Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh are set to star in Mayday, an action-adventure film currently in development at Apple Original Films and Skydance. Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the project marks a high-profile collaboration between the two lead actors, according to reporting by Variety.
Production and Creative Team
The film is written and directed by the duo of Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who previously directed Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The project is being produced through a partnership between Apple Original Films and Skydance. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger are serving as producers for Skydance, alongside Reynolds, who is producing through his Maximum Effort banner. Carin Sage is also producing, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Expanding the Cast
Beyond Reynolds and Branagh, the film features a growing ensemble. Maria Bakalova, known for her role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, has joined the cast, as reported by Deadline. The production also includes Marcin Dorocinski, who appeared in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. While plot details remain largely under wraps, the industry trade press describes the project as a big-budget action-comedy.
Industry Context and Streaming Strategy
Mayday represents the latest effort by Apple Original Films to secure star-driven, high-concept theatrical and streaming content. By partnering with Skydance, Apple continues its trend of backing large-scale features following previous collaborations like The Family Plan and Ghosted.
This project aligns with a broader industry shift toward "tentpole" action comedies that rely on significant onscreen chemistry between established stars. Kenneth Branagh, typically associated with his Poirot franchise and Shakespearean adaptations, is diversifying his portfolio with this turn into pure action-comedy. Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds continues to leverage his Maximum Effort production company to maintain a consistent output of high-profile, comedic action films.
Project Timeline
As of early 2024, the film was in active development. While the studio has not yet announced an official release date, the involvement of major talent and a established production house suggests a prioritized position on Apple’s slate. Production schedules are subject to change, but the core creative team of Goldstein and Daley remains attached to helm the project.
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