One week after word came out that Paramount Pictures had tapped MUMMY director Stephen Sommers to helm the big screen adaptation of G.I. JOE, the studio has hired Stuart Beattie (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, COLLATERAL) to pen the screenplay, the trades report. Paramount hopes to make the live-action feature a summer 2009 tentpole.
The 1980s toyline spawned comics and an animated series. The film will be based on the latest incarnation of the franchise, which finds the G.I. Joe unit (which stands for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity) based in Brussels as a co-ed force using hi-tech weapons to fight the terrorist organization Cobra.
Producers are Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Hasbro's Brian Goldner.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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