The next chapter in Paramount’s G.I. Joe series is coming together, with Variety reporting that the studio has tapped a writer to pen the screenplay. Jonathan Lemkin, known for writing the Mark Wahlberg-starring action-thriller Shooter and for co-writing The Devil’s Advocate and Red Planet, is set to pen the third entry in the franchise.
The third film is expected to see most of the cast from G.I. Joe: Retaliation return, including Dwayne Johnson and Adrianne Palicki. There isn’t any official word on the film’s plot, but word is that the focus will be primarily on Dwayne Johnson’s character Roadblock. It makes sense, considering how much of a box-office draw-card he has proven himself to be.
While neither G.I. Joe film was particularly loved by the critics, the last film’s box office draw, an impressive $375,740,705 on a budget of $130 million, ensured that the franchise was considered a major property for Paramount. They’ll be moving fast on this one, with a plan to be in production by mid-next year. If all goes to plan, G.I. Joe 3 should be hitting U.S. cinemas in 2016.
Jon M. Chu was originally expected to return at the helm, but he isn’t attached at the moment. We’ll keep you informed as the cast and crew grow.
