Overview
- Multiple trade outlets reported Wednesday that Danny McBride, who wrote the screenplay, has been elevated to director on the untitled G.I. Joe film, marking his feature directorial debut after TV work.
- McBride says the script centers on the character Duke and adapts the comics' Springfield storyline, which places the Joes inside a town secretly controlled by Cobra, and he describes the film as grounded suspense-action rather than broad comedy.
- Reports say Chris Hemsworth has exited the project for undisclosed reasons and that Bradley Cooper is a reported frontrunner to replace him, but no casting has been confirmed by the studio.
- McBride has told interviewers the script is finished and that the team is aiming to begin shooting next year, though Paramount has not announced a production start date or release window.
- The move reflects Paramount CEO David Ellison's push to revive major IP at the studio with multiple development tracks for G.I. Joe, including abandoning an earlier Max Landis draft as the company refocuses the franchise.