New ‘G.I. JOE’ Movie in the Works – Max Landis and Danny McBride to Combine Scripts for Action-Packed Reboot

Paramount is moving forward with a new G.I. Joe movie in an unusual way. The studio has hired two writers, Max Landis and Danny McBride, to work separately on scripts for the project. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the plan is to eventually blend the two scripts into one movie, though for now they are being developed as distinct projects.

Landis, the son of director John Landis, gained attention in Hollywood for his hit 2012 screenplay Chronicle, which starred Michael B. Jordan. He also wrote Bright for Netflix, featuring Will Smith, and has been known for his unique takes on superheroes, including a viral YouTube mini-series about The Flash.

However, Landis’ career has been controversial. In 2019, several women accused him of s**** and emotional abuse, though no charges were ever filed. In a YouTube video three years ago, Landis admitted to mistakes in his personal relationships, calling himself a “toxic partner” and saying, “I get why certain people hate me.”

Danny McBride, known for his acting on shows like Righteous Gemstones and co-creating Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals, has also written feature scripts. His recent work includes co-writing the recent Halloween trilogy and 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer.

The producer behind the G.I. Joe films, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, will oversee this new project. The dual-script approach is rare but not unheard of in Hollywood. Similar strategies have been used in the past for big franchises, like Warner Bros.’s Tarzan and Universal’s Mummy reboots, where multiple writers worked on separate versions before merging ideas. Paramount has also previously explored multiple scripts for Transformers and Star Trek movies.

This hiring reflects Paramount and Skydance’s willingness to work with controversial figures in Hollywood. Past examples include John Lasseter joining Skydance Animation after leaving Pixar amid misconduct claims, and Brett Ratner returning to direct Rush Hour 4 despite previous s**** misconduct allegations.

The new G.I. Joe movie is still in the early stages, but the combination of Landis’ and McBride’s distinct styles suggests the studio is aiming for a mix of action and humor.

This is a bold but risky strategy for a major franchise. Combining two very different scripts could lead to a fresh take on G.I. Joe, but it could also create a messy story if not handled carefully. What do you think about Paramount’s plan to merge two scripts for the new G.I. Joe film? Share your thoughts in the comments.