Okay, this one I did not see coming.
Bradley Cooper is officially playing Duke in a brand-new G.I. Joe movie.
Paramount announced the project Thursday, and this won’t be another continuation of the previous movies. Instead, it’s being described as a complete reimagining of G.I. Joe, based once again on the classic Hasbro toy line and comic-book mythology.
And honestly, that may be exactly what this franchise needs.
The movie will be directed by Danny McBride, who is also co-writing the script with Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri.
Yes. THAT Danny McBride.
And before anyone assumes this means we’re getting some kind of Eastbound & Down version of G.I. Joe, McBride has already revealed a little bit about the story—and it actually sounds pretty damn cool.
The movie will follow Duke and a team of Joes into Springfield.
Now, if you grew up reading the comics or watching the cartoon, that name should immediately get your attention.
Springfield looks like an ordinary American town.
Except basically everyone who lives there secretly works for Cobra.
That is such a great setup for a movie.
Instead of immediately going gigantic with world-ending superweapons, exploding landmarks and 400 CGI vehicles flying around the screen, you have Duke and a small group of Joes walking into an entire town where absolutely nobody can be trusted.
That’s almost Invasion of the Body Snatchers with G.I. Joe.
And I’m here for that.
McBride also teased that they’ve got some interesting people lining up to join the cast, although nobody else has officially been announced yet.
One thing that apparently isn’t happening anymore is the previously discussed G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover. That project is no longer in development, and honestly, I’m okay with that.
Before we start smashing every Hasbro property together into one giant cinematic toy box, maybe let’s just make a really good G.I. Joe movie first.
Bradley Cooper is an interesting choice for Duke. He’s got the movie-star presence, he can obviously handle drama and action, and at this point in his career I’m guessing he isn’t signing up just to stand around yelling “Yo Joe!” while something explodes behind him.
Although…
I absolutely want him to yell “YO JOE!” at least once.
And if they’re really setting this thing in Springfield, give me Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, Zartan and a bunch of completely normal-looking townspeople who turn out to be Cobra agents.
Now you’ve got my attention.
