Bruce Willis is in negotiations to take on the role of the original G.I. Joe, General Joe Colton in G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation.  Though the General Colton character never appeared in any of the G.I. Joe animated series, he was included in the G.I. Joe comics and in the Hasbro G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of toys.  According to his 1994 file card, Colton was a Green Beret officer who was instructed by President John F. Kennedy to command the “ultimate freedom fighting force” and who received the code name “G.I. Joe.”

G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation is being directed by Jon M. Chu (see “Paramount Narrows Choice for G.I. Joe Helmer”).  According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio plans to begin shooting later this month for a June 29th, 2012 release date.  Willis will likely join a cast that includes Channing Tatum, Ray Park, Lee Byung-hun, Elodie Yung, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, RZA, Adrianne Palicki, and Ray Stevenson (see “Volstagg to Play G.I. Joe Villain).