The "G.I. Joe" team now has a fearless leader, and he'll be played by ... Marlon Wayans? Yes, Variety is reporting that the star of "Little Man" and "White Chicks" is set to play Ripcord in the movie version of the popular toy. And while he has diversified his resume with roles in "Requiem for a Dream" and "The Ladykillers," you have to wonder if director Stephen Sommers ("The Mummy") and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura ("Transformers") are hunting for a little too much comic relief with this selection.

Set 10 years in the future, the war-themed, potential blockbuster is based on Hasbro's popular line of American soldier action figures that most moviegoers, similarly to "Transformers," will remember from a popular '80s animated series. The big-screen version is set at Brussels-based GIJOE, or the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity, which revolves around an international force of operatives who use advanced technology to battle Cobra, an evil terrorist organization headed by a Scottish arms dealer (yet to be cast). Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("The Lookout") is also in negotiations to join the cast, which already includes Sienna Miller playing an unnamed, raven-haired femme fatale, Rachel Nichols ("P2") as Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara, Said Taghmaoui ("The Kite Runner") as Breaker, Ray Park as Snake Eyes and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje ("Lost") as Heavy Duty.

Production is expected to begin next month in Los Angeles. Paramount Pictures will release the flick Aug. 7, 2009. And, of course, knowing is half the battle.

Next column: Christina Ricci looks for love as "Penelope" and hits the track for "Speed Racer"; plus, much more.

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