NEWS FLASH: Channing Tatum Confirmed as Duke in 2009's 'G. I. Joe'

Although tons of entertainment news sites have been reporting it all day long, we now have an official announcement from the Hollywood Reporter that Channing Tatum has most definitely been cast in the iconic role of Duke, the central character, field commander and second in command in 2009's 'G.I. Joe'.

Channing will join previously confirmed castmates Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Saïd Taghmaoui, Marlon Wayans, Arnold Vosloo and 'Stop-Loss' castmate Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the film that was written by Stuart Beattie and Skip Woods and will be directed by Stephen Sommers.

The movie is scheduled to start filming in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 2008 and is already set to hit US theaters August 7, 2009. You can CLICK HERE to get all of the current release dates for 'G.I. Joe around the world.

Here is the Hollywood Reporter article confirming Channing's new role:

Tatum Will Duke It Out in 'Joe'
By Carly Mayberry
Jan 29, 2008

Channing Tatum has joined the "G.I. Joe" team for Paramount.

Tatum will play Duke, a key leader of the G.I. Joe crew, a role originally thought to be played by Sam Worthington. Worthington, however, could not coordinate the production's schedule with his current work on James Cameron's "Avatar," which has run over schedule.

Tatum, who had been cast in Oliver Stone's My Lai massacre film "Pinkville," found some time in his schedule with that production being put on hold due to the writers strike.

He joins Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Marlon Wayans, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Said Taghmaoui and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the live action film, which is set in the future and based on the popular Hasbro action figures.

Stephen Sommers is directing from the latest script penned by Stuart Beattie.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Hasbro's Brian Goldner are producing with Sommers and Bob Ducsay. The film is scheduled for an August 7th, 2009 release.

The project is turning out to be quite the William Morris package. Tatum is repped by the agency, which also reps Sommers, Hasbro and Wayans.

Tatum, who will appear in the upcoming "Fighting" with Terrence Howard as well as the war drama "Stop Loss" starring Ryan Phillippe, has also been cast in "Public Enemies" for Universal.

Besides WMA, he is repped by Management 360 and attorney Rick Genow of Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson and Binder.

I think Fabulous Channing Tatum Fan and CTU reader Kat of Nashville says it best:

Hollywood should just get smart and cast him in everything. I will personally be at every movie he will be coming out in this year. And in all future years. Channing is an amazing talent. He was so convincing as Antonio in 'Guides'. He blew me away in that role. I think if he was cast in movie about 'How to Clip Your Toenails' I'd be first in line. :-)

Blessings Channing,
Kat, Nashville

I can't agree with Kat more. I admittedly would not have seen G.I. Joe had Channing not been chosen for the film, because I'm notoriously a romantic comedy fan. So here's the smart thing about hiring Channing Tatum...

Whatever kind of movie you put him in, his highly-supportive fans in every corner of the world will not only see it multiple times in the theaters, but we will also buy it on DVD and buy anything else associated with the film just to support him. With two little boys, I'll be the first one in line to get whatever G.I. Joe action figures and accessories Hasbro creates in relationship to this movie.

I'm a true believer in the old adage that everything happens for a reason. We were all disappointed with the postponement of 'Pinkville', but that event actually opened the door for Channing to be able to take this career-changing role and his role in 'Public Enemies'.

Who would have thought that something so good could have come out of the horrible WGA writer's strike? Channing and his team just managed turn lemons into some pretty sweet lemonade and all of us thirsty fans are waiting with empty glasses in hand.

Love Channing Tatum?
Stay in the Know...Subscribe to Channing Tatum Unwrapped: Email | RSS