We rejoiced earlier this year when it was reported that Stephen Sommers would not be returning to direct a sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. For the past few months, Paramount has been in search of a director to replace him, and this weekend appears that they have finally settled on someone. According to Heat Vision, the job will go to Justin Bieber: Never Say Never director Jon M. Chu. So, uh… is it still too late to get Stephen Sommers back? The interesting thing is that they are saying that some roles may end up being recast for the sequel. How about all of them?

If they do end up recasting the film, I would much prefer that they simply start over with a clean slate and reboot the whole thing. However, word on the street is that they are planning to keep Channing Tatum as Duke, who is, incidentally, the very first person I would want to see recast. Chu worked with him previously on Step Up 2: The Streets, but somehow I don’t think that should account for much.

Both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sienna Miller are mentioned as the most likely to be recast in their roles as Cobra Commander and The Baroness respectively. This is unfortunate, but understandable I suppose. No word yet on whether or not Marlon Wayans will return.

Chu is not the first filmmaker to transition from dance movies to action flicks. Last year Sylvain White (Stomp the Yard) directed The Losers, which was flashy but completely bland in my opinion. As a fan of G.I. Joe, I can’t say I have much hope for the future of this movie franchise. On the other hand, I know a lot of people enjoyed the first flick and might have been satsified with more of the same. What do you think, does this news make you more or less interested in a G.I. Joe sequel?