Danny McBride’s G.I. Joe Movie Casts Bradley Cooper as Duke
Bradley Cooper has officially been cast as Duke in Danny McBride’s upcoming G.I. Joe movie for Paramount, marking a significant addition to the action film reboot. The casting follows months of speculation and comes after Cooper was McBride’s reported top choice for the role.
Duke is the leader of the G.I. Joes team. The role was previously played by Channing Tatum in the first two G.I. Joe films, though the original movie subverted expectations by making the character a newcomer to the organization.
Despite Cooper’s current commitments—he is starring in and directing an Ocean’s 11 prequel being filmed in Europe—the actor will take on the role. The casting represents a significant acquisition for the Paramount project, which has been in development for some time.
The G.I. Joe reboot follows Paramount fielding multiple competing pitches in early 2026. The studio rejected a treatment from Max Landis in March; Landis faced accusations of sexual and emotional abuse from multiple women during the #MeToo movement, though no charges were filed, and his career subsequently stalled.
With Cooper now officially attached, McBride’s G.I. Joe vision appears to be advancing with momentum. The project represents another major blockbuster action vehicle for Cooper and reflects the ongoing trend of legacy IP being reimagined for contemporary audiences.