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NOTE: This article is about the incarnation of Destro from the live-action film series. The mainstream version can be found here: Destro.

This world is messy enough. No. What it needs is unification, leadership. It has to be taken out of chaos by someone with complete control. Beijing, Moscow, Washington... When these missiles detonate, the world will turn to the most powerful man on the planet. When I'm finished, the money will take care of its self. You'll be able to do all the research you want.
~ McCullen revealing his plan to the Doctor.

Laird James McCullen XXIV, also later known as Destro, is the secondary antagonist of the G.I. Joe film series, serving as one of the two main antagonists (along with Cobra Commander) of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and a minor antagonist of G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

He is the head of M.A.R.S. Industries, however later on Rex Lewis originally known as "The Doctor" wrests control of the organization from him and assumes the title of "Cobra Commander" renaming it COBRA.

He was portrayed by Christopher Eccleston, who also played Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk in Elizabeth, Raymond Calitri in Gone in 60 Seconds, Henry West in 28 Days Later and Malekith the Accursed in Thor: The Dark World.

Biography[]

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra[]

McCullen is introduced in the film as a philanthropic scientist and businessman who is head of M.A.R.S. Industries which is researching the nanomites. He sends out four new nanomite warheads to a special location. Unknown to the military and the G.I. Joes, he sends his Neo Viper henchmen and the Baroness to retrieve the case for his own evil plans. He is next seen in a holographic call to the G.I. Joes to examine and make sure that all three of his nanomite warheads are safe and secure. Later, he orders the Baroness and his ninja assassin Storm Shadow to retrieve the case. His assistant Zartan states that nothing ever works out. But McCullen assures him that this problem is one that they will eventually fix. His main scientist, the Doctor states that he has created several Neo Viper henchmen and sends a small squad to go with Baroness and Storm Shadow to the G.I. Joe pit. McCullen next sees three missiles that he says will make the world turn to the most powerful man in the world.

Later, McCullen sends Baroness and Storm Shadow to Paris to weaponize the warheads and test one on the Eiffel Tower. He wanted to detonate one on the warheads on the Tower so that the French will never forget what they did to his family. He then observes the Doctor's experiments on Zartan to complete Phase 1 of his master plan to turn him into the President of the United States.

Afterwards, McCullen orders Storm Shadow to launch the three remaining warheads into the sky so that they could detonate Washington, Beijing and Moscow. He later shares a kiss with Baroness, much to Duke's disappointment. He then has the Doctor prepare for another procedure, this time on Duke. He is next shown in a flashback scene where the Doctor (revealed to be Rex Lewis) investigates the work of M.A.R.S. scientist Dr. Mindbender. e then witnesses that Baroness has ignored her nanomite programming for Duke because of her love for him. He then tries to use a flame thrower against Duke but instead his attack backfires in which he is severely burned and left physically scarred as a result, Rex then evacuates the facility, bringing McCullen with him. Due to being incapacitated, McCullen loses command of M.A.R.S. Industries as Rex Lewis assumes the title of Cobra Commander at the climax of the film and wrests control of the organisation from McCullen, renaming it COBRA with himself as its leader. He is then given an injection of nanomite technology by Rex that heals his scarred face, though it also changes his face into hardened silver-like metal. At first McCullen deems it as his heir succession to the line of McCullen's but Cobra subsides it and dubs him Destro, as a result of this, McCullen is outraged by Cobra's remark and what he has done to him, attempting to attack him but due to the mind-controlling ability of the nanomites he is restrained and forced to be obedient to Cobra Commander. After this, he is apprehended with the Commander by the G.I. Joes and taken to a secret prison.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation[]

Destro is seen when Storm Shadow breaks into the prison to free both him and the Cobra Commander, as part of Cobra Commander's true plan to subdue the world with the threat of satellites. However, Cobra Commander orders for Destro to be left behind, and Destro remains in prison presumably for the rest of his life or he perishes in the explosion of the prison because of the Director Nigel James.

Characteristics[]

Personality[]

James McCullen was incredibly self serving and arrogant, only caring for himself and his entire motivation being out of a desire to rule and be on top of everyone else, in spite of his lack of care or genuine affection for anyone else however he did manage to get on with much of his staff and had a relatively easy-going and jokey personality, rarely taking things seriously unless they directly affected him. He held a lot of pride in his culture, heritage and family and despised France after what had happened to his ancestor however kept his mask as a reminder to never get caught in his nefarious schemes. McCullen also had an obscene obsession with the Baroness and loved showing her affection during her brainwashed state, even mocking her ex-boyfriend Duke by kissing her in front of him then openly taunting him about it. McCullen rarely lost his composure however on the occasions when it did happen he proved himself to be quite short-sighted, something which ultimately cost him his face.

After being usurped by Cobra Commander Destro became quiet, subservient and very timid and nervous around his new master and was left in a state of constant misery and frustration since he didn't want to work for him.

Appearance[]

McCullen was a tall, slender man with fair skin and handsome, sharp features. He had blue eyes, thick strawberry blonde hair which was always slicked back and white teeth. He was always seen wearing a charcoal pinstripe suit with a black shirt and lavender tie with a pin attached to it. After being badly burned by a flamethrower McCullen's scarred face was healed by Cobra Commander injecting him with nanomites which gave him a permanently chrome head almost identical to his ancestor's mask, his clothes remained the same however the upper half of his suit was significantly charred.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • David Murray was originally cast as Destro, but dropped it when he had problems with his visa and was replaced by Christopher Eccleston.[1]
    • However, Murray was able to film a flashback scene as the first Destro, James McCullen I.
  • Christopher Eccleston revealed in an interview that he hated the film, and he declined to return for G.I. Joe: Retaliation.[2]
  • Christopher Eccleston and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje play adversaries in this film, and would later play allies in Thor: The Dark World.
  • Destro serves as the heavy in The Rise of Cobra, despite being the big bad with Cobra Commander due to him driving most of the plot with his plan of attempting world domination and being more of a direct threat.

External Links[]

Navigation[]

            GIJoeTitle Villains

COBRA
Cobra Commander (Sunbow version | Krake) | Baroness | Tomax & Xamot | Storm Shadow | Dr. Mindbender | Firefly | Major Bludd | Scrap-Iron | Wild Weasel | Copperhead | Serpentor | Cobra-La | Golobulus | Cobra Troopers | B.A.T.S.
M.A.R.S. Industries: Destro
Dreadnoks: Zartan | Zarana | Zandar | Buzzer | Ripper | Torch | Monkeywrench | Thrasher
Other
Dr. Lucifer | Robert Harper | Gamesmaster | Georgi Potemkin | George Latimer | Buck McCann | Sheila McDermott | B.A. LeCarre | Pierre LaFonte | Raven

Alternate Continuities
G.I. Joe: Sigma 6: Cobra Commander | Destro | Storm Shadow | Baroness | Firefly | B.A.T. | Zartan
G.I. Joe: Resolute: Cobra Commander
G.I. Joe: Renegades: Cobra Commander | Dr. Mindbender
G.I Joe 2009-2013 Film Duology: Cobra Commander/The Doctor | Destro | Storm Shadow | Baroness | Zartan | Firefly
2021 Film Series: Kenta | Baroness | Storm Shadow | Mr. Augustine
Energon Universe: Cobra Commander | Golobulus | Destro

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