A key figure behind Iron Man has become the focus of new discussion after reports surfaced about a developing film based on an iconic space-themed game. Industry chatter intensified when a prominent online account claimed that the filmmaker is involved in producing the project.
Jon Favreau rumored to produce a new Zathura movie
A post from the account MyTimeToShineHello on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “Jon Favreau is producing a new Zathura movie,” prompting rumors that Favreau will produce a new installment. Favreau directed the original 2005 film Zathura: A Space Adventure, which adapted the 2002 book Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg.
William Teitler, Scott Kroopf, and Michael De Luca produced Zathura: A Space Adventure. The film starred Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart, and Tim Robbins. Sony Pictures Releasing released the movie on November 11, 2005. It grossed 65.1 million dollars worldwide on a 65 million dollar budget.
Favreau used practical effects extensively in the original film. According to Kristen Stewart, “When we harpooned walls and ripped them out, we were really doing it. When there was a fire on set, there was really fire” (via Teen Hollywood). Pete Travers, the visual effects supervisor, said the team worked to retain the stylized 1950s science fiction look. He explained that the design drew directly from Van Allsburg’s illustrations.
The studio marketed Zathura as taking place in the same universe as Jumanji, and Jack Black later referred to it as “the one in space.” The film holds a 77 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Justin Chang called it “arguably the best adaptation of a Chris Van Allsburg book to date” and praised Favreau’s approach to the material.
Favreau said the film “escaped” rather than released, noting the challenges that followed the success of Elf. Jack Black expressed interest in a possible remake or sequel, and producer Hiram Garcia described the game universe as large enough to include space settings. These facts establish the context around Zathura as new reports claim Favreau will produce a new installment.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.
