'G.I. Joe' gets its first cast member, release date

Posted Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 9:59 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

It's incredibly ironic that the first actress cast in next year's G.I. Joe movie is British. After all, the '80s toys from Hasbro were known by their "Real American Hero" tag line.

According to Variety, actress Sienna Miller has been cast for the female lead. While the article doesn't mention the character by name, it does offer up this description:

a raven-haired baroness and sexy femme fatale skilled in espionage

That's gotta be none other than Scarlett, the crossbow-wielding spitfire. Call me an idiot. I saw "female lead" and assumed it was Scarlett. Miller will play Baroness, an intelligence officer for Cobra (the bad guys).

In my casting picks back in August, I had my heart set on Kate Beckinsale for the role. While I'm a bit broken up about it, I do like this choice. More than anything, I look forward to seeing a red-haired Sienna Miller. My picks didn't include the Baroness. I guess there's still hope for Kate as Scarlett. Sienna will look great in black hair as well. (I still have my fingers crossed for Thomas Jane as Duke.)

The subject of constant attention from the British tabloids, the beautiful Miller may be best known to Americans for her public relationship with Jude Law. Oh yeah, she's also an actress. Her recent credits include Stardust, Factory Girl, and Interview.

Paramount has also slotted the movie for a Aug. 7, 2009 theatrical release. That has it currently scheduled against the Sony remake of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta.

Stephen Sommers is directing the G.I. Joe movie.