G.I. Joe 4: Ever Vigilant is an upcoming installment in the G.I. Joe live-action film series, intended as a sequel to G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013). The film has been in development for several years, with various reports and announcements providing insights into its potential direction.

Development and Production

Initially announced under the working title G.I. Joe 3, Ever Vigilant has undergone several changes in its development phase. D.J. Caruso was attached to direct, with Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec writing the script. The film was originally slated for release on March 27, 2020, but this date was later reassigned to Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins .

As of the latest updates, the film remains in development, with no confirmed release date. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has indicated that multiple scripts are being considered, and the project is still active .

Plot Overview

The proposed storyline involves the G.I. Joe team assembling to thwart the Paoli brothers, Tomax and Xamot, from deploying a weapon of mass destruction based on dark matter technology. This device has the potential to disintegrate its targets into dust, posing a significant threat on a global scale .

Cast and Characters

While the full cast has not been officially confirmed, several actors from previous installments have expressed interest in returning:

• Dwayne Johnson as Roadblock: Johnson portrayed Roadblock in G.I. Joe: Retaliation and has shown interest in reprising his role .

• Bruce Willis as General Joseph Colton: Willis played the original G.I. Joe in the previous film and is expected to return.

• Rachel Nichols as Scarlett: Nichols appeared in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and is anticipated to reprise her role.

• Willem Dafoe as Cobra Commander: Dafoe is rumored to take over the role of Cobra Commander, replacing Joseph Gordon-Levitt .

Ray Park, who portrayed Snake Eyes, has indicated he will not return for this installment, citing the absence of Storm Shadow as a key factor in his decision .

Continuity and Franchise Integration

Ever Vigilant is intended to continue the narrative established in the first two G.I. Joe films, while also considering the rebooted continuity introduced in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. The integration of these timelines remains unclear, and it is uncertain how the events of Snake Eyes will influence the storyline of Ever Vigilant .

Potential Crossover with Transformers

There have been discussions about a potential crossover between the G.I. Joe and Transformers franchises. The ending of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hints at this possibility, with a character being approached by G.I. Joe representatives. In April 2024, it was officially announced that a crossover film is in development, with Derek Connolly hired to write the script .

Current Status and Outlook

As of now, G.I. Joe: Ever Vigilant does not have a confirmed release date. The project remains in development, with various scripts under consideration. The involvement of key actors and the potential for a crossover with the Transformers franchise suggest that the film is a significant part of Paramount’s plans for expanding the G.I. Joe cinematic universe.

For the latest updates and information, you can visit the film’s IMDb page or the G.I. Joe Fandom Wiki.