Since G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes is jettisoning almost the entire cast of the original — only Channing Tatum (Duke), Ray Park (Snake Eyes), and Lee Byung-hun (Storm Shadow) are reportedly returning for the sequel — it’ll need some big names if Paramount has any hope of it beating the somewhat disappointing gross of the original. It was rumored that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Fast Five) was in talks to play Roadblock, a heavy weapons specialist and a major character in the 1980s cartoon series. Today Johnson himself confirmed that he will be in G.I. Joe 2 by posting the above image, even though he hasn’t specified if he is playing Roadblock or not.
The Rock is the second new actor to join the film, after Stephen Martines (TV’s The Closer) as Cross-Country. However, The Hollywood Reporter states a few other actors are in negotiations to join: Wu-Tang Clan rapper-turned-actor RZA is in talks to play the Blind Master, a martial arts master who trained Snake Eyes and Jinx (although he was a very minor character in the original Joe continuity). Jinx, a female martial artist and cousin to Storm Shadow, will reportedly be played by Elodie Yung (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). Finally, D.J. Cotrona (Dear John) is in talks to play Flint, one of the key Joe commanders along with Tatum’s Duke.
The film will be directed by Jon Chu (Justin Bieber: Never Say Never) for reasons only Paramount knows. The script was written by Zombieland duo Paul Wenick and Rhett Reese and is set for an August 10, 2012 3D release.
Is this a good move for the former wrestling superstar? What do you think of the other new cast members? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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