Lee Byung-hun to begin shooting "G.I. Joe" sequel in June

Official movie poster for "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra" [Paramount Pictures]

Top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun will be leaving for the United States in the summer to take part in filming for the sequal to 2009 Hollywood blockbuster "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."

Lee's agency BH Entertainment made the announcement on Monday, stating that the actor will fly out of Korea in June to reprise his role as Storm Shadow in "G.I. Joe 2" set for release in the summer of 2012.

His agency further explained that Lee's character will be given more emphasis and weight in the second installment currently being penned by Rhett Rheese and Paul Wernick, the writers of the Hollywood flick "Zombieland."

"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," which starred Hollywood actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sienna Miller and Channing Tatum, tells the story about an elite military unit known as G.I. Joe that takes on an evil organization led by a notorious arms dealer.

The action film based on the Hasbro toy line raked in over 300 million dollars worldwide after opening in theaters in August 2009.

Lee, 40, made his debut in 1991 and has starred in a score of dramas and movies. He is considered one of the best actors in Korea, having won many awards throughout his career including the grand prize last year at KBS' Acting Awards for his role in the blockbuster hit TV series "IRIS."

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Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@