Michael Shanks & Adam McKay Team Up for Mystery Sci-Fi Comedy

Michael Shanks, known for directing the 2025 horror film 'Together,' is teaming up with Adam McKay, recognized for his work on 'Vice' and 'Don't Look Up'. Sony Pictures has acquired an untitled sci-fi comedy project written by Shanks and directed by McKay. McKay will produce the feature with Todd Schulman through Hyperobject Industries. Andrew Mittman of 1.21 Pictures will also produce, with Kai Dolbashian as executive producer, replicating their roles in 'Together'.

Details of the project are being kept under wraps, but it is described as a promising sci-fi comedy. This project marks a new collaboration between Shanks, McKay, and Schulman, who have previously worked together on other film projects.

Shanks made his directorial debut with 'Together,' starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film sparked an intense bidding war, with Neon ultimately acquiring it for $17 million. This previous success sets a precedent for the new Shanks and McKay project, generating high expectations among critics and audiences.

His next film is 'Hotel, Hotel, Hotel, Hotel,' a sci-fi thriller for A24, whose script was included in the 2021 Black List. This project marks the director's first collaboration with McKay and Schulman.

Adam McKay has directed films ranging from comedy ('Anchorman') to political drama ('Vice'), as well as episodes of series like 'Succession'. His most recent film, 'Don't Look Up' (2021), was a success on Netflix with an all-star cast. McKay's versatility in directing and producing suggests a combination of talents that could result in an innovative and engaging sci-fi comedy.

Hyperobject Industries, McKay's production company, has several projects in development, including a miniseries about Jeffrey Epstein based on the book 'Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story'.

The collaboration between Michael Shanks and Adam McKay, along with the involvement of producers like Andrew Mittman, indicates a project with high potential. The combination of Shanks' creative vision and McKay's experience in directing successful projects bodes well for this sci-fi comedy. Sony Pictures' involvement in the production also suggests significant backing for the project.

Shanks is represented by WME and Untitled, while McKay is represented by CAA and Johnson Shapiro.

With the combination of talent behind the scenes and the premise of a sci-fi comedy, this project generates great anticipation. Shanks' previous experience in the horror genre and McKay's versatility in different genres suggest a creative and entertaining narrative. Sony Pictures' involvement ensures large-scale distribution and promotion, which could turn this film into a box office success.

The anticipation for the film increases as more details about the project are revealed, solidifying its position as one of the most anticipated in the film industry.