Danny McBride Teases New Direction for ‘G.I. Joe’ Franchise Makeover

Paramount has been working to redefine its ‘G.I. Joe‘ franchise for several years, and the studio’s latest strategy is quite unconventional. Instead of committing to a single vision right away, Paramount spent early 2026 developing competing scripts from two very different writers before choosing a path forward.

Initially, the competition featured Righteous Gemstones creator Danny McBride and Chronicle screenwriter Max Landis, both of whom pitched their unique interpretations of the Hasbro property. Ultimately, reports confirmed that Paramount decided against Landis’ treatment, leaving McBride as the key figure shaping the franchise’s future.

McBride has now provided fans with their clearest insight into what his version of ‘G.I. Joe’ will entail, and it diverges significantly from the straightforward comedy one might expect from his background.

He described his approach as a way to ground the franchise, moving away from comedy towards a tone that leans more into suspense and action, while still ensuring that the final film will be enjoyable.

“Weirdly, it grounds G.I. Joe. It’s not a comedy. It’s like kind of suspense and action. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

This description signifies a significant departure from the tone that longtime fans have come to associate with McBride, who has built his career on broad, over-the-top comedies like ‘Eastbound and Down’ and ‘Vice Principals.’ It also counters some of the skepticism surrounding his hiring, as many initially assumed his involvement would lead to a straightforward parody of the material.

However, McBride’s background suggests he can manage tonal balance beyond pure comedy. He co-wrote the recent ‘Halloween’ trilogy for Blumhouse with David Gordon Green, successfully blending horror and dark humor, even though his later work on ‘The Exorcist, Believer’ did not achieve the same success.

The franchise itself is in dire need of a course correction after a tumultuous theatrical history. Paramount’s first two ‘G.I. Joe’ films, ‘The Rise of Cobra’ and ‘Retaliation,’ grossed approximately 678 million dollars worldwide and featured major stars like Channing Tatum, Bruce Willis, and Dwayne Johnson. However, the 2021 spinoff ‘Snake Eyes’ faltered, earning only 40 million dollars globally despite focusing on one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who has produced every live-action ‘G.I. Joe’ film to date, is expected to return for this new installment, providing continuity even as the creative direction shifts significantly under McBride’s guidance. His involvement also keeps alive the long-rumored crossover between ‘G.I. Joe’ and Paramount’s ‘Transformers’ franchise, an idea producers have discussed as inevitable for years without fully committing to it.

Paramount’s decision to develop two competing scripts before settling on a direction illustrates the immense pressure the studio feels to get this reboot right. The company has been reassessing all of its major franchises since the Skydance merger reshaped its leadership, viewing properties like ‘G.I. Joe,’ ‘Transformers,’ and ‘Star Trek’ as vital components of its future slate.

As of now, no release date, cast, or director has been confirmed for McBride’s version of the film, and plot details remain largely under wraps beyond his brief comments about tone. Given how early this project is in development, fans should anticipate a lengthy wait before any concrete information about the story or casting emerges.

For a franchise that has struggled to find a consistent footing since its 2009 debut, McBride’s grounded, suspense-driven pitch presents a genuinely different creative risk than anything Paramount has attempted with these characters before. Whether this gamble pays off will depend significantly on how the final script translates once filming eventually begins.

Are you looking forward to a more grounded, suspense-driven take on ‘G.I. Joe,’ or were you hoping for something closer to McBride’s comedic roots? Share your thoughts in the comments.