G.I. Joe has only been out a few days now, but it’s shockingly doing really well at the box office — making around $100 million worldwide this one weekend — and even more shockingly getting many positive reviews. So it comes as no surprise that producers are already itching to keep going with the franchise.
Paramount Pictures Vice Chairman Rob Moore confirmed to the LA Times that a sequel is already set to begin development in the near future. He also explained that all of the actors signed a multi-film deal and are definitely coming back, while director Stephen Sommers is not signed on yet.
This is a smart move, for sure. Many people still aren’t sold on G.I. Joe, but because it’s being enjoyed so much more than everyone assumed it would be, they need to capitalize on that immediately. After seeing a highly-anticipated movie like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen be hated as much as it was, you just never know what’s going to happen — strike while the iron is hot and all that jazz.
Even though Sommers isn’t signed yet, I can’t imagine it would be too difficult to re-acquire him. Worst case scenario (and it’s an unlikely scenario, but one fans might prefer), is that they have to run out and sign a new action director to do the second movie.
No dates are set yet, but considering how fast that they’re moving into development, expect a sequel to G.I. Joe to be hitting theaters in the summer of 2011.
I’m not sure I’d characterize a 30% of Top Critics on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer as “many positive reviews”.
Comment by Dr. Geek, Ph.D. — August 11, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
Wait, after reading reviews of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, reviews of G.I. Joe are positively glowing.
Comment by Dr. Geek, Ph.D. — August 11, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
One positive review was shocking to me.
More than one classified as “many”.
Comment by The Movie God — August 13, 2009 @ 1:16 am