Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Renews First-Look Deal With Paramount

Paramount Pictures has renewed its first look development deal with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Productions for another three years.

The latest deal, to run through to Dec. 2026 and cover film development at Maximum Effort, extends an original first look agreement launched in 2021 and includes titles not yet announced. These include Starter Villain, with Jesse Andrews attached to adapt; an adaptation of the family book series Eloise, with partner MRC; and the original action comedy Gaslight Express, with Reynolds teaming up with Deadpool scribes Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese.

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Reynolds launched the banner in 2018 with Maximum Effort co-founder George Dewey and co-presidents Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau running day-to-day operations out of Los Angeles.

“The Paramount partnership feels like home to everyone at Maximum Effort so another three 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 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,” Reynolds said in a statement on Thursday.

Reynolds and Dewey launched Maximum Effort after successful marketing campaigns for the first two Deadpool films. As his collaboration with Paramount continues, Reynolds is attached to star in and produce the previously-announced Boy Band, with Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps also producing.

Reynolds is also producing and starring in the Paramount family film IF, also starring John Krasinski, which is slated for theatrical release on May 17.

Brian Robbins, Paramount Pictures president and CEO, added in his own statement: “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.”

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