There’s no word yet on the next G.I. Joe film’s release date, but for fans of the franchise, here’s something to tide you over — we’re getting a movie about yet another Hasbro-licensed property. It’s looking very promising, because the creatives helming the project are fans of the toy line.
Movies based on toy properties are commercial hits and misses, but Hasbro at least scored with the Transformers and, to an extent, G.I. Joe film franchises. The same could not be said about Battleship, Jem and the Holograms, and especially Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the latter of which flopped despite overwhelmingly positive reviews from audiences and critics. Now, Hasbro and UK-based production company Working Title are taking another risk by greenlighting an Action Man movie, based on the nostalgic toy series.
Toy manufacturer Palitoy launched Action Man in 1966, two years after the breakout success of G.I. Joe toys in the US. Just like the latter, the first Action Man toys were generic military figures — “Soldier” and “Sailor” were fully poseable and came with accessories and removable outfits. The early G.I. Joe and Action Man figures were virtually identical, but the latter weren’t ripoffs. Hasbro licensed the parent design to Palitoy, who later released figures with British uniforms and adventure gear.
The Action Man movie will pay homage to action cinema, with Simon Hatt and Anthony Sellitti penning the script. Hatt and Sellitti are huge fans of the toy franchise, and they were so invested in the adaptation that Hatt had a stunt crew work on a fight pre-visualization for the pitch. Action Man is reportedly an action comedy, so we’ll just have to see whether it’ll lean heavily on camp like the 1995 animated series, or be a little more grounded, like the G.I. Joe movies.
Hatt has ten years of experience at Marvel Studios as a producer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Vol. 3, and the Holiday Special, in collaboration with James Gunn. Hatt is also confirmed to direct Hammer Down, an upcoming lone-wolf-and-cub action flick. Sellitti wrote ten episodes of X-Men ’97, the Emmy-nominated Marvel animated series.
Jeremy Latcham is producing the project, drawing extensive experience from Iron Man and Iron Man 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Latcham also produced 2023’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Meanwhile, rest assured that the next G.I. Joe movie is still happening. Danny McBride was confirmed to direct the adaptation earlier this year, and he was also previously tapped to write the script. Development has reportedly ramped up since the update. McBride, whose notable acting credits include Tropic Thunder and Alien: Covenant, is also a New York Times bestselling author, screenwriter, director, and producer. He co-wrote and produced the Halloween trilogy.
Release Date
1995 – 1996-00-00
Network
Syndication, Sky One
Directors
Chris Bartleman
Mark Griffin
Action Man / Matthew Exler (voice)
Dale Wilson
Knuck Williams (voice)
David Hay
Professor Gangrene
Garry Chalk
Secretary Norris (voice)