After returning to the action realm with The Other Guys, Faster, and then the massively successful Fast Five, Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, has signed onto another big blockbuster. Deadline reports the wrestler-turned-actor will join the sequel to Stephen Sommer‘s 2009 hit that brought in over $300m worldwide. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never director Jon Chu will helm the 3D sequel titled G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes.

Johnson will take the role of Roadbloack, a heavy machine gunner and a cook in the franchise. As we know, The Rock had a cameo in the first film, that was cut. They also report Channing Tatum is “a good bet” to return as Duke, while Snake Eyes (Ray Park) and Storm Shadow (Lee Byung-hun) will be coming back. For Paramount, this mega-sequel will replace the spot of Star Trek 2, which likely won’t be making its June 2012 date.

As someone who didn’t like the first film, I have some hope that Johnson can reignite the franchise as he did with Fast and Furious. Chu has shown talent, with Never Say Never getting better reception than many expected. There is no word yet whether Sienna Miller, Marlon Wayans, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Rachel Nichols, Said Taghmaoui, Dennis Quaid, Christopher Eccleston, or Arnold Vosloo will return. We do know Joseph Gordon-Levitt will not be coming back. Stay tuned for updates.

G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes hits theaters on August 10th, 2012 and will begin production late this summer in New Orleans.

Is Johnson a big enough reason for you to check out this sequel if you weren’t already?

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