The ensemble cast for Paramount’s live-action feature on the Hasbro action-figure line and animated series G.I. Joe continues to come together. The latest bit of new from Daily Variety has comedic actor Marlon Wayans (Little Man, Scary Movie) set to play skydiving expert Ripcord. In addition, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Lookout, Brick) is reportedly in talks to take on the role of Duke Hauser’s scientist buddy.
Written by Stuart Beattie (30 Days of Night, the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy), the Paramount movie will take place 10 years in the future, focusing on operatives of the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity, an elite, international strike force based in Brussels.
Wayans joins previously announced cast members Rachel Nichols, Sienna Miller, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Said Taghmaoui and Ray Park. Nichols will show up as hand-to-hand combat and counterintelligence expert Scarlett, Akinnuoye-Agbaje will play ordinance expert Heavy Duty, while Taghmaoui takes on the role of communications specialist Breaker and Park portrays mute ninja Snake Eyes.
G.I. Joe is set to begin principal photography in Los Angeles next month with director Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, Van Helsing) at the helm and producing with partner Bob Duscay. Fresh from his success with DreamWorks/Paramount’s adaptation of Hasbro’s Transformers brand, Lorenzo di Bonaventura is also producing with Hasbro’s Brian Goldner. Paramount plans to release the pic on Aug. 7, 2009.
