Career Timeline of Max Landis: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 27, 2026

How Max Landis built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Max Landis is an American filmmaker known for his screenwriting work on films like Chronicle, American Ultra, Victor Frankenstein, and Bright. He also wrote and directed Me Him Her. Landis created the TV series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency for BBC America and produced the first two seasons of Channel Zero on Syfy. Additionally, he has written limited series for DC and Image Comics, showcasing his diverse involvement in film, television, and comic book writing.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2000: Appearance in Blues Brothers 2000

In 2000, Max Landis appeared in his father's film, Blues Brothers 2000, marking one of his early brief appearances in films.

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2008: Wrote unaired episode for Fear Itself

In 2008, Max Landis independently wrote an unaired episode for the series Fear Itself, and also wrote Back to Mysterious Island for Bluewater Comics, based on the Jules Verne novel.

2011: Hired as screenwriter for Mr. Right

In 2011, Max Landis was hired as screenwriter for the movie Mr. Right, which was released in 2015.

February 2012: Chronicle released

In February 2012, Chronicle, a script by Max Landis, was released to critical acclaim and commercial success after being directed by Josh Trank.

September 2012: Vigilant TV series sold to Fox

In September 2012, Max Landis sold a TV series called Vigilant to Fox, planning to executive produce it with Howard Gordon, but the project was later cancelled.

2012: The Death and Return of Superman released

In 2012, Max Landis released The Death and Return of Superman on YouTube, a short comedic feature mockingly retelling DC Comics' storyline.

2012: Chronicle script released

In 2012, Max Landis wrote the script for the film Chronicle, contributing to his early career success.

February 2015: Directed Ariana Grande's music video

In February 2015, Max Landis directed Ariana Grande's music video "One Last Time", which was later accused of plagiarizing another music video.

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2015: Wrestling Isn't Wrestling released

In 2015, Max Landis released Wrestling Isn't Wrestling on YouTube, a comedic feature explaining professional wrestling using Triple H's career.

2015: American Ultra and Victor Frankenstein released

In 2015, Max Landis wrote scripts for the films American Ultra and Victor Frankenstein, marking further milestones in his screenwriting career.

2016: Channel Zero and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

In 2016, Max Landis produced the first two seasons of the Syfy series Channel Zero and created the series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency for BBC America.

2016: Netflix began production on Bright

In 2016, Netflix began production on Bright, a film based on Landis's script, which was noted as their most expensive self-produced film at the time.

September 2017: Published "A Scar No One Else Can See"

In September 2017, Max Landis published "A Scar No One Else Can See", a website containing a theory on Carly Rae Jepsen's songs, which was described by some as a conspiracy theory.