Paramount Passes on 'G.I. Joe' Script, Explores New Directions for Franchise Reboot

Paramount Pictures Part Ways with Max Landis Over 'G.I. Joe' Film Project Paramount Pictures has officially decided to abandon Max Landis’s screenplay for a new 'G.I.. Joe' movie, bringing an end to their collaboration with the writer on this upcoming installment of the beloved franchise. Landis confirmed that his version of the script is no longer being considered by the studio. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the project and was surprised that details of his involvement had leaked to the press. What Landis’s Script Entailed According to Landis, his screenplay diverged markedly from previous 'G.I.. Joe' films. His storyline depicted a dystopian scenario in which the villainous Cobra organization had already seized global dominance, rendering the heroic G.I.. Joe team a mere myth or conspiracy theory in the eyes of the public. The narrative focused on a world where most people don’t even believe the team exists, and the heroes operate covertly under hostile conditions. Industry Comeback and Background News of Landis working on a new 'G.I.. Joe' adaptation surfaced in February 2026, signaling a potential return to major Hollywood projects for the writer after several years of relative absence. Landis had not been active in film since 2019, largely due to allegations of sexual misconduct made against him between 2017 and 2019, which led many studios to sever ties with him. Landis’s Personal Reflections In recent years, Landis publicly addressed the controversy, acknowledging serious mistakes in his personal relationships. He described himself as a “toxic partner” in some of his past interactions and expressed an understanding of why many people hold him in critical regard. Future of the 'G.I.. Joe' Project Although Paramount has rejected Landis’s script, the studio is not abandoning the 'G.I.. Joe' franchise altogether. They continue to develop the project and are currently in negotiations with other writers to craft a new screenplay. Fresh treatment proposals are expected soon, which will shape the future direction of the film.