Paramount Pictures is getting serious about getting G.I. Joe back on the big screen. As further evidence of that, they’ve officially hired a director to helm a new movie based on the iconic Hasbro franchise. And it’s an unexpected name at that. 

 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Danny McBride (Pineapple Express, The Righteous Gemstones) has been tapped to direct the new G.I. Joe movie. It had previously been revealed that McBride had worked on the script for the movie. Now though, it’s set to become his feature directorial debut. Specific plot details remain under wraps but it’s been confirmed that it won’t be the planned Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover movie. 

 

McBride is known best as a comedic actor but has a lot of experience behind the camera as well. He co-wrote the most recent Halloween trilogy, as well as movies like Your Highness. He also wrote and helped create shows like Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals. As a director, he’s helmed episodes of The Righteous Gemstones and Vice Principals. 

 

Paramount has been discussing a new G.I. Joe movie for some time. The studio has produced three live-action takes on the heroes previously. 2009’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, 2013’s, G.I. Joe: Retaliation and 2021’s Snake Eyes. The first two movies were reasonably successful at the box office, but Snake Eyes proved to be a massive bomb. The series has been in need of a creative reset ever since. 

 

It had previously been reported that Chris Hemsworth (Thor) was in talks to star in the G.I. Joe/Transformers movie. That was some time ago though and more recent reports indicate that he’s moved on to other projects. It’s currently unclear who McBride or the studio have eyes on in terms of casting. 

 

Meanwhile, Paramount is also working on a new Transformers movie, which remains equally mysterious. On the small screen, a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover animated series is currently in the works. What’s clear is that the studio sees both of these franchises as major priorities moving forward, despite both of them struggling at the box office in recent years. 

 

“It’s not a comedy, it’s like kind of suspense and action. It’s gonna be a lot of fun,” McBride previously said of his script for the movie. “There’s that town in the comic, Springfield, which is a town that’s secretly all COBRA…that is where our film takes place.”  

 

The new G.I. Joe movie doesn’t have a release date but stay tuned. 

 

What do you think? Are you excited for the movie? Do you like the directing choice? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!