Ever since it was confirmed that Dennis Quaid would be playing General Hawk in Stephen Sommers' G.I. Joe, production on the film has seemed to rocket forward, with nearly all of the cast being announced, and production beginning this week. But the cartoon and toy line is known for having a great number of memorable characters, and fans have wondered which of their favorites would make the cut. Quaid recently spoke with MTV, and confirmed some of the members of the G.I. Joe and Cobra forces that we would see.

Quaid confirmed that among the Joes we would not see are such classic characters as Shipwreck, Wild Bill, Roadblock, Flin, Gung-Ho, Lady Jaye and Bazooka. Additionally, classic Cobra villains Major Bludd, Tomax and Xamot and the Dreadnoks won't be appearing. At least not in the first film.

"They're not there," Quaid said, thinking back to the script. "They may be in the second one, though."

However, while fans may gripe about the absence of their favorite characters, Quaid did offer some details of the script that should keep them happy. "G.I. Joe is kind of close to James Bond, the old James Bond with Dr. No," Quaid said of the script he'll begin shooting soon. "[Cobra is like] S.P.E.C.T.R.E., where they take over an entire island and are a sort of crime country unto themselves."

Quaid also said that while he will not be the one to deliver the iconic "Yo Joe!" battle-cry in the film, he does get to deliver another line that has long been linked to the franchise.

"I say: 'Knowing is half the battle,' " Quaid revealed.

G.I. Joe is being directed by Stephen Sommers, and stars Dennis Quaid (General Hawk), Channing Tatum (Duke), Ray Parks (Snake Eyes), Rachel Nichols (Scarlett), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Heavy Duty), Said Taghmaoui (Breaker), Marlon Wayans (Ripcord), Christopher Eccelston (Destro), Sienna Miller (the Baroness) and Byung-hun Lee (Storm Shadow), and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Duke's best friend, and possibly Cobra Commander). The film is scheduled to come to theatres August 7, 2009.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was released August 7th, 2009 and stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung-hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce. The film is directed by Stephen Sommers.