G.I. Joe Movie Reboot
Bradley Cooper to Star as Duke in Paramount's New G.I. Joe Reboot
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Key Points
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The reported story follows Duke and a squad of Joes operating in Springfield, a seemingly ordinary town secretly controlled by Cobra in the comics.
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Production is expected to begin in early 2027, with a summer 2028 target mentioned; the schedule is tied to Cooper finishing Warner Bros.’ Ocean’s prequel.
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The producers include franchise veterans Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian, alongside Zev Foreman of Hasbro Entertainment.
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Cooper reportedly nearly passed on the role because of a scheduling conflict with the Ocean’s prequel, but agreed after reading McBride’s script and meeting with him.
Bradley Cooper will lead Paramount's new G.I. Joe reboot as Duke, the field commander of the elite military team. Flickering Myth reports that Danny McBride, creator of The Righteous Gemstones, will direct and co-write the screenplay with Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri. This marks a fresh start for the franchise rather than a continuation of earlier G.I. Joe films, with Paramount officially dropping a previously planned Transformers crossover.
Cooper nearly turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts with Warner Bros.' Ocean's Eleven prequel, but agreed after reading McBride's script and meeting with him. IBTimes reports production is expected to begin in early 2027, with a summer 2028 release targeted. Franchise veterans Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing alongside Zev Foreman of Hasbro Entertainment.
McBride's Vision Takes the Story to Springfield
McBride has revealed the film's core setting: Springfield, a town that appears ordinary but is secretly controlled entirely by Cobra in the comics. "You're following Duke and a group of other Joes," McBride explained, per Comics Beat. "There's that town in the comics, Springfield, which is a town that's secretly all Cobra. That is where our film takes place." The director added, "It looks like it's going to be pretty fun."
Paramount Abandons the Hasbro Cinematic Universe
Paramount is deliberately stepping away from its 2023 plan to build a shared Hasbro cinematic universe. After the end-credits scene in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts teased a G.I. Joe crossover, the studio has now officially uncoupled the two franchises. The decision signals Paramount's preference for a grounded, standalone story over interconnected blockbusters. This represents a major shift from the studio's earlier attempts to build a sustainable franchise with three G.I. Joe releases between 2009 and 2021.
A Fresh Start After Years of Franchise Struggles
Paramount's latest G.I. Joe attempt follows three previous films with mixed results. The 2009 Rise of Cobra earned $302 million worldwide on a $175 million budget. Its 2013 sequel Retaliation grossed $376 million globally. However, 2021's Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins disappointed with only $40 million in worldwide box office revenue on an $88 million budget, forcing the franchise into dormancy. IBTimes notes that recruiting Cooper—an Oscar-nominated actor—represents a significant upgrade in star power and credibility.
McBride's transition from comedy to grounded action mirrors his work writing the recent Halloween trilogy. Industry analysts view this as a sign Paramount is prioritizing storytelling and tension over spectacle. Cooper's involvement is expected to attract additional high-profile talent to play other members of the Joe squad and Cobra villains in coming months.
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