G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura recently sat down with MTV to discuss where Paramount and Hasbro stand in terms of bringing the already announced sequel to the big screen.
Currently Zombieland scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are working on the G.I. Joe 2 script and di Bonaventura has already read several pages. He says the “tone and quality” are there but the script is not yet complete. If all goes according to the current plan, shooting will begin in spring 2011 with a release sometime in the crowded blockbuster season of summer 2012.
In regards to which characters might return, di Bonaventura offered a vague response that insinuates fewer would be better and easier for the sequel. I would assume core characters like Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett and Ripcord would be locks, while secondary acts like Heavy Duty and Breaker would be on the chopping block so new characters from the deep Joe lore could be introduced.
The settings for G.I. Joe 2 will be on a worldwide scale like Rise of Cobra per di Bonaventura. The plot, which we would assume revolves around Zartan assuming the presidency of the United States, is otherwise being kept under wraps right now.
Lastly, di Bonaventura is not yet ready to commit to 3D for G.I. Joe 2 but admits the decision will be his and whichever director is ultimately chosen. I would be shocked if the sequel was not filmed in 3D.
Read the entire interview at MTV.
