Deadpool franchise, the three films of which have been major moneymakers in his career. This year's Deadpool & Wolverine was particularly fruitful, making over $1 billion at the worldwide box office to become the no. 2 movie of the year so far. The superhero film has a chance of being usurped by the likes of Wicked or Moana 2, but will still almost assuredly maintain a spot in the global top 5 at the box office for 2024.

Reynolds has shown time and time again, however, that he does not need the draw of the MCU or Deadpool in order to turn a profit. 2019's Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, for example, made over $428 million at the worldwide box office. Even this year's family film IF made $184.6 million. Through the performance of films like these in his over-$4-billion-box-office career, Reynolds has displayed the power of attaching his name to major projects. The Free Guy star will hope to do the same again on a just-announced project.

Ryan Reynolds Will Team With Free Guy Writer On Mighty Mouse Adaptation

The Project Will Be Produced By Paramount Animation

Ryan Reynolds and Free Guy writer Matt Lieberman are reuniting to adapt the iconic cartoon superhero Mighty Mouse into a feature film. Mighty Mouse, who first debuted in the 1942 short The Mouse of Tomorrow, is a pint-sized superhero who was initially a parody of Superman with his super strength, flight, and penchant for operatic declarations like the famous catchphrase, “Here I come to save the day!”

According to Variety, Paramount Animation has tapped Reynold’s production company, Maximum Effort, to the project alongside Lieberman, who has written Free Guy, The Christmas Chronicles, and Scoob!. Brad Butler, vice president of animated features, will be overseeing the film. Additional details are so far being kept under wraps, but it is just the latest attempt at reviving the character for the big screen, as there have been other versions in development in recent years.

What Ryan Reynolds' Reunion With His Free Guy Writer Means For Mighty Mouse

The Production Team Behind Deadpool Will Reimagine A 1940s Icon

The Mighty Mouse character enjoyed decades of popularity, appearing in dozens of theatrical shorts, a Saturday morning cartoon, and several reimaginings over the years. Despite its cultural legacy, previous attempts to create a modern Mighty Mouse film, including one by the writers behind The Meg and RED, stalled in development. Now, under the guidance of Reynolds and Lieberman, the project has new life.

The collaboration between Reynolds and Lieberman suggests Mighty Mouse will take cues from the pair's successful work on Free Guy, imbuing a sense of humor into an action-adventure. This is not Maximum Effort's first collaboration with Paramount, as the studios have several projects currently in development, including an adaptation of the sci-fi novel Starter Villain by John Scalzi. Paramount’s focus on Mighty Mouse aligns with the industry's current strategy of adapting beloved animated properties, much like their work with the Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy; Disney's live-action The Lion King; or Warner Bros.' Scoob!.

Past iterations of the super-mouse relied heavily on slapstick humor and campy superhero tropes, making Mighty Mouse a natural fit for a modern parody-driven adaptation with a well-known comedy actor such as Reynolds, who excelled as a cocky superhero in the Deadpool franchise. If the actor brings the same energy to the Mighty Mouse movie, audiences could be in for a treat.

Furthermore, Lieberman’s track record with animated projects also positions him well to craft a script that bridges nostalgia with a fresh story. He has previously penned scripts for Scoob! as well as the 2019 animated version of The Addams Family. In the same year that Free Guy was released, Lieberman also wrote the PG monster movie Rumble for Paramount+, showing his continuity with the producer. These experiences will prepare him for success when it comes to the Mighty Mouse adaptation.

Our Take On Reynolds' Mighty Mouse Adaptation

The Comedy Actor’s Track Record Is Promising

Reynolds’ knack for irreverent humor makes him well-suited to bring Mighty Mouse to the big screen. The pint-sized hero’s over-the-top antics and parody roots align well with Reynolds’ track record, while Lieberman’s experience of blending action and quirky humor could bring out the project’s tone. This adaptation of Mighty Mouse has the potential to be a loving homage while poking fun at superhero tropes. The main challenge will be making a character rooted in the 1940s taste resonate with modern audiences. Yet, if anyone can save the day for Mighty Mouse, it’s Reynolds and his team.

Source: Variety