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Joseph Gordon-Levitt Not Returning for Jon M. Chu's 'G.I. Joe' Sequel

by Ethan Anderton
May 2, 2011
Source: Collider

In February we learned that Justin Bieber: Never Say Never director Jon M. Chu would sit in the director's chair for G.I. Joe 2, the sequel to 2009's action blockbuster G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. But then we also heard that besides the original film's director Stephen Sommers not returning to helm the film, most of the characters wouldn't be returning for the sequel with only Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes and Duke showing up for the sequel. At the time, we weren't sure if that included primary villains Cobra Commander and Destro, but Collider just heard straight from Joseph-Gordon Levitt that he won't reprise his role as the former.

Honestly, I'm hoping that maybe they're trying to keep his appearance in the film secret, but it really doesn't make sense for him not to return. So much time was spent setting up Cobra Commander as a villain that it seems silly for him not to return. The same can be said for Destro, so hopefully Christopher Eccleston will return to reprise his villainous role at least. Honestly, I don't know what to expect from the G.I. Joe sequel, but after being only mildly entertained by the first film, I can't say that it's a big concern of mine. What do you think?

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News

From around the web:

http://twitter.com/A5J4DX A5J4DX

nooooooooooooo!!!
http://www.nintendofuse.com DarkWish

Yea, this seems like a big mistake with how they ended the first film. I hope this is a lie to keep it a surprise... but then again, why keep it a surprise when the first film made the direction they were going in pretty clear? I don't know, seems odd to me.
stfugtfo

boo frickin hoo the 1st one sucked
Rops

I'd be glad if JGL didn't return. The first one was awful and I'd hate for him to have this under his belt too. Bring Cobra Commander back, sure, but I won't be offended if they switch actors at all.
Nick S.

not surprised by this in the least... the first film was garbage, it's just common sense for JGL to avoid a second go around of an attempted murder of our childhood heroes at the hands of Hollywood.
Ivan

He can do so much better than this franchise. I welcome this news.
http://www.facebook.com/ponchoandy Andy Ortega

Good for him. He's too good an actor to have this steaming pile on his resume.
Tyty910

I looked at all the comments and I'm shocked no one considered that maybe cobra commander isn't coming back because they want to cast Serpentor.
Hellknowsmyname

I'm really glad he's gone. He was a TERRIBLE cobra commander. He's a good actor but he just didn't fit the role at all.
mORPH

a snake eyes & storm shadow movie would be awesome. more info is needed there might not even be a cobra commander in the sequel. if its a snake eyes/storm shadow movie you wouldnt need one.
DRM

Both Destro and Cobra Commander ended the first movie with full face masks. Why would ANY big name actor come back to reprise the role? And why would any studio want to PAY a big actor when they can hire a stunt actor stand-in? Cobra Commander will still be in the movie. Just played by someone else. ---
Mrjzn

GI Joe was a huge pile of GI Shit.
Suckitcraig

the movie sucked anyway. pathetic. JGL as CC?!?! Who's bright idea was that? Fk this.
http://twitter.com/darktaxidermist David Perretta

Good for him, the movie was really bad I don't even care about the sequel.
Lamar

Resolution,an animated G.I. Joe movie, was tons better than the live-action one. Not to say I didn't like it, it was just a movie you wouldn't take seriously...at all. Every time news for the sequel comes out, its all bad: 90% of the cast is gone, the director is the guy who did the Justin Bieber movie, JGL has left too. Seriously do the filmmakers even care if this is gonna be good.
http://twitter.com/serke serke

Wasn't excited to see it, but ended up seeing it twice and enjoying the terrible/awesome. I was hoping they would actually improve upon it in the sequel, but over half the cast not returning? Sucks. And no Scarlett? Oh joy a sausage-fest.
Anonymous

Get rid of Channing and we'll talk
- Meow
  
  Agree, totally. The dude can't act. I wish this could start over completely.
ek

I think he left cos the first one was below average and doesn't want this to tarnish.. He's a solid actor and if I were him I would probably do the same. Guess its the risk you take as an actor.. what you act in is history. Can't be undone. But, in saying that I hope the they can improve with the sequel as the source material is cool.. loved the toys/cartoons as a kid and had some high hopes for the live action. Can't fault him for leaving as actings' his bread'n'butter and I'm sure he's got oodles of scripts coming out his chrome respirator thingy-ma-bob to digest
http://twitter.com/UrbanEnigma Yves

JGL is a fantastic actor but his portrayal of Cobra Commander was just flat out terrible. It's not his fault though. It was just bad casting on the director's part