Bradley Cooper Cast as Duke in Danny McBride's Paramount G.I. Joe Reboot

Key points

• Bradley Cooper will play Duke, the leader of the G.I. Joe team, in a new Paramount Pictures film.
• Danny McBride is directing the project, marking his first major action tentpole effort.
• The film is a reimagining of the Hasbro toy line and is not connected to previous live-action movies or the Transformers franchise.
• McBride is co-writing the screenplay with Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri.
• Production is expected to begin next year, with filming potentially starting in 2027.

Background

Paramount Pictures has been ramping up development of major IP under new ownership, including projects like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek. The G.I. Joe franchise previously saw live-action films in 2009 and 2013, starring Channing Tatum as Duke. A crossover with Transformers was teased in 2023 but has since been dropped.

How outlets are covering it

Variety, Deadline, USA Today, and The Hollywood Reporter all confirm the casting of Bradley Cooper as Duke and Danny McBride as director. Deadline provides additional detail on the negotiation process, noting that Cooper was McBride's top choice and that he committed after reading the script and meeting with the director. USA Today highlights the historical context of the G.I. Joe franchise, including the 1980s cartoon and comic books, and mentions that McBride discussed the plot on a podcast in July. The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes the significance of securing Cooper as the lead for an ensemble cast, signaling that the project may be a priority for Paramount.

Why it matters

The casting of Bradley Cooper as Duke in a G.I. Joe reboot signals a major push by Paramount Pictures to revitalize its IP portfolio. The film's standalone nature and uncoupling from the Transformers franchise indicate a fresh take on the Hasbro property, potentially attracting a new audience. Danny McBride's involvement as director and co-writer adds a unique creative vision to the project, which could differentiate it from previous live-action adaptations.

What to watch

Paramount Pictures and Hasbro Entertainment are expected to announce further casting details and plot specifics in the coming months. Production is anticipated to begin next year, with filming potentially starting in 2027. The film's release date has not yet been announced.