Maxis Landis’s version of 'GI Jones' was turned down; the studio focuses on a reboot

When we think of military action movies, GI Jones is one name that instantly comes to mind. Fans of the high-octane war drama have been eagerly waiting for the next movie ever since its last release in 2021.

In February 2026, two separate treatments for a new G.I. Joe film were pitched to the studio, one written by Max Landis and the other by Danny McBride. However, it has recently been revealed that the studio has decided not to pursue the script put forward by Landis. Apparently, Landis’s take on the spy thriller didn't align with the studio's version of the widely popular American action thriller.

The studio’s take on Landis’s version of GI Jones, the story so far

Variety reports that Paramount Pictures and Hasbro are not moving forward with the version of GJ Jones presented by Maxis Landis.

They also stated that the makers of the film are still in talks with writers to finalise the script for the movie. Though Paramount hasn’t officially made any statement so far, the source also stated that the studio is awaiting scripts from writers, precisely Danny McBride.Danny McBride, who is also credited for creating ‘The Righteous Gemstones,’ is someone whom the studio is counting on. On the other hand, Landis thanked the studio for allowing him to present his idea.

“I’m tremendously grateful to have been given the opportunity,” he said, explaining that the concept was very serendipitously based on the coolness of the weird and subversive idea.According to Landis, his version imagined the villainous Cobra successfully conquering the world, and G.I. Joe's team dismisses it as nothing more than a conspiracy theory. The studio did not think this was the right direction for the movie.

They did not like the tone of the story. It was just that they did not think his idea was right for the movie. Landis, on the other hand, was surprised that people knew the idea of his story.“But this is just how big IP development always is,” he added. “Honestly, I was surprised it was reported at all.” Landis’s involvement in the project has drawn mixed reactions from the public owing to his controversial past.

All we know about Maxis Landis

Max Landis is an American screenwriter, known for writing the screenplays of films like ‘Chronicle’, ‘American Ultra’, and ‘Bright’. He has also created the TV series ‘Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency’. Son of director John Landis, Maxis first came to the limelight after he was accused of sexual misconduct by eight women. Following this, he was dropped from the agency CAA and multiple projects.