Danny McBride finishes G.I. Joe script for Paramount by April 2026

Paramount is changing its strategy for G.I. Joe. Writer Danny McBride confirmed his new script is a serious action movie, not a comedy like his past work.
By Newsroom | Entertainment, Film Industry |

Actor and writer Danny McBride has officially confirmed that his upcoming G.I. Joe film for Paramount Pictures is currently scripted and strictly adheres to a serious, non-comedic tone. Targeted for a potential 2027 production start, the project represents a significant tonal shift for the writer, who is predominantly recognized for satirical television works like The Righteous Gemstones.

G.I. Joe is getting a new movie from Danny McBride, but it's not a comedy - 1

"It's not a comedy," McBride stated during a recent appearance on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, clarifying the genre expectations for the upcoming adaptation.

Strategic Development and Corporate Redundancy

The studio's decision to move forward with McBride follows a broader pattern of "parallel development" observed at Paramount. Industry reports from late February 2026 indicate that the studio has solicited competing scripts for the Hasbro property, including a draft from screenwriter Max Landis.

G.I. Joe is getting a new movie from Danny McBride, but it's not a comedy - 2

  • Strategic Redundancy: By commissioning multiple scripts simultaneously, Paramount seeks to mitigate risk—a method previously utilized in their Transformers and Star Trek pipelines.

  • The Initial Pitch: McBride initially approached the studio with a niche concept centered on the Dreadnoks (the mercenary biker group). The studio pivoted his efforts toward a broader Intellectual Property revival.

Project StatusLead CreativeFocus
Script CompleteDanny McBrideAction/Suspense
DevelopmentMax Landis[Confidential/Unspecified]

Franchise History and Financial Context

The G.I. Joe franchise has faced significant volatility since its inception. While early entries achieved notable commercial scale, recent attempts at rejuvenation have stalled.

  • Historical Performance: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and Retaliation (2013) accumulated over $678 million globally, establishing the series as a viable commodity.

  • Recent Stagnation: The 2021 standalone film Snake Eyes resulted in a significant Box Office failure, earning approximately $40 million worldwide against a backdrop of post-pandemic distribution hurdles.

This latest move highlights the studio's reliance on familiar branding to maintain its market share. The eventual production choice between the existing scripts—or a synthesis of both—remains a strategic decision pending further internal review by the studio's executives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Danny McBride write a comedy version of the new G.I. Joe movie?
No, Danny McBride confirmed on a podcast that his script for the new G.I. Joe movie is a serious action film. He is moving away from his usual comedy style for this project.
Q: When will the new G.I. Joe movie start filming at Paramount?
Paramount is looking to start production for the new G.I. Joe movie in 2027. The studio is currently reviewing scripts to decide the best path forward for the brand.
Q: Why is Paramount asking for different scripts for the G.I. Joe movie?
Paramount is using a strategy called parallel development to lower risks. They have asked different writers, including Danny McBride and Max Landis, to create scripts so the studio can pick the best one.
Q: How did the last G.I. Joe movie perform at the box office?
The last movie, Snake Eyes, was released in 2021 and earned only $40 million worldwide. This was a big drop compared to older films like The Rise of Cobra, which earned much more money.