Paramount Pictures has renewed its first-look development deal with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Productions. Under the three-year term, the pact will extend through December 2026.
The agreement between the studio and the production company covers motion picture development for all of Maximum Effort’s projects, at all budget levels. Under the deal, Reynolds will star in and produce the previously announced “Boy Band,” with Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps also producing. The story is by Reynolds with an original script co-written by Reynolds and Jesse Andrews (“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”). Levy, who has worked with Reynolds on “The Adam Project” and “Deadpool 3,” is attached to direct.
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Paramount Pictures and Maximum Effort are also developing “Starter Villain,” based on the bestselling science-fiction novel by John Scalzi, with Andrews attached to adapt. There’s also an adaptation of the book series “Eloise” with partner MRC, as well as the original action-comedy “Gaslight Express,” with Reynolds teaming up with the “Deadpool” writing duo of Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese.
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Next up, Reynolds produces and stars in the Paramount Pictures family film “If,” which also stars John Krasinski, who is producing and directing the film. “If” opens on May 17.
The pact’s extension comes as Paramount Global, the studio’s parent company, has become an acquisition target. Skydance Media, Warner Bros. Discovery and Allen Media Group have been circling the media company as controlling shareholder Shari Redstone weighs a sale.
Maximum Effort co-founder George Dewey and co-presidents Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau run day-to-day operations for the production company. Reynolds and Dewey launched Maximum Effort in 2018, following their successful collaborative efforts on the marketing campaigns for the first two “Deadpool” films.
“Ryan and George epitomize the kind of creativity and innovative thinking that allow this industry to reinvent itself time and again,” Brian Robbins, Paramount Pictures president and CEO, said in a statement. “On behalf of everyone at Paramount, we’re thrilled to continue working with Ryan and the team at Maximum Effort to create theatrical projects that are as original, smart and fun as they are.”
“The Paramount partnership feels like home to everyone at Maximum Effort so another three years was a no-brainer,” said Maximum Effort co-founder Reynolds. “We’ve loved working with Brian, Daria, Mikey and Marc and are 100% aligned with their commitment to bringing original films to movie theaters. Whether it’s congregating in theaters, toasting with some Aviation gin or cheering on a football pitch, the purpose of our company is to bring people together. We can’t wait to do more of it with the first-class team at Paramount.”