John Mulaney Eyed for Lead in Get Smart Reboot

Comedian John Mulaney is in early discussions to star as Agent Maxwell Smart in Warner Bros.' upcoming film reboot of the classic spy comedy "Get Smart." The project is currently in its nascent stages of development, with Variety confirming Mulaney's potential involvement. Seth Grahame-Smith, known for his writing on "Now You See Me: Now You Don't," is attached to pen the screenplay for the new "Get Smart" adaptation. The film is being produced by Andrew Lazar and Chuck Roven, both established figures in Hollywood production.

"Get Smart" originated as a 1960s television series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, satirizing the spy genre. The original series starred Don Adams as the bumbling but well-intentioned secret agent Maxwell Smart, working for the CONTROL agency, and Barbara Feldon as his competent partner, Agent 99. The show was celebrated for its slapstick humor, innovative gadgets, and iconic catchphrases like "Would you believe?" and "Missed it by that much." The series ran for five seasons from 1965 to 1970, spawning a successful franchise that included animated spin-offs and a previous feature film adaptation in 2008.

The 2008 film adaptation, directed by Peter Segal, starred Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart and Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. It grossed over $230 million worldwide against a production budget of $80 million, indicating a market for the "Get Smart" IP. The involvement of Mulaney, a highly regarded stand-up comedian and writer known for his sharp observational humor and distinctive delivery, suggests a potential tonal direction for the reboot. Mulaney's previous work includes the critically acclaimed Netflix specials "Kid Gorgeous at Radio City" and "The Comeback Kid," as well as co-creating and starring in the animated series "Big Mouth." His comedic sensibilities could bring a fresh, contemporary take to the beloved character of Maxwell Smart.

Warner Bros. has not yet officially confirmed Mulaney's casting or provided a timeline for the "Get Smart" reboot's production. The studio is likely assessing the project's viability and assembling the full creative team. The success of previous "Get Smart" iterations, particularly the 2008 film, provides a foundation for this new endeavor, with the studio aiming to capture the comedic essence of the original while appealing to a modern audience. The early stage of development means that further details regarding the plot, supporting cast, and director are expected to emerge as the project progresses.