By Kofi Outlaw
Details on the characters and story arch of the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE film have officially hit the web.
IESB.net is reporting that a draft of the ‘JOE script was turned in around October 1st by writer Stuart Beattie. According to IESB, Beattie’s script will pit the famed fighting force against Cobra capos Destro and the Baroness, with king snake Cobra Commander resigned to an “Emperor Palpatine” role for at least this first installment.
On a cooler note, a source inside the studio has confirmed that Cobra ninja Storm Shadow and Joe fan-fave Snake Eyes will be “a main focal point and the “soul” of the film.” Nice. Additionally, bonafide badass gang The Dreadnoks will be included in the film, complete with Zartan, his sister Zarana and little brother Zandar. The gang will act as the hired muscle Cobra uses to guard their day-to-day operations, ensuring that a few no-holds-barred scraps between Joes and Dreadnoks will be sure to go down.
Will Zartan retain his trademark camouflage ability and (hilariously ludicrous) mastery of disguise for the film? Only time will tell.
rumors continue to swirl that Mark Wahlberg is being courted to star in the role of Joe leader Duke; Tyrese Gibson is being approached to take-on the role of Roadblock; and there’s even whispers that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is being considered for a cameo as Joe drill instructor Sgt. Slaughter. (Didn’t he already play that role in Gridiron? No, I didn’t see that movie either.)
So far none of the aforementioned actors has been confirmed for the film, but I can say that I pretty much support them all as candidates, (especially the Rock as Slaughter, are you kidding me? No brainer!) No further details on the film have been confirmed as of yet either, but rest assured they’re coming as quick as the chain of spies, snitches and investigators can get them out to us.
Regardless of who ends up fulfilling the film’s key roles, G.I. JOE is sure to be another blockbuster-hit for parent company Hasboro, who first turned the popular line of 1960’s military-themed dolls into a merchandising cash-cow, whose popularity peaked with a 1980’s Saturday morning cartoon and accompanying line of action-figures.
As of now G.I. JOE is slated to hit theaters in the summer of 2009, it will be directed by Stephen Sommers (“The Mummy.”) In a not-so-inconspicuous bit of stratagem, Hasboro’s other popular toy franchise, “Transformers,” will see the sequel to its mega-hit film in theaters that same summer.
Better buy your Hasboro shares now and start getting those mint-condition action figures ready for the ebay auction block. 2K9 will be the summer you’ve been waiting for since 1986.