Full Breakdown
Danny McBride to Direct and Write New G.I. Joe Film for Paramount
7/16/2026, 12:05:50 AM
Core Event
Danny McBride, the Emmy-winning actor-writer behind HBO’s *The Righteous Gemstones*, has been confirmed as both writer and director of an untitled live-action *G.I. Joe* feature for Paramount Pictures. The project marks McBride’s first feature-film directing credit and is being positioned as a high-priority IP for the studio under its new ownership.
Background & Context
Paramount’s earlier *G.I. Joe* outings—*The Rise of Cobra* (2009), *Retaliation* (2013) and the *Snake Eyes* spin-off (2021)—have delivered mixed commercial and critical results. *The Rise of Cobra* earned $302 million worldwide against a $175 million budget, while *Retaliation* grossed $376 million. The 2021 *Snake Eyes* reboot flopped, bringing in only $40 million and prompting a hiatus for the franchise. Since acquiring Paramount, David Ellison has emphasized revitalizing legacy brands such as *G.I. Joe*, *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* and *Star Trek*.
Key Figures & Groups
- Danny McBride – Actor, writer, and now feature-film director; represented by Range Media Partners.
- Paramount Pictures – Studio financing and distributing the film; prioritizing the reboot.
- Hasbro – Owner of the original 1960s toy line that inspired the franchise.
- Jeff Fradley & John Carcieri – Longtime collaborators with McBride, co-writers on the script.
- Bradley Cooper – Reported by multiple outlets as a potential replacement for Chris Hemsworth, who exited the project for undisclosed reasons.
Data & Statistics
Across three prior films, the *G.I. Joe* franchise has generated roughly $718 million worldwide against an estimated combined production budget of $415 million. The 2021 *Snake Eyes* entry recorded the lowest box-office performance, underscoring the studio’s incentive to reset the series.
Why It Matters
Paramount views the reboot as a cornerstone for its renewed focus on legacy franchises. McBride’s personal enthusiasm for the 1980s comics and cartoons suggests a shift toward a narrative grounded in source material rather than the globe-hopping spectacle of earlier movies. Successful execution could restore confidence in the brand and open pathways for future cross-media projects.
Official Statements & Responses
McBride has repeatedly emphasized that his script departs from comedy, aiming for “suspense and action” while staying faithful to the comics. He described the story as following Duke and a group of Joes in the fictional town of Springfield, a community covertly run by Cobra. Paramount executives have reportedly “been fired up” about the script, leading the studio to select McBride’s version over a competing draft by Max Landis. The studio has kept plot specifics under wraps but confirmed that production is targeted for 2027.
Criticism & Opposition
Industry observers note that earlier installments received low Rotten Tomatoes scores (33 % for *The Rise of Cobra* and 29 % for *Retaliation*) and that fans remain skeptical after the recent box-office failure of *Snake Eyes*. Some critics argue that the franchise has struggled to balance its cartoon roots with modern cinematic expectations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Casting remains unverified: while some reports claim Bradley Cooper is being considered to replace Chris Hemsworth, no official announcement has been made. Production timelines are based on McBride’s statements that filming could begin in 2027, with release dates projected for 2028-2029, but Paramount has not set a definitive release window.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was definitely the cartoons and the comics. G.I. Joe was my thing when I was a kid. I liked that more than Star Wars, more than anything. I loved G.I. Joe. I still have all the characters. I tried to give my G.I. Joe collection to my son, and he wasn't interested. You know who's interested? My daughter, who likes robots. That's who, that's who plays with Gung-Ho and Snake Eyes in the shower.” — Danny McBride, Happy Sad Confused podcast
- “You’re following Duke and a group of other Joes. There’s that town in the comics, Springfield, which is a town that’s secretly all Cobra. That is where our film takes place. We have some pretty interesting people lining up to be in it, too. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but it looks like it’s going to be pretty fun.” — Danny McBride, Happy Sad Confused podcast
- “Weirdly, it grounds G.I. Joe; it’s not a comedy. It’s kind of suspense and action, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” — Danny McBride, Happy Sad Confused podcast
- “I’m stoked about it. I’m really fired up about the script. Paramount seems fired up about it, so hopefully we’re shooting it next year,” — Danny McBride, interview excerpt
- “We have some pretty interesting people lining up to be in it, too. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but it looks like it's going to be pretty fun.” — Danny McBride, podcast interview
What’s Next
McBride’s script is completed, and Paramount has confirmed a 2027 filming window. Casting discussions are ongoing, with Bradley Cooper cited as a possible lead. No official release date has been announced, but industry projections place the theatrical debut in 2028 or 2029, contingent on production progress.
