy guy. Summer Glau could be Glimmer, and the leonine King of Deadwood Ian McShane can be Hordak.

June 3, 2009 7:31 PM
cordis
Reply

Well hell, if they've remade 'Land of the Lost' they're obviously looking at the old Sid and Marty Croft stuff in a comedic way. So taking that to a logical conclusion, I'd love to see an 'H. R. Puffnstuff' remake with Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill and all those stoner-types playing up the psychedelia. Or 'Lidsville', damn, that would be freaky.

June 3, 2009 9:36 PM
Anonymous
Reply

NOOO!!! Please don't ruin - YET- another favorite nostalgic cheesy cartoon from my childhood! No no no no!

June 3, 2009 10:06 PM
Melissa
Reply

The Magic Schoolbus would be an awesome movie! Who do I have to write to make that happen?

June 3, 2009 11:49 PM
Pharangese
Reply
replied to comment from LaDeeDa

there is going to be a remake of Voltron, but still in development hell.

June 4, 2009 12:41 AM
Anonymous
Reply
replied to comment from Anonymous

Totally agree with Leighton as Pizazz and Kristin being Jem!

June 4, 2009 1:18 AM
pjamma
Reply

I want a movie wear Mrs. Grossman's stickers come alive. I want to see the bear wearing the cut up heart bikini.

June 4, 2009 1:21 AM
pjamma
Reply

Olivia Wilde has to play Jem. Ever since the OC where she had that purple streak in her hair I have thought of her as Jem.

June 4, 2009 1:28 AM
snosamie6
Reply
replied to comment from NumberSix

Hows about all 7 continents? There is quite a few prized artifacts from the first explorers still on the continent. Not to mention that there is plenty of expensive scientific equipment.

June 4, 2009 3:00 AM
Mimi
Reply

I am in full agreement that a Jem movie is a fantastic idea.

I think a lot of the old Nick shows could make good movies, my personal pick being 'The Secret World of Alex Mack'. I think that could easily be made into a kid's sci-fi adventure thing, plus with a kick-ass heroine!

June 4, 2009 4:15 AM
Vi
Reply

I've been hoping for a Jem movie for years now. A live-action movie would work much better if it were set in the 80s' though. And it would be sinful if it didn't feature Leighton Meester and Emma Stone.

Speaking of J&tH, do any of you Jem junkies know who'd take care of the Starlight girls when the Holograms were away adventuring/touring/whatever? I can't remember for the life of me.

June 4, 2009 8:38 AM
Emmy
Reply

I am just so excited to see Hey Dude mentioned. I thought everyone but me had missed/forgotten about that show. Loved it.

Also, loved Jem and I think Kristen Bell would be fabulous.

June 4, 2009 8:43 AM
Emmy
Reply

I am just so excited to see Hey Dude mentioned. I thought everyone but me had missed/forgotten about that show. Loved it.

Also, loved Jem. I had to sneak to watch it though, as my mom thought that it was too "mature." Maybe it was the 2-timing boyfriend? I'm 30 now, so I'm thinking my mom may have been a wee overprotective.

June 4, 2009 10:50 AM
Krissy
Reply

I nearly spit out my coffee at HRG proposed as Mr. Ernst. And yet I can totally see it.
And after reading all the suggestions for a She-Ra movie, I suddenly really want it to happen. Is there a petition somewhere we can sign?

June 4, 2009 11:35 AM
Anonymous
Reply

Vi, there was a housekeeper named Mrs. Bailey at Starlight Mansion who seemed to be the default backup adult.

I would hope that any Jem movie kept the 80's setting and character ages (early to mid-20's, NOT teenagers,) too - given Hannah Montana, there's no need for another updated Jem, although I suppose I could handle some upgrades to Synergy's abilities and their car, to satisfy the kids these days. :-) I hesitate to suggest going all "Speed Racer" on it, aesthetically, but some stylization and cartooniness would be very welcome. The hair colors and makeup are a must!

June 4, 2009 12:09 PM
kelly
Reply

I also loved "Hey Dude". They should have Christine Taylor (who was Melody) come on somehow as a cameo.

I think that "Salute Your Shorts" would be another fun remake, although it would probably have to be geared toward a younger demographic.

June 4, 2009 1:41 PM
Travis
Reply

I would die, release excrement in my pants, and then go to heaven if Jem was to ever be made in to a movie. Oh, the possibilities.

June 4, 2009 1:59 PM
teegee
Reply
replied to comment from Anonymous

I hate to break it to you, Anonymous, but Sony is looking to remake the 1970 Pufnstuf movie (there's a director attached and they're working on the script.) And Universal is developing Sigmund and the Sea Monsters! There's an article in the NY Times (5/28/09).

June 4, 2009 2:09 PM
Lambytoes
Reply

Jem was the BEST. SHOW. EVA.

I don't know anyone but Bell and Meister and they're fine I guess. Either one. Meister did a song with Cobra Starship so she's cool wit me. The black Hologram (Kimber?) should be Gabrielle Union. I would totally see the shit outta that movie.

I like the She-Ra movie choices too, but I'd like to add Galaxy High. I think the Harry Potter dude made that show originally it was a really good quality cartoon. I don't know any young Hollywood actors so I'm at a loss for casting.

June 4, 2009 2:10 PM
Jamie
Reply

This is SO on point. Just this weekend after seeing the trailers for Transformers II and GI - Joe, I stated on a facey social networking site that the children of the 80s are coming into our own. The boys have gotten their heros on the big screen -- when are the girls get their day. JEM was my favorite because like me she is truly truly truly outrageous!

June 4, 2009 2:24 PM
scully546
Reply

Hey Dude - "Just please keep Miley Cyrus away from it, and you've got my 12 bucks, Hollywood." shoot, keep Alison Lohan awaty from it and I'll see it TWICE AND buy a bucket of popcorn!

June 4, 2009 5:55 PM
Autumn
Reply
replied to comment from Betsy

I would actually pay money at a theater to see this movie.

June 4, 2009 5:57 PM
Autumn
Reply
replied to comment from NumberSix

I totally agree!

June 4, 2009 6:00 PM
Autumn
Reply
replied to comment from Liz in Minneapolis

Wow... you are truly an uber fan!

June 4, 2009 6:40 PM
infinitii
Reply

I've been trying to get a Rainbow Brite script put together for years now-- where's the love for that?

June 4, 2009 10:43 PM
bk
Reply
replied to comment from Dee

"Rape?" Is that necessary?

June 5, 2009 1:27 AM
Rachel
Reply

Who is HRG? I'm blanking.

June 5, 2009 3:22 AM
Helen
Reply

You know, despite the fact that Angelina would never do it, she would be PERFECT as Carmen for me.
That was one of my faves as a child and I see Angelina and her whole "looking behind her shoulder looking all smug" perfect for the role. Carmen has that whole misterious/sexy/"you'll never catch me" aura to her that I see Angelina pulling it off very easily. And she would ROCK the trench coat. Great choice, TWoP.

June 5, 2009 3:56 PM
Linnes_Yusof
Reply
replied to comment from Rachel

HRG is Noah Bennet from Heroes, played by Jack Coleman.

As for this bit:

"Now try getting the theme song out of your head. I can't. Stop. Singing"

Instead of Jem's (which I dearly love and would buy two tix plus popcorn/coke sets for if the movie ever comes out) I now have the Carmen Sandiego theme song playing on loop in my head. So, thanks. *grumbles*

And though I can see why people think CZJ would make an awesome Carmen, I do agree Angelina Jolie would be a better fit. She could be all Lara Croft about the whole deal and she would so rock the red trenchies and big-brimmed hat. *drools* Yes, I realize CZJ can be all Entrapment playing Carmen, but I don't think she'd rock said trenchies and hat quite as hard. And we all know that, other than the awesome geography/history/misc lessons we learn on the show, it's the sight of Carmen, dangling one-handed from a rope while a helicopter pulls her skyward to elude yet another attempt to capture her, trenchies and hair blowing crazily in the wind, is what makes the show truly great.

Damn it, nostalgia!

June 15, 2009 6:42 AM
Anonymous
Reply
replied to comment from Lambytoes

Kimber was Jerrica's/Jem's own sister. The black Hologram was Shana (pronounced shay-na).

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