Paramount Drops ‘Ferris Bueller’ Spin-Off Amid Studio Shake-Up
Plans for a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off spin-off have been shelved by Paramount, with several other projects also axed following the studio’s merger with Skydance Media.
Paramount has decided to pull the plug on its previously announced spin-off to the classic 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The project, which had been given the go-ahead earlier in 2024, was set to be directed by David Katzenberg and carried the working title Sam and Victor’s Day Off. The story would have unfolded over a single day, following the escapades of Sam and Victor as they took Cameron Frye’s iconic Ferrari for a joyride—Cameron, of course, being memorably portrayed by Alan Ruck in the original.
However, the studio has now opted not to proceed with the film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Victor and Sam’s Day Off will no longer be going ahead at Paramount.
This decision comes in the wake of the merger between Paramount and Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, which was finalised this summer. The shake-up has prompted a review of the studio’s slate, resulting in several projects being dropped.
Other Projects Face the Chop
Sam and Victor’s Day Off is not the only casualty of the new regime. Another film, Winter Games, which was to feature Miles Teller—currently appearing in Eternity—has also been abandoned. The changes have extended to a planned science fiction blockbuster about Area 51, which was to be directed by Colin Trevorrow, best known for his work on the Jurassic World franchise. Ryan Reynolds had been attached as a producer, but this project, too, has been set aside.
The recent cull of projects follows a period of significant transition for the studio. The merger with Skydance has brought about a shift in priorities, with the new leadership reassessing which films will move forward. The fate of these shelved productions reflects a broader trend of consolidation and strategic realignment within the industry.
Rush Hour 4 and Controversial Returns
While some films have been scrapped, others have been given the green light. Notably, plans for a fourth instalment in the Rush Hour series have reportedly been approved, allegedly after pressure from President Donald Trump, who played a role in signing off on the Paramount-Skydance merger. The original director, Brett Ratner, is said to be returning to the franchise, despite having faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and a lengthy absence from Hollywood.
Ratner is currently working on a documentary about Melania Trump for Amazon MGM Studios, owned by Jeff Bezos. The documentary is scheduled for release in cinemas on 30 January 2026, marking Ratner’s first major project in some time.