The producer also thinks the show should move to New York to have Ryan Seacrest host.
Nigel Lythgoe has the perfect judge in mind for the American Idol reboot.
The former AI producer told ET's Lauren Zima who he thinks should join Katy Perry on the judges panel at the Los Angeles debut of Travis Wall and Shaping Sound's new show, After the Curtain, at Royce Hall at UCLA on Tuesday.
RELATED: Ryan Seacrest Talks 'American Idol' Reboot and Kelly Clarkson Joining 'The Voice'
"The biggest star in my mind at the moment is Bruno Mars," Lythgoe, 67, expressed. "I think Bruno is fantastic. I don't know if he'd do it."
However, the producer noted that "just because he's a great singer and a great performer doesn't necessarily make him a great judge... You can never tell how a person's gonna be."
As for his feelings on bringing back the reality singing competition show? Lythgoe thinks "it's slightly too soon for it."
"At the same time, the fans won't think that and I think ABC has done a really good job of stealing it away," he said.
WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Paula Abdul Would Be Interested in Being a Mentor on ABC's 'American Idol'
Lythgoe also stated that he thinks Idol should move to New York so that Ryan Seacrest, who is now the co-host of Live With Kelly & Ryan, can rejoin the show. "If you really want Ryan, go to where he is," he shared. "And there isn't a better host than Ryan Seacrest, so I hope they stay with Ryan."
Seacrest has yet to officially sign on to the reboot, but has revealed that he's "sorting through the details of it."
Meanwhile, a former AI judge wouldn't rule out returning to the show. Paula Abdul told ET earlier this month that she would be interested in mentoring the singers.
For more on Abdul's thoughts on the reboot, watch below.
