John Mulaney is currently in discussions to headline Warner Bros.’ upcoming reboot of “Get Smart,” according to reports from Variety. The project remains in the early development phase.
Seth Grahame-Smith, who recently wrote the screenplay for 2025’s “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” is set to pen the script. Andrew Lazar and Chuck Roven are attached as producers on the feature.
The original “Get Smart” television series debuted in 1965, co-created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. Running for five seasons and 138 episodes, the show starred Don Adams as the bumbling yet brilliant Agent Maxwell Smart, alongside Barbara Feldon as the competent Agent 99 and Edward Platt as the Chief. The series was critically acclaimed, winning seven Emmy Awards, including three for Outstanding Comedy Series and three individual acting awards for Adams.
This is not the first time the franchise has been adapted for cinema. In 2008, Steve Carell portrayed Smart in a film directed by Peter Segal, alongside Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, and Terence Stamp. Produced on a budget of $80 million, the movie grossed $38 million domestically and $230 million worldwide, marking it as a moderate box office success.
Mulaney’s recent work includes hosting Netflix’s “Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney,” a twelve-episode anti-talk show that aired in 2025. He is also scheduled to begin a nine-date stand-up tour, “Mulaney Takes Manhattan,” in January. In the film world, he is slated to appear in David O. Russell’s sports biopic “Madden,” where he will portray Trip Hawkins, the founder of Electronic Arts.
The potential casting marks a notable reunion for the comedian and the studio. During the 2024 Governors Awards, Mulaney humorously noted that he had previously auditioned for a minor role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Warner Bros. release “The Bride!” Now, the four-time Emmy winner may officially join the studio’s slate in a major leading role.
Mulaney doing stand-up in January sounds exhausting. Hope he doesn’t burn out before filming starts for this reboot.
Seth Grahame-Smith writing it gives me hope. He seems to have a knack for blending action and comedy well.
Wait, did he really audition for The Bride? That’s wild to hear about now that he’s landing a major lead role.
Warner Bros. better tread carefully. The original TV series is a classic, and fans have high expectations for any reboot.
I loved the 2008 movie despite its box office performance. Casting Mulaney feels like a smart upgrade from Steve Carell.
Mulaney would be perfect for this! He brings that same awkward charm as Carell but with more comedic depth.