John Mulaney is in early talks to take the lead role in a new Get Smart project at Warner Bros. The comedian, known for his work on Saturday Night Live and various Netflix comedy specials, would step into the iconic shoes of Maxwell Smart. This role was originally brought to life by Don Adams in the 1965 television series. Seth Grahame-Smith is currently penning the script for this feature-length attempt to revive the spy spoof.
The History of the Spy Spoof
The original television show was created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry and premiered on NBC in 1965. Its release came three years after the cinematic debut of the Sean Connery James Bond franchise. The show found immediate success by poking fun at the tropes of the spy genre. Don Adams portrayed the bumbling Agent 86 alongside Barbara Feldon as Agent 99 and Edward Platt as the Chief. The program remains a staple of 1960s television history and solidified a specific type of satire that blends gadgets with incompetence.
Past Attempts at a Franchise
Warner Bros. previously adapted the series for the big screen in 2008. Directed by Peter Segal, that film featured Steve Carell as the lead alongside Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson. It pulled in $230 million at the global box office. Despite that financial performance, plans for a follow-up sequel eventually stalled and never reached production. A review from The Hollywood Reporter at the time noted the 2008 effort relied heavily on big-budget stunts rather than the sharp wit of the original material.
Looking Ahead
Charles Roven and Andrew Lazar are currently attached to produce the project. Mulaney brings a distinct comedic profile to the table. His career spans his tenure as an SNL writer to his solo specials like Baby J and his vocal performance on Big Mouth. Recent acting turns include a recurring spot on The Bear and a role in a John Madden biopic helmed by David O. Russell. While this reboot is still in its infancy, it signals a desire by studio executives to return to established intellectual property with a new comedic lead. The film industry is currently focused on finding fresh ways to market known brands to a younger demographic. Whether this approach results in a hit remains for the box office to decide.