AceShowbiz - The G.I. Joe franchise is gearing up for a major revival as Paramount moves forward with two distinct reboot projects from writers Max Landis and Danny McBride, according to a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter. These dual developments mark an unconventional approach by the studio, which hopes to eventually merge elements from both scripts into a single film, aiming to reinvigorate one of Hasbro’s most enduring properties.

G.I. Joe has a long history in cinema, beginning with the 2009 release of The Rise of Cobra, followed by Retaliation and the 2021 spinoff Snake Eyes. Together, these films amassed hundreds of millions globally, with The Rise of Cobra earning $302 million and Retaliation grossing $375 million worldwide. Despite this commercial success, critical reception was inconsistent, and the franchise struggled to establish a cohesive cinematic universe. The underperformance of Snake Eyes, which brought in only $40.1 million against an $88 million budget, left the future of the series uncertain.

The new initiative at Paramount involves two very different creative visions. Max Landis, known for writing 2012’s Chronicle and Netflix’s Bright, is developing one reboot script. However, Landis’s involvement is controversial due to multiple sexual and emotional abuse allegations publicized in 2019, including a detailed exposé by The Daily Beast. This has sparked conversation about his role in a high-profile franchise reboot.

In contrast, Danny McBride, best recognized for his work on HBO’s Eastbound & Down and The Righteous Gemstones, is crafting a competing version. McBride’s style is markedly different, blending absurdist comedy with sharp character-driven storytelling. This tonal shift could provide a fresh take on the franchise, positioning it either toward grounded realism or a stylized, character-centric reinvention. Paramount’s strategy appears to be assessing both scripts independently before deciding how to unify the strongest elements into a cohesive film.

This dual-track development is not without precedent in Hollywood. Previous franchises like Warner Bros.’ The Legend of Tarzan and Universal’s The Mummy reboot employed multiple writers and competing scripts before selecting or merging ideas. Paramount itself has experimented with this approach on other IPs, including Transformers and Star Trek, even exploring a crossover between G.I. Joe and Transformers.

G.I. Joe remains one of Hasbro’s most recognizable brands, with decades of comics, cartoons, and toys cultivating a loyal fan base. But turning that nostalgia into a critically and commercially successful movie has proven difficult. By commissioning two distinct scripts, the studio may be testing the waters to determine whether audiences prefer a more realistic military action film or a bold, comedic character-driven adventure.

Currently, both scripts are in active development, but no directors or casting choices have been announced. It is still unclear which vision will prevail or how Paramount will blend these divergent creative directions into a unified blockbuster. Nonetheless, the studio’s willingness to take this unconventional gamble highlights its commitment to resurrecting G.I. Joe on the big screen.

As the project progresses, industry watchers will be keen to see how Paramount navigates the challenges of rebooting a beloved but uneven franchise while managing the complexities of working with two very different creative forces. The outcome could reshape the future of G.I. Joe cinema and set a precedent for multi-script development in franchise filmmaking.