G.I. Joe, directed by Stephen Sommers (The Mummy Returns, Van Helsing) will be one of the most expensive productions ever made at Barrandov, Chreneková said. Van Helsing was also shot in the Czech Republic. Paramount Pictures (www.paramountpictures.com), Di Bonaventura Pictures and American toy company Hasbro, Inc. (www.hasbro.com), which created the popular character, are co-producing the movie.

On the Czech side, Stillking Films (www.stillking.com) is cooperating with the project, which is planned for release in August 2009. The cast includes Sienna Miller, Channing Tatum, Rachel Nichols and Dennis Quaid.

Vladimír Kuba, general director of Barrandov Studio, described the plotline this way: "An elite military unit comprising special operatives known as G.I.J.O.E., operating out of The Pit, takes on an evil organization led by a notorious arms dealer."

The production crew will use both Ateliers 8 and 9 at the studios, along with making exterior shots.