SMURFS (Sequel News) & G.I JOE 2: RETALIATION (Cast News)

• SMURFS 2

Sony Pictures announced today the studio is moving forward with a sequel to The Smurfs and is putting Smurfs 2 on the release calendar for August 2, 2013. No other films are scheduled for that month yet.

There are no further details about the new film at this time other than the 2013 release date and Jordan Kerner will be producing.

The studio says The Smurfs has exceeded all of their expectations in these first few days of release. In addition the way the film has performed in North America (currently $78.8 million), last weekend 23 markets overseas opened to #1 and the movie has taken in more than $135 million to date worldwide.

• JOE WILL DIE 2 RETALIATE HARD 

Bruce Willis

There was recently a rumour going around that Paramount had Bruce Willis on their wish list to star in G.I. Joe 2. It now looks like that wish can certainly come true as the actor as entered into negotiations with the studio.

The Hollywood Reporter says the Die Hard star is up for the role of the original G.I. Joe himself, the team's founder General Joe Colton.

Jon M. Chu will direct the film, which will star the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Ray Stevenson and Adrianne Palicki.

G.I. Joe 2 starts filming later this month in Louisiana.