Adam McKay's unrealized projects
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The following is a list of unproduced Adam McKay projects in roughly chronological order. American filmmaker Adam McKay has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects never went beyond development, were officially canceled, or progressed under a different production team.
1990s
=''August Blowout''=
In 1999, McKay and Will Ferrell wrote the business comedy August Blowout. The premise reportedly was to have seen Ferrell starring as a car salesman desperate to make his sales quota during his dealership's annual August clearance sale.{{cite magazine|author=Variety Staff|url=https://variety.com/1999/voices/columns/ferrell-sets-2-snl-pics-curry-in-favor-at-fox-1117493191/|title=Ferrell sets 2 SNL pics; Curry in favor at Fox|magazine=Variety|date=April 13, 1999|access-date=March 25, 2025}} While the script impressed both Ben Stiller and Paul Thomas Anderson, McKay and Ferrell opted to make Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy instead, but would later produce a similar-plotted comedy, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard.{{cite news|first=Bradford|last=Evans|title=The Lost Projects of Adam McKay|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/03/the-lost-projects-of-adam-mckay.html|date=March 7, 2013|website=Vulture|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
2000s
=''Utopia Road''=
In 2001, McKay co-wrote the screenplay Utopia Road with Jay Roach attached to direct, but it fell through, and Etan Cohen later rewrote. According to Variety, the project was a comedy inspired by Roach's nearby idyllic neighborhood and "pits the neighborhood's most relentless socializer against a privacy-craving newcomer."{{cite magazine|author1=Fleming, Michael|author2=Lyons, Charles|url=https://variety.com/2001/film/news/fox-catches-roach-in-overall-pix-deal-1117795429/|title= lFox catches Roach in overall pix deal|magazine=Variety|date=March 15, 2001|access-date=March 25, 2025}}
=''Land of the Lost'' film=
{{main article|Land of the Lost (film)}}
In 2005, McKay was set to write, direct and produce a film adaptation of the television series Land of the Lost with Will Ferrell and Jack Black set to star, but Brad Silberling ended up directing the film without Black.
=''CEO''=
In 2005, McKay was set to direct the comedy CEO from a screenplay by Ian Roberts and Jay Martel, but made Step Brothers instead.
=''Channel 3 Billion''=
In 2008, McKay was set to direct and produce a sci-fi comedy film similar to Brazil entitled Channel 3 Billion, which he co-wrote with Dennis McNichols around the time The Other Guys started filming, but there has been no word about the film since.
2010s
=''The Boys'' movie=
{{main article|The Boys (comics)#Scrapped film}}
=Untitled Lee Atwater biopic=
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=''3 Mississippi''=
In 2011, McKay was in talks to direct the Thanksgiving comedy film 3 Mississippi, with Robert Carlock and Scott Silveri writing the script and Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, and Jeremy Renner cast in the film for Warner Bros. But on April 11, 2012, Sean Anders was hired to direct the film instead as McKay was going to start Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.{{cite news|first=Borys|last=Kit|title=Will Ferrell-Mark Wahlberg Football Comedy Lands Writer-Director Team (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/will-ferrell-mark-wahlberg-3-mississippi-311094/|date=April 11, 2012|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Swear to God''=
On June 29, 2011, McKay was attached to produce and direct the remake of Swear to God with Will Ferrell attached to star in after Warner Bros. bought Alan Cohen and Alan Freedland’s screenplay.{{cite news|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|title=Warner Bros Buys 'Swear To God' By 'Due Date' Scribes For Will Ferrell And Adam McKay|url=https://deadline.com/2011/06/warner-bros-buys-swear-to-god-by-due-date-scribes-for-will-ferrell-and-adam-mckay-144198/|date=June 29, 2011|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}} On August 10, 2012, Justin Theroux was hired to direct the movie instead of McKay.{{cite news|first=Adam|last=Chitwood|title=Justin Theroux to Direct Will Ferrell and Steve Carell in SWEAR TO GOD|url=https://collider.com/justin-theroux-swear-to-god-steve-carell/|date=August 10, 2012|website=Collider|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Uptown Saturday Night'' remake=
On April 26, 2012, McKay was set to direct the remake of Uptown Saturday Night with Will Smith and Denzel Washington possibly attached to star.{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Wallenstein|title=Adam McKay Signing On To Direct 'Uptown Saturday Night' Remake, Will Smith, Denzel Washington Eyed To Star|url=https://deadline.com/2012/04/adam-mckay-signing-on-to-direct-uptown-saturday-night-remake-will-smith-denzel-washington-eyed-to-star-262748/|date=January 4, 2012|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}} On November 25, 2013, Nicholas Stoller was hired to write the screenplay for McKay’s remake, and Smith and Washington were set to star when their schedules line up.{{cite news|first=Justin|last=Kroll|title=Nicholas Stoller to Rewrite 'Uptown Saturday Night' for Warners (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/nicholas-stoller-uptown-saturday-night-warners-1200883904/|date=November 25, 2013|website=Variety|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=Untitled Wall Street comedy series=
On May 14, 2012, Deadline Hollywood announced that HBO was developing single-camera comedy series written by McKay and Chris Henchy, and planned to star Rob Riggle. Set in the world of bond traders in 1980s Wall Street, the series was to have reportedly followed "a successful, hard-living boss who lives a dark, self-centered, unhealthy life." The project was to have been executive produced by McKay and Henchy alongside Will Ferrell through Gary Sanchez Productions, as well as Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Peter Principato and Paul Young.{{cite news|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|title=HBO To Develop 1980s Wall Street Comedy Starring Rob Riggle With Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg And Chris Henchy|url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/hbo-to-develop-1980s-wall-street-comedy-starring-rob-riggle-with-adam-mckay-will-ferrell-mark-wahlberg-and-chris-henchy-271621/ |date=May 14, 2012|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Border Guards''=
On April 15, 2014, McKay was eyeing to direct the comedy movie Border Guards for Columbia Pictures.{{cite news|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|title=Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly Re-Team with Adam McKay on Sony's 'Border Guards'|url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/will-ferrell-john-c-reilly-adam-mckay-border-guards-715236/|date=April 15, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=Untitled Seth Rogen/Ben Schwartz comedy film=
On September 18, 2014, it was reported that McKay would team with Ben Schwartz and Seth Rogen to direct them in an untitled comedy written by Schwartz. Gary Sanchez Productions, Point Grey Pictures and Good Universe preemptively purchased Schwartz's pitch. While the involved parties all seemed enthusiastic about the collaboration at the time,{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/seth-rogen-and-adam-mckay-team-on-ben-schwartz-comedy-1201308444/|title=Seth Rogen and Adam McKay Team on Ben Schwartz Comedy|website=Variety|date=September 18, 2014|access-date=March 24, 2025}} the proposed film never went beyond the planning stage.
=''Archie'' stage musical=
On August 5, 2015, McKay was set to write the Broadway musical based on Archie as a collaboration between Funny or Die and Archie Comics.{{cite news|first=Jeremy|last=Gerard|title=Archie & Jughead Stake Out Broadway Field Trip In Funny Or Die Deal|url=https://deadline.com/2015/08/archie-musical-broadway-funny-or-die-1201492180/|date=August 5, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Irredeemable'' film=
On May 5, 2016, McKay was set to direct and produce a film adaptation of Mark Waid’s comic book series Irredeemable, with Tommy Wirkola writing the screenplay, Boom Studios Ross Richie, Stephen Christy and Adam Yoelin producing and 20th Century Fox distributing.{{cite news|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|title=20th Century Fox Taps BOOM! Superhero Tale 'Irredeemable,' Adam McKay Helms, Tommy Wirkola Scripting|url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/irredeemable-movie-adam-mckay-tommy-wirkola-boom-studios-fox-1201749508/|date=May 5, 2016|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}} But, on March 17, 2022, Netflix and Boom Studios were set to adapt Irredeemable and Incorruptible into a single film with Jeymes Samuel set to direct and produce and Kemp Powers writing the screenplay, without McKay's involvement.{{cite news|first=Borys|last=Kit|title='Harder They Fall' Filmmaker Jeymes Samuel Tackling Boom! Comic Books 'Irredeemable,' 'Incorruptible' for Netflix (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/boom-irredeemable-incorruptible-movie-1235113789/|date=March 17, 2022|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Bad Blood'' biopic=
{{Main|Elizabeth Holmes#In the media}}
=Untitled Jeffrey Epstein limited series=
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2020s
=''The Uninhabitable Earth'' TV series=
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On January 15, 2020,{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/hbo-max-greenlights-adam-mckay-the-uninhabitable-earth-climate-change-anthology-series-1202831249/|title=HBO Max Greenlights Adam McKay's 'The Uninhabitable Earth' Climate Change Anthology Series – TCA|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 15, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2025}}
=''Kings of America'' TV series=
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On August 4, 2020,{{cite web|last=White|first=Peter|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/amy-adams-adam-mckay-limited-walmart-drama-kings-of-america-netflix-1203003289/|title=Amy Adams & Adam McKay Reunite For Walmart Limited Series 'Kings Of America' At Netflix|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 4, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2025}}
=''Average Height, Average Build''=
On April 30, 2023, McKay was set to write, direct, and produce Average Height, Average Build with Robert Pattinson, Amy Adams, Robert Downey Jr., Forest Whitaker, and Danielle Deadwyler set to star and Netflix distributing.{{cite news|first=Borys|last=Kit|title=Netflix Lands Adam McKay's New Comedy 'Average Height, Average Build' Starring Robert Pattinson, Amy Adams, Robert Downey Jr., Forest Whitaker And Danielle Deadwyler|url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/netflix-adam-mckays-average-height-average-build-1235351284/|date=April 30, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}} On December 4, 2023, McKay decided to scrap this movie for a climate change movie for Netflix.{{cite news|first=Justin|last=Kroll|title=Adam McKay Eyes Climate Change Project For His Next Directing Job|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/adam-mckay-new-climate-change-project-1235650934/|date=December 4, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=Untitled climate change film=
Producer only
=HBO ''I Don’t Care About Your Band'' TV series=
On July 29, 2010, McKay was set to produce the television adaptation of Julie Klausner’s memoir I Don’t Care About Your Band for HBO with Jessica Elbaum set as the show creator and Lizzy Caplan set to portray Klausner.{{cite news|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|title=HBO Develops 'Band' Comedy With Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Lizzy Caplan|url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/hbo-develops-band-comedy-with-will-ferrell-adam-mckay-and-lizzy-caplan-58055/|date=July 29, 2010|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Wheels''=
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On December 7, 2010,{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/will-ferrell-adam-mckay-produce-columbias-wheels-23073/|title=Will Ferrell & Adam McKay to Produce Columbia's 'Wheels'}}
=''The Social Life''=
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On December 15, 2011,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/12/fox-2000-in-talks-with-funny-or-dies-jake-szymanski-for-hes-fuckin-perfect-205843/|title=Fox 2000 In Talks With 'Funny Or Die's Jake Szymanski For 'He's Fuckin' Perfect'}} On April 17, 2014,{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/sony-buys-lauryn-kahn-spec-im-in-love-with-the-dj-for-gary-sanchez-716141/ |title=Sony Buys Lauryn Kahn Spec 'I'm In Love With The DJ' For Gary Sanchez |website=Deadline Hollywood |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |date=April 17, 2014 |accessdate=March 29, 2018}}
=''King Dork''=
=''Crazy U''=
=Untitled Adam Pally And Gil Ozeri film=
{{Expand section|date=March 2025}}
=Untitled threesome comedy film=
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On October 5, 2012,{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2012/10/universal-acquires-threesome-pitch-for-will-ferrell-and-adam-mckays-gary-sanchez/|title=Universal Acquires Threesome Pitch For Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez|website=Deadline New York|date=October 5, 2012|access-date=March 24, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208060925/https://deadline.com/2012/10/universal-acquires-threesome-pitch-for-will-ferrell-and-adam-mckays-gary-sanchez/|archive-date=December 8, 2012|url-status=dead}}
=''Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters'' sequel=
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=''Devil's Night''=
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On October 11, 2013,{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|url=https://www.thewrap.com/step-brothers-will-ferrell-john-c-reilly-reteam-comedy-devils-night/|title='Step Brothers' Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly to Reteam on Comedy 'Devil's Night'|website=TheWrap|date=October 11, 2013|access-date=March 24, 2025}}
=Untitled June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson film=
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=''Match Maker''=
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=''The Yank''=
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On April 28, 2014,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/tristar-wins-will-ferrell-comic-pitch-the-yank-720895/|title=TriStar Wins Will Ferrell Comic Pitch 'The Yank'}}
=''Manimal'' animated film=
On July 22, 2014, McKay was attached to produce the animated movie adaptation of the TV series Manimal through Sony Pictures Animation.{{cite news|first=Jen|last=Yamato|title='Manimal' To Roar With Will Ferrell, Adam McKay & Jimmy Miller|url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/manimal-movie-will-ferrell-adam-mckay-jimmy-miller-sony-808018/|date=July 22, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Plus One''=
=Untitled escape convict film=
=''Operation Prince of Freedom''=
{{Expand section|date=March 2025}}
=Untitled wrestling comedy film=
=''The Collector'' TV series=
On May 5, 2017, McKay was set to produce Mark Cullen’s gambling addiction drama TV series The Collector for TNT.{{cite news|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|title=TNT Buys Gambling Addiction Drama From Mark Cullen & Gary Sanchez Prods.|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/tnt-gambling-addiction-drama-produced-adam-mckay-mark-cullen-1202085021/|date=May 5, 2017|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''The 100 Year-Old Man''=
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On August 21, 2017,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/will-ferrell-the-100-year-old-man-1202537313/|title=Will Ferrell to Star in 'The 100 Year-Old Man'}}
=''Things You Should Already Know'' TV series=
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=''First Ladies''=
=''Intruders''=
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=''American Huckster''=
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=''Nice White Parents'' TV series=
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=''Cutblock'' TV series=
On December 18, 2020, McKay was set to produce the limited series Cutblock for HBO through Hyperobjects Industries.{{cite news|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|title=HBO Sets 'Cutblock' Limited Series In Development With Andrew Cividino & Trey Edward Shults, Adam McKay's Hyperobject Industries EP|url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/hbo-cutblock-limited-series-andrew-cividino-trey-edward-shults-adam-mckay-hyperobject-industries-1234659152/|date=December 18, 2020|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 30, 2023}}
=''Sugar'' TV series=
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=Untitled COVID vaccine drama series=
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=''J6''=
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=''Big Swiss'' TV series=
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=''Breeders''=
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=''Disorientation''=
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On September 27, 2022,{{cite web|first=Manori|last=Ravindran|title=Malala Teams With 'Don't Look Up' Director Adam McKay for 'Disorientation' Adaptation, Unveils First Slate (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/malala-apple-slate-film-tv-extracurricular-1235384724/|date=September 27, 2022|website=Variety|access-date=February 25, 2024}}
=''The Freshening''=
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=''Flesh of the Gods''=
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=''Monsanto''=
=''The Chair Company''=
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On September 14, 2024,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/tim-robinson-comedy-chair-company-series-hbo-1236142343/|title=Tim Robinson Comedy 'Chair Company' Picked Up to Series at HBO}}
=''Five''=
{{Expand section|date=March 2025}}
On October 1, 2024,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/we-live-in-time-john-crowley-1236018338/|title='We Live in Time' Filmmaker John Crowley to Direct Psychological Thriller 'Five' for TriStar (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter }}
References
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