Cooper as Duke: 3 Exciting Details From a Bold Reboot

Paramount has cast Cooper as Duke in its new “G.I. Joe” movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bradley Cooper will lead the untitled project directed by Danny McBride, putting a familiar character at the center of the next screen adaptation of Hasbro’s property.

3 details about Cooper as Duke

1. A new actor takes on a familiar role

The Hollywood Reporter says Cooper will play the Joes’ leader. Channing Tatum played Duke in Paramount’s 2009 “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and 2013 “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”

The casting of Cooper as Duke does not, by itself, establish how the new movie connects to earlier films. Its plot has not been detailed in the report.

2. McBride leads the creative team

McBride is directing and co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian and Hasbro Entertainment’s Zev Foreman are producing, the outlet reports.

Cooper and McBride previously worked together when Cooper appeared in “The Righteous Gemstones.” The new collaboration brings them to a franchise whose characters include Duke, Roadblock and Snake Eyes.

3. Cooper brings experience beyond franchise roles

Cooper as Duke follows work that includes voicing Rocket in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films and directing and starring in “Maestro.” The latter film earned seven Oscar nominations, according to the Academy’s 2024 awards record.

Those nominations included lead actor for Cooper, lead actress for Carey Mulligan, cinematography, makeup and hairstyling, sound, original screenplay and best picture. Cooper was among the nominated writers and producers. The film did not win an Oscar that year.

What remains unannounced

The accessible casting report does not provide a release date or filming schedule. Cooper as Duke is the headline development; the project’s eventual tone and story remain to be revealed. Follow our movie news and entertainment coverage for more entertainment reporting.