In an exciting development for fans of the long-running franchise, actor-writer Danny McBride has provided a substantial update on Paramount Pictures’ new G.I. Joe movie, signaling that production could begin as early as next year. McBride, best known for his work on The Righteous Gemstones and Eastbound & Down, shared the details during a recent appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast.
McBride, a self-proclaimed lifelong enthusiast of the G.I. Joe comics, cartoons, and toys, initially approached the studio with an idea centered on the Dreadnoks—the ragtag, Mad Max-esque mercenaries often allied with Cobra. However, Paramount expressed interest in a full franchise reboot, leading McBride to craft a screenplay alongside his Righteous Gemstones collaborators Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri.
The project marks a fresh take on the iconic military sci-fi property, following the 2009 and 2013 films starring Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson, and the 2021 spin-off Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. McBride emphasized that his script steers clear of comedy, instead embracing a grounded tone focused on suspense and action. “It grounds G.I. Joe,” he noted, describing it as an ensemble piece that will deliver plenty of excitement.
Central to the story is Duke, the steadfast G.I. Joe leader, accompanied by a team of fellow operatives. The narrative unfolds primarily in Springfield, a seemingly ordinary American town that, in the rich lore of Larry Hama’s Marvel Comics, serves as a covert stronghold for Cobra. Residents of the down-on-its-luck community are loyal to the terrorist organization, with the town functioning as its U.S. headquarters—complete with Cobra Commander ties dating back to its founding.
This setting draws directly from classic G.I. Joe continuity, including the comics and the animated series episode “There’s No Place Like Springfield,” where the town plays a pivotal role in psychological intrigue and infiltration plots. McBride’s approach promises to weave in deep-cut elements that longtime fans will appreciate while delivering an accessible, high-stakes thriller.
“We’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, and so that is where our film takes place,” McBride explained. He expressed enthusiasm about the project’s momentum, noting that Paramount is “fired up” and that preliminary casting discussions are underway. “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.”
The McBride script emerged amid earlier reports of multiple G.I. Joe projects in development, including a treatment from Max Landis that Paramount ultimately passed on for creative reasons. McBride’s version has emerged as the studio’s primary focus for rebooting the franchise.
With no official cast, director, or release date announced yet, the potential 2027 start to filming positions the film as a potential tentpole for Paramount. If the project maintains its current trajectory, it could revitalize the G.I. Joe brand with a blend of nostalgia, intricate world-building, and modern action filmmaking—qualities that have defined successful reboots of other ’80s properties.
Fans of the original lore, particularly Hama’s comics, have reason for optimism. McBride’s passion for the source material, combined with the studio’s support, suggests this iteration could finally capture the spirit of the beloved franchise on the big screen. As McBride put it, he’s “stoked” about the script—and audiences may soon share that excitement.
Yo Joe!
