Get Smart: Lead Actor Cast for Reboot of the Cult Comedy
The clumsy agent is back!
"Get Smart" is returning to the big screen. According to Variety magazine, Warner is working on a reboot of the spy comedy – and they've already cast a lead actor. Comedian John Mulaney is set to take on the role of the iconic agent Maxwell Smart.
In addition to his work as a stand-up comedian, Mulaney has also been involved in a number of film projects, including "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" and "Puss in Boots 2". The screenplay for the new "Get Smart" is set to be written by Seth Grahame-Smith, who previously worked on "Now You See Me". A director or information on the release date has not yet been announced.
The series, developed by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry in 1965, ran until 1970 and comprised a total of 138 episodes. It centered on Agent Maxwell Smart, who works for the secret organization Control and fights the criminal organization Kaos. Although Smart considers himself a brilliant secret agent, he gets by mostly through luck rather than outstanding skills. He was supported by Agent 99, played by Barbara Feldon, who was vastly superior to her partner in terms of competence.
A film adaptation followed in 2008, starring Steve Carell in the lead role. Co-starring alongside him were Anne Hathaway as Agent 99, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, and Terence Stamp, among others. The film was directed by Peter Segal. However, the film was not a huge success. With a budget of around 80 million US dollars, it grossed approximately 230 million dollars worldwide.
These movies are perfect for fans of Get Smart
Clumsy secret agents, absurd missions, and plenty of situational comedy: "Get Smart" showed just how well classic espionage can be combined with unrestrained humor. If Maxwell Smart's chaotic missions made you laugh more than the actual danger did, you'll find plenty more to enjoy in other movies. From British spy humor to completely over-the-top action parodies, there are several films that strike a similar tone.
Johnny English: Mr. Bean as a Secret Agent
If you like "Get Smart", you can't really miss "Johnny English". Rowan Atkinson takes on the role of a British secret agent who considers himself the best man in the intelligence service, but who regularly plunges his missions into chaos. Just like Maxwell Smart, Johnny English is convinced of his own abilities, even though his actual track record is rather modest. The mix of physical comedy, absurd gadgets, and classic spy clichés makes the series one of the most obvious recommendations for fans of "Get Smart". A total of three feature films were made, with Atkinson's deadpan humor always taking center stage.
Austin Powers: James Bond Meets Slapstick
"Austin Powers" leans even more heavily toward parody. Mike Myers takes on the role of a British secret agent who is catapulted straight from the Swinging Sixties into the modern world. In the process, the series takes nearly every well-known spy cliché apart. From the megalomaniacal villain to absurd secret weapons, everything is taken to extreme lengths without restraint. At the same time, behind all the slapstick lies a loving homage to classic spy films. Anyone who particularly appreciates the parody of the spy genre in "Get Smart" should definitely check out these three films.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: A Little Less Silly
The 2015 film "The Man from U.N.C.L.E" takes a slightly more stylish approach. Guy Ritchie directs the story of two agents who are forced to work together reluctantly during the Cold War. Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer form an unlikely duo who not only have to contend with international criminals but also constantly have to deal with each other. The film focuses more on action and a cool spy aesthetic, but it has enough humor and quirky situations to appeal to "Get Smart" fans.
Spy: Secret Service with Melissa McCarthy
"Spy" also takes a good-natured jab at the classic spy world. Melissa McCarthy plays a CIA employee who normally sits behind a desk and is suddenly sent into the field herself. The film blends classic espionage with situational comedy, sharp dialogue, and a surprising amount of action. In particular, the idea that an unassuming office worker of all people becomes a secret agent highlights the contrast between what people expect from an agent and their actual capabilities.
OSS 117: France's Answer to James Bond
If you like things a bit more offbeat, you should check out the French "OSS 117" series. Jean Dujardin plays the smug secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, who regularly considers himself irresistible and infallible. The films parody classic spy movies, taking aim not only at their action sequences but also at their machismo and outdated notions. In doing so, they capture precisely the absurd spirit that also makes "Get Smart" a standout example of the spy comedy genre.