Paramount Developing New G.I. Joe Movie with Controversial Writer

David Ellison’s Paramount appears to be extending a professional olive branch to another sidelined Hollywood figure. Max Landis, the screenwriter and son of director John Landis, has reportedly been commissioned to develop a fresh treatment for the G.I. Joe cinematic universe.

In an effort to revitalize the long-dormant Hasbro property, the studio has enlisted both Landis and Danny McBride to produce separate scripts for a potential feature film. While dual development—where multiple writers tackle the same IP simultaneously—is common for major tentpoles, the decision to hire a figure as polarizing as Landis is a notable choice for a toy-centric franchise.

Landis’s career effectively stalled in 2019 after he was accused of sexual and emotional abuse by several women in a high-profile exposé. Following the allegations, his representation severed ties with him and his active projects were shelved. Despite the professional fallout, no formal charges were ever brought against the writer.

Under the stewardship of CEO David Ellison, Skydance and Paramount (which may soon transition to Paramount Skydance Warner) have shown a consistent willingness to rehabilitate embattled industry talent. This pattern includes hiring former Pixar head John Lasseter after he acknowledged workplace conduct that made staff feel “disrespected.” More recently, the studio moved forward with distributing Rush Hour 4, marking a comeback for director Brett Ratner following 2017 misconduct claims.

Landis initially rose to fame through his “spec script” successes, most notably the 2012 found-footage hit Chronicle. He also penned the big-budget Netflix fantasy-procedural Bright. McBride, meanwhile, has built a formidable reputation as both a performer and creator of cult-favorite HBO series like Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals. He also transitioned into genre filmmaking by co-writing the recent Halloween trilogy for Blumhouse.

Given the franchise’s recent trajectory, McBride’s comedic sensibilities might be the better fit for the Real American Hero. After the self-serious tone of 2021’s Snake Eyes failed to ignite the box office, the series could benefit from a lighter touch. While Landis often gravitates toward cynical or dark subversions of genre tropes, G.I. Joe remains a brand rooted in toys and Saturday morning cartoons. For a property centered on elite soldiers fighting a theatrical terrorist organization like Cobra, a less controversial production environment—and perhaps a few less political parallels—would likely serve the studio well.

Source: Polygon