PARAMOUNT PICTURES ANNOUNCES RENEWAL OF MULTI-YEAR FIRST LOOK DEAL WITH RYAN REYNOLDS' PRODUCTION COMPANY MAXIMUM EFFORT

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Feb 08, 2024, 12:45 ET

This latest deal extends a partnership between the studio and production company that launched in 2021

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures announced today that it has renewed its first look development deal with Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Productions for an additional three-year term, taking the studio's partnership with the production company through December 2026.

The deal covers motion picture development for all of Maximum Effort's projects, at all budget levels. Maximum Effort Co-Founder George Dewey and Co-Presidents Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau run day-to-day operations for the production company out of their Los Angeles office. Reynolds and Dewey launched Maximum Effort in 2018, following their successful collaborative efforts on the marketing campaigns for the first two Deadpool films.

As part of Maximum Effort's deal with the studio, Reynolds is attached to star in and produce the previously announced 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-bestselling book of the same name by John Scalzi, with Jesse Andrews attached to adapt; an adaptation of the beloved 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.

Next up, Reynolds produces and stars in the Paramount Pictures all-audience family film IF, also 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. The film centers on a girl who discovers she can see everyone's imaginary friends, and what she does with that ability, as she embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their creators. IF is slated for theatrical release May 17^th.

Brian Robbins, Paramount Pictures President & 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 3 years was a no-brainer," said Maximum Effort Co-Founder Ryan 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."

About Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Paramount Pictures has some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, and Paramount Players. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Maximum Effort
Maximum Effort makes movies, tv series, content and cocktails for the personal amusement of Hollywood Star Ryan Reynolds. We occasionally share them with the general public. Producers of the Deadpool films, Free Guy, The Adam Project and Welcome to Wrexham.

SOURCE Paramount Pictures