Cover art for G.I. JOE #1
© 2001 Image Comics

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Stephen Sommers Back on G.I JOE

It's official and confirmed, readers. Director Stephen Sommers is back on for the live action adaptation of G.I. JOE, says Robert at IESB and Variety. He was first announced earlier this month as being the director and then a week later, there were whispers about Paramount rejecting the "salary price" that director Sommers wanted for the gig. Apparently, that's been worked out between the parties because the studio has now confirmed he will be the director in another team production between Paramount & Hasbro (same team to adapt TRANSFORMERS). Variety is saying that Sommers pitched his version of the film to the studio executives on Wednesday night and was hired on the spot after they were satisfied with what they heard.  

"Our vision (for 'The Mummy') was clear the time the first trailer played during the Super Bowl, and by the time this one plays a Super Bowl, you'll see the coolest characters and visuals you can imagine, and beyond-state-of-the-art equipment," Sommers said. "I wouldn't have jumped into this just because of the Hasbro-Transformers tie. Remember, 'Pirates of the Caribbean was a big hit, but 'Haunted Mansion' not so much."

"My experience with beloved properties is that characters, attitude and tone are even more important than plot," di Bonaventura said. "Paramount showed a great deal of confidence in Stephen's take, and our ability as producers to get this up and running for a February start. His passion for the characters and the world convinced the studio this was something they couldn't resist."

Production on G.I. JOE begins in February 2008 with a theatrical release planned for summer 2009.