Danny McBride (Despicable Me, Superbad, The Righteous Gemstones) already penned the script for the untitled G.I. Joe film but is now also slated to direct the project.  The film is based upon the popular Hasbro line, with Paramount Pictures set to distribute. With David Ellison ahead of the ranks at Paramount, the studio is slowly looking to develop its popular IPs with projects on the silver screen.  Beyond G.I. Joe, development is also underway on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek projects.

Originally launched in the 1960s, G.I. Joe was modernized in the 1980s, capturing the macho persona connected with the character today.  THR detailed the other brands spawned from the world of G.I. Joe.

This version not only introduced a commando strike force featuring soldiers with monikers such as Duke, Roadblock and Snake Eyes, but also its over-the-top, hi-tech adversary, the terrorist organization known as Cobra with key bad guys including Cobra Commander, Baroness, Destro and Zartan.

There have been 3 feature-length films released under this brand, with all 3 failing to connect with critics and audiences alike.  2009’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra has a 33% score with critics and 50% with fans on Rotten Tomatoes.  2013’s follow-up G.I. Joe: Retaliation sports a 29% with critics and a 48% with audiences, while 2022’s Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins holds a 35% with critics and a franchise-best 74% with audiences.

With McBride now leading the project, it is safe to assume Paramount is hoping he can bring over the seamless genre blending from The Righteous Gemstones to this world.  Having both starred in and created the acclaimed HBO series, McBride will be hoping to bring that success to his feature-length directorial debut.