Lol, Paramount Turned Down Max Landis’ ‘GI Joe’ Pitch

It was just two weeks ago that we learned Paramount brought on Max Landis to pen a script for a new theatrical GI Joe movie. Apparently, two weeks was long enough for that idea to fall through, because Variety reports the studio has passed on his pitch.

According to the outlet, “creative reasons” led to his script being turned down. When contacted on Instagram, he told Variety his pitch concerned the terrorist organization Cobra having taken over the world and “reduced G.I. Joe to a conspiracy theory.” In his words, this idea formed “very serendipitously based on the coolness of the weird and subversive idea.” The rejection is “just how big IP development is,” and he expressed his thanks for being given a chance to revitalize the franchsie.

Just because Landis is out doesn’t mean Paramount’s giving up on GI Joe. Other writers are still pitching their own ideas for the IP, including Danny McBride. Initial reports cliamed the studio’s idea was to let McBride and Landis do their own different scripts and then combine both ideas, or just let them do their own separate scripts and pick the best. Looks like the latter option won out, but it’s currently unclear what other writers have put their hat in alongside McBride. We’re sure to find out more in the coming weeks.

Until then, think about GI Joe if you want, or just crack your jokes about Landis not getting to make a comeback with this property. Either works.

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