After much speculation and rumor, it is now official. According to Variety, Stephen Sommers is indeed directing a big screen adaptation of the G.I. Joe cartoon show from the 80s, which was based on a set of Hasbro action figures.

Sommers pitched his take on the franchise Wednesday night. He was hired on the spot. Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing with Hasbro chief operating officer Brian Goldner. Sommers and his Sommers Co. partner Bob Ducsay are also onboard as producers. Goldner stated, "Marrying Steve's vision with 25 years of this brand mythology feels like a great way to go forward."

Said to be closer in tone to James Bond than a war movie, Sommers stated, "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. I wouldn't have jumped into this just because of the Hasbro-Transformers tie. Remember, Pirates of the Caribbean was a big hit, but 'The Haunted Mansion not so much."

A writer is being hired immediately. The film is set to go into production in February for a Summer 09 release date.

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