Paramount Passes on ‘G.I. Joe’ Treatment from Max Landis (EXCLUSIVE)
#G.I. Joe #Max Landis #Paramount Pictures #Hasbro #Movie Treatment #Intellectual Property #Film Franchise #Star Trek
📌 Key Takeaways
- Paramount and Hasbro have passed on Max Landis's G.I. Joe movie treatment
- Landis was hired earlier in 2026 to develop a script for the iconic action figures
- New Paramount leadership is prioritizing IP relaunches including G.I. Joe and Star Trek
- This decision comes as part of a strategic shift in how the studio handles established properties
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Film Industry, Intellectual Property, Business Strategy
📚 Related People & Topics
Intellectual property
Ownership of creative expressions and processes
Intellectual property (IP) is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect. There are many types of intellectual property, and some countries recognize more than others. The best-known types are patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.
Paramount Pictures
American film and distribution company
Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production and distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount Skydance. Founded on May 8, 1912, it is the sixth-oldest global film studio and the second-oldest in the...
Max Landis
American filmmaker (born 1985)
Max Landis (born August 3, 1985) is an American filmmaker. He is the son of director John Landis. He wrote scripts for the films Chronicle (2012), American Ultra (2015), Victor Frankenstein (2015), and Bright (2017).
Hasbro
American multinational toy and entertainment company
Hasbro, Inc. (; a syllabic abbreviation of its original name, Hassenfeld Brothers) is an American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment holding company founded on December 6, 1923 by Henry, Hillel and Herman Hassenfeld and is incorporated and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Has...
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This decision matters as it represents a strategic shift by Paramount's new leadership in handling established intellectual properties. It affects not only screenwriter Max Landis's career trajectory but also the future direction of the G.I. Joe franchise, which has a dedicated fan base. The move signals a broader industry trend of studios reevaluating their approaches to legacy properties in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape.
Context & Background
- G.I. Joe is a popular line of action figures created by Hasbro in 1964, originally based on four branches of the U.S. military
- The franchise has expanded into various media including comic books, animated series, and video games
- The first live-action G.I. Joe film, 'G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,' was released in 2009 and grossed over $302 million worldwide
- A sequel, 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation,' followed in 2013, earning over $375 million globally
- Max Landis is known for writing films like 'Chronicle' (2012) and 'American Ultra' (2015), and has developed a reputation for unconventional approaches to established properties
- Paramount Pictures has been undergoing leadership changes, which often result in strategic shifts for the studio's film slate
What Happens Next
Paramount is likely to begin searching for a new creative vision for the G.I. Joe franchise, potentially with a different screenwriter or director who aligns with their new strategic direction. The studio may also take more time to develop a treatment that better balances contemporary appeal with the property's heritage. Given the mention of Star Trek also being prioritized, we can expect Paramount to announce their plans for both franchises during their upcoming investor presentations or film slate announcements, likely occurring within the next 6-12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Max Landis is a screenwriter known for films like 'Chronicle' and 'American Ultra.' He is the son of renowned director John Landis, who directed 'Trading Places' and 'An American Werewolf in London.'
Paramount's new leadership is strategically reevaluating how to handle their portfolio of established properties, seeking a fresh approach that better resonates with contemporary audiences while honoring the G.I. Joe franchise's heritage.
The previous G.I. Joe films, 'The Rise of Cobra' (2009) and 'Retaliation' (2013), were commercial successes, grossing over $302 million and $375 million worldwide respectively, though they received mixed critical reviews.
This reflects the ongoing challenges studios face when adapting beloved toy franchises, as they continually seek the right balance between honoring source material and creating content that appeals to modern audiences.
Given the strategic shift at Paramount, we can likely expect an announcement regarding the future direction of the G.I. Joe franchise within the next 6-12 months, possibly during an investor presentation or film slate announcement.