Further confirming a story that Latino Review reported last week, THR writes that Paramount is zeroing in on the directors it wants to direct the G.I. Joe sequel, and the top two candidates are F. Gary Gray and Jon M. Chu. Gray is experienced with action thanks to his work on The Italian Job and Law Abiding Citizen, while Chu just got done releasing the concert film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, having previously made two Step Up film. They're two guys who probably couldn't have more different filmographies behind them, and yet they're up for the same job.
They're hoping to get the film into production in time for a June 2012 release, which means they need to get a director on board, like, yesterday. Casting will be less of a problem, since it's a sequel with the original cast already under contract, but presumably the second film will be just as effects-heavy as the first, meaning there needs to be plenty of post-production time. Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are working on the script, which in itself is enough to expect more out of the second film. The director of the first film, Stephen Sommers, decided not to come back for the sequel, not a surprise given rumors that he'd been locked out of the edit room during his stint as director.
Gray seems like the more obvious choice for the job, given his background making action films, but I"m kind of curious about what Chu might bring to the table. Never Say Never was a surprisingly enjoyable concert doc, and Chu's lack of experience in action might mean he'd bring something new to the table, turning G.I. Joe into something bigger than your average summer blockbuster. Anyone else out there, charmed by the Bieber movie or not, want to join me on my odd limb?
