Variety reports Paramount has passed on Max Landis‘s script treatment for a new G.I. Joe film. The studio purportedly rejected it over creative differences, rather than because of the backlash to Landis’s hiring. According to the paper, his pitch revolved around Cobra “having successfully taken over the world, and reduc[ing] G.I. Joe to a conspiracy theory.”
Deadline‘s sources add it “was a grounded spy thriller vein sans the classic G.I. Joe characters with a satirical adventure tone.” The notion of a reboot without franchise mainstays like Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Cobra Commander, Destro, or the Baroness was likely a bridge too far for Paramount, especially as most of its revenue from the movies comes from toy sales.
Landis’s hiring had caused controversy as a result of multiple allegations of sexual, physical, and psychologically abusive behavior, which led him to being dropped by his management in 2019. The writer, who has admitted to engaging in “emotional abuse, infidelity, and wild unpredictable emotional behavior and tantrums,” but denies the other allegations, had not worked on a Hollywood project until G.I. Joe.
Paramount did not respond to a request for comment from Variety, while G.I. Joe owner Hasbro could not be reached for comment. Landis himself told the paper, “This is just how big IP development always is. Honestly, I was surprised it was reported at all.”
Other pitches for reviving the films remain in the mix, including one by The Righteous Gemstones creator and star Danny McBride, which was first reported on alongside Landis’s treatment. At the time, it was unclear if Paramount would try to merge their scripts or not, but now it’ll presumably go forward as its own screenplay.
