We first heard about plans for a live-action movie based on The Maxx back in 2019, but without a single update since, we had assumed the project must have been shelved. However, according to Daniel Richtman, The Maxx is now moving forward at Paramount Pictures with Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street, Magic Mike) still attached to play the lead role.
The original trade report revealed that Tatum and Roy Lee had teamed-up to produce via Free Association, along with principals Reid Carolin and Peter Kiernan, with Lee on board via his Vertigo Entertainment. The Maxx creator/writer Sam Kieth was also set to produce with partner Tal Vigderson.
We assume all parties are still involved, but Richtman claims that Crystal Moselle (The Wolfpack, State Kitchen) is now attached to write and direct.
Providing everything works out, Tatum - who may or may not have a cameo as Gambit in the upcoming Deadpool 3 - will play the Maxx.
First hitting shelves in 1993, the Image Comics series ran for 35 issues before being collected in trade paperback by DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. MTV would later commission a 13-episode animated series, which, while critically-acclaimed, was way too dark and bizarre for mainstream audiences.
The show has since done on to achieve cult status and was given a long-awaited DVD release a few years ago.
The story focuses on the titular masked, purple-skinned hero, who serves as a protector to the Jungle Queen in a mysterious realm known as The Outback. The characters also exist in the "real world," however, where Maxx is a vagrant ("a homeless man in a box") named Dave and his queen is a social worker named Julie Winters, who frequently bails him out of jail.
The villain of the piece is a serial rapist with a telepathic link to Julie named Mr. Gone, who has extensive knowledge of and access to other people's Outbacks. When Maxx attempts to stop him from harassing Julie, Gone enlists the aid of the Outback's main predators, the Isz, to take him out of the picture.
Sound a little strange? You have no idea!
Check out a teaser for the DVD release of the animated series below.
"Confused hulking homeless superhero The Maxx tries to protect his social worker and friend Julie from an omniscient serial killer Mr. Gone both in the real world, which may or may not actually be real, and the subconscious fantasy world."