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Paramount Pictures and Hasbro, whose previous collaboration was the worldwide blockbuster "Transformers," join forces with Spyglass Entertainment for another extraordinary action-adventure "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is an upcoming live action film adaptation of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy franchise, to be released on August 7, 2009. The film is directed by Stephen Sommers, produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and written by Stuart Beattie. G.I. Joe features an ensemble cast based on the various characters of the franchise. Filming took place in Downey, California and Prague's Barrandov Studios.

From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. JOE team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos. "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra." is directed by Stephen Sommers ("The Mummy," "The Mummy Returns").

Starring: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Said Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans, Dennis Quaid

The film's actors were scanned for Hasbro's toy line, which will begin in July 2009 with the release of 3 3/4 inch tall action figures. The Rise of Cobra toy line also includes 12 inch figures, and vehicles, including the first play set based on the Pit in the franchise's history.[ Electronic Arts is developing a video game sequel to the film, also titled G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

IDW Publishing will release a four-issue prequel written by Chuck Dixon. Each issue focuses on Duke, Destro, the Baroness and Snake-Eyes respectively. It begins publication in March 2009. The weekly film adaptation is written by Denton J. Tipton and drawn by Casey Maloney. The film's universe will be continued by a limited series about Snake-Eyes later in 2009; Ray Park enjoyed playing the character and approached writer Kevin VanHook and artist S. L. Gallant with the idea of a comic further exploring his incarnation of the character.

Special Thanks to: Paramount Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment and Di Bonaventura Pictures for the image used for this article