Max Landis’ G.I. Joe Script Isn’t Progressing at Paramount, But the Studio Is Open to Franchise Reboot Ideas
Paramount Pictures has decided not to move forward with Max Landis’ treatment for a new G.I. Joe film, according to sources close to the situation.
Industry insiders indicate that a specific direction for the next installment of the franchise, known as Real American Hero, has yet to be determined. The studio continues to hold meetings with various writers, including Danny McBride, the star and creator of The Righteous Gemstones.
Max Landis, son of acclaimed filmmaker John Landis, gained attention as a screenwriter early in his career, selling three pitches within six months. His screenplay for Chronicle was recognized on the Black List and was later sold to 20th Century Fox and Davis Entertainment.
The last appearance of G.I. Joe hinted at a potential collaboration with Transformers during the closing scenes of Steven Caple Jr.’s 2023 release, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, which remains a possibility for the franchise.
Landis’ proposed film reportedly took a grounded spy thriller approach, eschewing classic G.I. Joe characters in favor of a satirical adventure tone. Paramount has expressed a need for revitalized retail sales of G.I. Joe, which often correlate with the release of franchise films. One source cited the studio’s hesitation regarding Landis’ pitch stemmed from its satirical tone rather than his personal history.
Notably, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, a producer on the Transformers series, also oversees the G.I. Joe films.
Landis faced allegations of sexual abuse from multiple individuals between 2017 and 2019. Following these allegations, his management company, Writ Large, severed ties with him in June 2019.
To date, the first two G.I. Joe films, adapted from Hasbro toys, grossed a combined $678.1 million worldwide, featuring stars like Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, and Channing Tatum. However, the 2021 spinoff, Snake Eyes, underperformed at the box office, earning only $40 million globally.
Paramount has not commented on the matter. Variety was the first to report on Landis’ treatment and its rejection by the studio.
