Paramount Surprises Fans with Dual G.I. Joe Reboot Initiatives
The tactical world of G.I. Joe is returning to cinemas in a way no one expected: not with a single new film, but with two competing reboots crafted by dramatically different creative forces. Paramount is betting on reinvention, setting acclaimed yet controversial screenwriter Max Landis and the genre-bending comedic auteur Danny McBride on parallel tracks to revive one of Hasbro’s most iconic properties.
The Franchise Backstory: Toy Legend Meets Hollywood Risks
G.I. Joe is no stranger to reinvention. The bold transition from beloved action figure line to the big screen gave fans blockbusters like G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and G.I. Joe: Retaliation—action-packed but met with mixed reviews. The spinoff Snake Eyes attempted a character-driven approach, yet it struggled to ignite box office fireworks, leaving the cinematic legacy uncertain despite its devoted fanbase drawn from decades of comics and animation.
Dueling Scripts: Landis vs. McBride
Paramount’s new strategy upends the familiar reboot cycle. Max Landis, known for visually striking, genre-driven stories like Chronicle and Bright, brings a controversial reputation after industry allegations paused his Hollywood ascent. His approach is expected to focus on heightened drama, kinetic action, and ambitious world-building.
Danny McBride, creator of acclaimed series like Eastbound & Down and The Righteous Gemstones, offers a complete tonal counterpoint—bringing his signature blend of irreverent humor, complex character studies, and sharp satire. This bold creative duel isn’t unprecedented: Hollywood frequently explores multiple visions before an ultimate merging, notably in franchises like Transformers and Star Trek.
Parallel Development: Hollywood’s Unorthodox Gamble
Why two scripts? Paramount’s experiment is designed to ignite fresh perspectives and push tonal boundaries. By developing scripts independently before merging the best ideas, the aim is to steer clear of creative pitfalls that limited earlier movies. Industry insiders suggest this could reveal whether G.I. Joe performs best with realistic grit and tactical authenticity or as a stylized, almost absurdist reinvention centering on bolder personalities and new stakes.
Franchise Future: No Directors, No Cast—Just High Stakes
So far, Paramount hasn’t announced directors or casting choices. Both versions are in the writing phase, with the potential for the strongest elements of each script to be fused into a single cinematic event. It’s a move reminiscent of the studio’s approach to other major IPs—sometimes even considering crossover projects like G.I. Joe meeting Transformers in the same universe, as previously rumored.
The stakes are high. Earlier films grossed hundreds of millions globally, but the challenge now is to recapture audiences not just through nostalgia, but with a bold, new vision that revitalizes the property both critically and commercially.
What’s Next for G.I. Joe Fans?
This dual-track gamble means fans could see radically different versions of their favorite elite military team before the ultimate film takes shape. As Paramount weighs both grounded realism and inventive, character-led storytelling, the future of G.I. Joe on screen is as wide open as it’s been in decades.
