Paramount is looking to revive its “G.I. Joe” franchise, with Max Landis and Danny McBride each penning scripts based on the Hasbro toy franchise.
The projects are in early development, with further decisions to be made once the scripts are finished and submitted.
But, if greenlit, the project would mark a return to major studio fare for Landis, whose once-promising career — he penned “Chronicle” and “American Ultra” — imploded when he was accused by multiple women of sexual and emotional abuse at the height of #MeToo. Landis, the son of filmmaker John Landis, was dropped by his representatives amid the allegations, though charges were never filed.
McBride built his reputation as the creator and star of comedies like “Eastbound & Down,” “Vice Principals,” and the hit televangelist dramedy “The Righteous Gemstones,” as well as delivering standout turns in movies like “Tropic Thunder,” “Pineapple Express” and “This is the End.” McBride also lends his voice to Paramount’s “Angry Birds” movies. As a screenwriter, McBride successfully rebooted the “Halloween” franchise with director David Gordon Green and Jeff Fradley. The trio’s attempt to reboot “The Exorcist,” however, proved less fruitful.
Paramount has distributed three “G.I. Joe” movies to date: 2009’s “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” starring Channing Tatum, and its 2013 sequel “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” featuring Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson were major global hit hits, grossing a combined $678 million; but the 2021 origin story “Snake Eyes,” with Henry Golding, failed to spark at the post-Covid box office, earning just $40 million worldwide.
The “G.I. Joe” news comes as the David Ellison-owned studio is currently evaluating all its major IP for potential new installments, including two of its most lucrative film franchises — the worlds of Transformers and Star Trek. Plans for a G.I. Joe-Transformers crossover were teased at the end of 2022’s “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” from filmmaker Steven Caple Jr. “Transformers” producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura is also the producer of the “G.I. Joe” movies.
Upcoming projects from the studio’s stable of IP include “Scream 7,” the latest installment of the long-running slasher franchise, which is now playing in theaters; “Scary Movie 6,” the long-awaited revival of the horror spoof series due out in June; and “Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie” in July. 2027 brings new installments of Sonic the Hedgehog, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Angry Birds franchises.
THR was first to report Landis and McBride’s hirings. Representatives for the studio had no comment.
