Bradley Cooper, known for his work in "The Hangover" and "A Star Is Born," is reportedly in negotiations to portray Duke, the leader of the G.I. Joe team, in Paramount's forthcoming live-action reboot. According to a report from Deadline, Cooper was a long-sought choice for the role by director Danny McBride.
McBride, who also contributed to the script, has previously indicated that his "G.I. Joe" movie will not be a comedy and will be set in Springfield, focusing on the team's conflict with Cobra. This new iteration marks the third attempt by Paramount to launch a live-action "G.I. Joe" franchise, following earlier films released in 2009 and 2013, and the 2021 "Snake Eyes" origin story.
Cooper and McBride have a prior working relationship, with Cooper having made a guest appearance in McBride's HBO comedy series "The Righteous Gemstones." Cooper is currently engaged in writing, directing, and starring in an "Ocean's Eleven" prequel for WB.
This upcoming film is confirmed not to be a crossover with the "Transformers" franchise, despite a hint in the last "Transformers" movie. Plot details beyond the central conflict between G.I. Joe and Cobra remain scarce.