Bradley Cooper has been cast as Duke in Paramount’s new G.I. Joe movie, with Danny McBride directing. The move confirms Cooper’s involvement, but reports identify him as Duke rather than saying he replaces Chris Hemsworth, as our earlier coverage had speculated.
IGN’s report, citing Deadline, says Cooper read the script and met with McBride before committing. Deadline’s exclusive says Cooper was at the top of McBride’s wish list, though his schedule had made a deal uncertain.
G.I. Joe movie: what is confirmed about Bradley Cooper
Variety identifies Cooper as field commander Duke. The casting settles the role, but the reports do not establish that Hemsworth was attached to it or that Cooper took over from him. Treat the earlier replacement claim as unconfirmed.
Cooper is known for directing and starring in films including A Star Is Born and Maestro. McBride previously cast him in a guest role on The Righteous Gemstones, and the two are now working together on a much larger franchise film.
The G.I. Joe movie is a standalone reimagining
TheWrap reports that the new film is uncoupled from the Transformers crossover teased at the end of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts; that crossover is no longer in development. The project is described as a reimagining of Hasbro’s toy line, rather than a continuation of the planned crossover.
McBride is directing and co-writing the film with Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri. The rest of the cast and plot details have not been disclosed. The reports also give no production start or release date, so there is no confirmed timetable yet.
Does Bradley Cooper replace Chris Hemsworth in the G.I. Joe movie?
The reports confirm Cooper as Duke but do not establish that Hemsworth was attached to the role or that Cooper replaced him. The earlier replacement claim remains unconfirmed.
Will the new G.I. Joe movie continue the Channing Tatum films?
Paramount describes it as a reimagining, but the reports do not explain whether the earlier films remain part of its continuity. It should not be treated as a direct sequel on the information currently available.
When will the new G.I. Joe movie start filming or be released?
No production start date or theatrical release date has been announced in the casting reports.
