Stephen Sommers does not appear to be in the running to direct the G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra sequel to Paramount according to an L.A. Times report.
Sources have told the 24 Frames blog that Paramount has approached at least 2 agents about their clients possibly directing G.I. Joe 2. These agents also confirmed that Paramount told them Sommers will not return. No prospective directors were revealed.
Zombieland scribes Rhett Rheese and Paul Wernick, self-professed fans of the 1980s G.I. Joe toy and comic line, have been working on a script for the sequel since early last year. Presumably it would be completed or close to by now, opening the door for Paramount to get a director on-board and ramp up production.
There are plenty of narrative avenues to explore in the next G.I. Joe sequel based on where The Rise of Cobra left off. Zartan had infiltrated the White House impersonating the President of the United States. The Joes, having their Pit base somewhere in the Egyptian desert compromised and damaged by Cobra, had relocated to the sea aboard the U.S.S. Flagg aircraft carrier. The Baroness had temporarily overridden the Nanomite control and was under the care of the Joes. Storm Shadow had been stabbed by Snake Eyes and plummeted into the arctic water. Newly masked Destro and Cobra Commander were captured and placed in a holding cell similar to the plastic prison Magneto found himself in after the first X-Men film.
