Paramount Pictures & Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Extend Pact

Paramount Pictures has renewed its first-look development deal with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Productions for another three years, taking it through December 2026.

The deal covers motion picture development for all of Maximum Effort’s projects at all budget levels.

As part of Maximum Effort’s deal with the studio, Reynolds is attached to star in and produce the feature film 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, with Levy attached to direct.

Paramount Pictures and Maximum Effort are also in development on several projects, including Starter Villain, based on the New York Times best-selling book of the same name by John Scalzi, with Jesse Andrews to adapt; an adaptation of the family book series Eloise, with partner MRC; an original action comedy, Gaslight Express, with Reynolds teaming up with Deadpool scribes Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese.

Reynolds also produces and stars in the Paramount Pictures family film IF, co-starring John Krasinski, who is producing and directing the film, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr. and Steve Carell.

Brian Robbins, Paramount Pictures’ president and CEO, said, “Ryan and George epitomize the kind of creativity and innovative thinking that allow this industry to reinvent itself time and again. 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 Reynolds. “We’ve loved working with Brian, Daria, Mikey and Marc and are 100 percent 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.”