EXCLUSIVE
"G.I. Joe" director Stephen Sommers will return to direct Paramount's sequel, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
There had been some doubts about whether Sommers would be brought back into the "Joe" fold, as there were conflicting reports across the blogosphere last summer that there had been some tension between Sommers and the studio, but the alleged bad blood appears to have been resolved.
Channing Tatum is expected to reprise his role as Capt. Duke Hauser in the sequel, which is still in development at Paramount.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but Collider reported earlier this year that Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick ("Zombieland") were hired to write the sequel, and I'm told that the studio is happy with the draft they turned in.
Sommers will likely produce with Lorenzo di Bonaventura.
"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" grossed more than $300 million worldwide last year on a reported production budget of $175 million, not including prints and advertising.
Sommers previously directed "The Mummy" and "Van Helsing," and he has a "Tarzan" movie in development at Warner Bros.
Sommers is represented by WME.
