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G.I. JOE Executive Producer/Hasbro COO Talks About The Sommers Movie With MTV!!

first by all	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:01:29 PM

Why the exclamation marks? by kwisatzhaderach	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:02:01 PM
Is anyone excited about a Stephen Sommers film?
sommers and cgi by all	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:02:34 PM
god I hate how all of his flicks culminate in a series of poorly directed and animated cartoon fights.
A Disaster in the making...??? by superduper3000	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:05:00 PM
I'm not sure about this one at all. I admit that I bitched and moaned and called the anti-Transformers nerds over the top...but damn if GI-JOE sounds like a mess of shit that doesn't need to happen....anyone agree?? Persepolis Review! http://tinyurl.com/3xuzxk
It Will Be Stupid by The Ender Smites Foes	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:12:14 PM
Just like the cartoon
Knowing is half the battle by tough_times	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:14:24 PM
Did they ever explain what the other half was? Blowing crap up with no deaths? Is that how you win a battle? Or shooting down a plane and the pilot always parachutes out? Or is it an all out ground battle and no one can hit anything? Yeah, that's how we won WWII.
just weird by rartus	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:15:25 PM
...just can't reconcile what is being peiced together with something that's gonna rock I am gonna go ahead and say we're going to get some great "tease" though, a la the Van Helsing images. Hope the follow through is better this time around.
Larry Hama is on? GOOD. I have hope for this project now. by Squashua	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:16:06 PM
Having Larry Hama on board builds confidence from the fanboys.
Hasn't GI Joe Already Been Made Once? by bobinnova	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:20:36 PM
Joe Dante directed it back in 1998 and called it "Small Soldiers". It had Denis Leary, Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman (in one of his last movies), and Jay Mohr all battling these GI Joe like action figures that come to life battling the Gorgonites. The CGI kicked butt at the time and earned a PG-13.
Small Soldiers was great by kwisatzhaderach	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:26:58 PM
Come back Joe Dante!!!
Was Sommers responsible for... by FILMFUNK	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:27:07 PM
Van Helsing was an Unwatchable, CG shitstorm!
Larry Hama by Bloo	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:33:42 PM
makes me unboard, albiet still somewhat uneasy however Cahnning Tatum is still to young and there is noway JGL, no matter how good he was in Brick, can be Cobra Commander
I demand a CHUCK NORRIS KARATE KOMMANDO movie! by DerLanghaarige	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:35:36 PM

People are talking crap now..... by GibsonUSA	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:36:10 PM
But once this movie gets prepped for release, get ready for a tidal wave of plants and undercover advertisers flooding this Talkback and articles with nonstop praise and defense, a la Transformers. Well, maybe not...this isnt by Michael Bay.
Small Soldiers was not great by systemsbroom	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:36:16 PM
and this undoubtedly won't be, either. This movie is being made because titling a movie "GI Joe" gets you like a $100 million worth of advertising/promotion for free.
Cobra Commander's Day Off by slone13	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:36:22 PM
Still funny http://tinyurl.com/246bab
Stephen fucking Sommers? by Motoko Kusanagi	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:38:44 PM
Then it'll suck. Heavily. Give it to Bay instead. Then at least it'll fucking rock. Like TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION!!!!!!
THE MUMMY WAS GOOD by ClockWorker	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:40:04 PM
VAN HELSING was beyond a travesty
A friend... by hakai	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:42:51 PM
of mine is working on the animatics. He said its going to suck. Snake Eyes speaks. You see Snake Eyes face. The Baroness uses a stripper pole to escape up into a plane... Originally was going to be a balloon that expanded from a cane... lame!
Aint It Other Peoples News by unionJACKass.webs.com	Mar 3rd, 2008 01:57:25 PM
AICN hardly get a scoop anymore.
G.I. JOKE: A REAL UNITED NATIONS SELL-OUT by uss cygnus	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:03:26 PM
Cobra Commander would be welcomed at the U.N. as a hero, because he hates America, too. A REAL AMERICAN HERO OR DEATH, BABY.
Who gives a fuck by Rat Fink	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:05:16 PM
look I grew up in the 80's. I grew up on G.I. Joe. I was a huge fan but this movie is gonna be shit. All they are doing is taking the GI Joe name and putting it in front of a lame action movie. Fuck that. If they're gonna do a Joe movie they have to have Cobra and the original storyline. This movie will bomb.
I usually don't come here by Rat Fink	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:09:57 PM
to get the latest scoop or breaking news about movie. I just come to talk about 'em. There are other sites that will have the story hours even days before AICN. I'll check there for latest info then come here and talk about it whenever they post it.
uss cygnus is a genius by systemsbroom	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:10:33 PM
yes, because the united nations hates the US. Like when it softly criticizes the US for starting wars in the middle east despite the fact that the whole point of the UN (and the reason that the US spearheaded founding the UN) was to prevent nations from starting wars with each other. Buncha reckless peacemongers. We showed them!
Huh.... by ProfGriffin	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:14:09 PM
I dunno. I want it to be fun and nostalgic...and I want to see old Cobra Commander onscreen larger than and twice as blue. But I need to not be so focused on what I want to see and just take what I can get. Destro leads Cobra? How Cobra Commander comes to power? NO! Cobra Commander is the supreme cobra! Although I like Arnold Vosloo as Zartan. Will we get dreadnoks? sigh. I don't want to hope too much.
Hama will save us all! by Stereotypical Evil Archer	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:19:41 PM
A lot of the wackyness will be gone, there will be some, but not like the cartoon. I don't know about Sommers, didn't he do Van Helsing? That movie was terrible. Sommers has the wiz-bang, but does he have the story ability? Let's put it this way, is he good enough with actors to let the story flow, or will be end up with another edit hack job?
Larry Hama rocks! by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:25:54 PM
His scripts were the best. I think he even wrote some Joe cartoon episodes.
I could edit Transformers into a good 45 minute movie. by Stereotypical Evil Archer	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:30:40 PM
Thank the evil that is Cobra-La that Michael Bay is not involved with this G.I. Joe movie. I would have forced Joe Carnahan to direct this one!
There Will Be Foolishness. by tHeGRinGoGenTiLE	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:33:00 PM
A better movie would be me, recording myself with my camera phone, typing this.
However... by tHeGRinGoGenTiLE	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:33:21 PM
The Zartan casting is pretty genius.
Fuck Europe for calling them Action Force by Alkeoholic77	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:37:34 PM
It's GI Joe god damn it! Not action force!
Hasbro Has Been in the PooPer since they left Cincinnati by mistergreen	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:38:07 PM
They're relying on 20-30 year old toys to make them money. They haven't developed new toys in years.
Don't Get the Casting by Mr Slippy Fist	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:45:57 PM
The guys playing Cobra Commander and Duke are only 27 years old?!?! Seriously, is this GI Joe the teenage years?
Destro and Cobra Commander... by hakai	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:48:27 PM
were are always battling for the thrown.
Throne by hakai	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:49:08 PM
Throne ;)
I quote: "This movie is being made by Motoko Kusanagi	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:49:29 PM
"because titling a movie "GI Joe" gets you like a $100 million worth of advertising/promotion for free." Looool! That one was good.
Titling a movie GI JOE is stupid 'cause by Motoko Kusanagi	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:51:31 PM
some moviegoing morons might think that it'll be the sequel to GI JANE...
Motoko Kusanagi, even if "moviegoing morons" by systemsbroom	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:54:16 PM
mistake GI Joe for a sequel to GI Jane, they are still aware of the movie, which is more than they would be if the movie was Generic Military Action Movie.
Motoko, I should also point out by systemsbroom	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:55:16 PM
that the only reason that this movie is being discussed here at all is because of its title.
Hama ~is~ 80s Marvel comics G.I. Joe by Dingbatty	Mar 3rd, 2008 02:59:48 PM
yet I fear for how much input he will be allowed. And the U.N. team concept sucks eggs.
Why all the hate for Van Helsing? by Tourist	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:03:50 PM
I mean, I know the movie I saw was a fucking steaming pile of unwatchable shit, but didn't Harry love it? He really enjoyed it right? The Mummy 2 aswell?
VAN HELSING WAS GAAAHBAGE by JBouganim1	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:09:26 PM

AS A FILM MAJOR by filmgenius	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:12:07 PM
And graduate of Harvard. HARVARD. I am in wholeheartedly looking towardford to this film. Is it just me or is MTV starting to be cranker out many of quality film lately? I was even being in a discussion of this during my classes in pertenation to film, MTV is starting to be more legitimacy than most Indie companies. What do you all think?
Let's see a Wayans brother and a teenage Cobra commander... by Rufferto	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:13:48 PM
This get worse and worse as the details come together. Sheez.
Can't be any worse than the animated movie by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:14:00 PM
Man, that blew. Even as a kid I knew that sucked.
MTV = Step Up 2 the Streets by GibsonUSA	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:14:46 PM
Featuring white kids from prep school showing those violent street kids how its done. Legitimate?
I dont think you paid attention in class... by Tourist	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:15:04 PM
...I'm not sure how a legitimate mega conglomerate producing a enormous budget light action designed purposely to sell merchandise, with no regard to film making quality at all equates to a company who produces top drawer faux indie pictures. The MTV logo might look like the Paramount Vantage one to you. Aren't they owned by the same people?
Step Up made more money than Rent did. by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:16:37 PM
Ha.
My mistake. by GibsonUSA	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:17:39 PM
MTV was the one that did HOW SHE MOVE....(WAAAAAAAY more legitimate than Step Up 2 the Streets)......:-\
filmgenius by Mr. Nice Gaius	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:21:03 PM
What do I think? I think you need to go back to Harvard and take an English class. They still teach spelling and diction in college, right?!
HAMA also wrote the 3d cartoon short by Rufferto	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:21:30 PM
And that sucked. It all depends on how much control he has has and he'll have none. Sommers already has a shitty idea of what he wants and he obviously wont let anyone stray from that. You can tell by the interview how bad it will be because like so many before he pretends to be a fan of the book and then spews nonsense that never came from it and throws fans nothing but scraps knowing they'll eat it up.
Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura says... by Mr. Nice Gaius	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:23:15 PM
...this movie will be great. Ummm...yeah.
If This Movie Makes Money by bobinnova	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:24:13 PM
Do we have the following to look forward to from Hasbro? "Cootie" with a Cloverfield angle? Hungry Hungry Hippos featuring Steve Carrell, Jim Carrey, Queen Latifah, and Cameron Diaz as the hippos? Mr. Potato Head starring Shia Lebeouf? Tell the Hasbro COO to stop turning toys into movies!
I meant Goldner by Rufferto	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:25:34 PM
pardon but well he's speaking for the entire production, anyway.
G.I. JOE wins BARBIE from KEN on tv commercial by JDanielP	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:25:55 PM
What a laugh that was. Remember that?
Sounds like a job for!!! by Dr. Stanley Goodspeed	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:30:14 PM
Michael Bay!
DUMBTARDS HERE... by filmgenius	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:31:52 PM
Might i be reminding you that it's you whose the one that's not smart. This statement will be of the characerization of riskayness, and call me anti-sexual if it is that who you want, but those who are neglecting the legitness of MTV are fucking gay. Say what to that?
I remember the old cartoon where Roadblock breakdanced by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:33:19 PM
and Snake Eyes did the Twist.
filmgenius by Mr. Nice Gaius	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:33:54 PM
In the words of the Virgin Mary: Come again?
Latino review gave the new script a A+ by ganymede3010	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:34:51 PM
Everyone knows the first script recieved an F. So ED must of been really impressed about what he saw in the revamped script. I still think this movie is going to suck. The cast is fucking atrocious.
MR. NICE GAIUS by filmgenius	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:39:29 PM
Obviously your are the one in need of an education. What are you waning again?
In other possilbe nerdy news by blindambition238	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:41:09 PM
... that wont be on this site for a good while... Kevin Conroy is apparently doing the voicework on that new fangled Batman DVD.
Why Don't We by zombiezeus	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:45:48 PM
Come up with our own G.I. Joe movie ideas? It's GOT to be better than what they'll come up with... Though I have a feeling I know what KIND of movie they're going to make: http://blog.thecomiccollective .com/?p=32#comment-67
"Exectutive" ? by alienindisguise	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:53:47 PM
What, is that another title for someone who doesn't know shit about movies? Show me some pics of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow and perhaps my hate will subside.
filmgenius by Mr. Nice Gaius	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:54:41 PM
I need an education? Have you read your own statements?! Quote: "I am in wholeheartedly looking towardford to this film." "Might i be reminding you that it's you whose the one that's not smart." "This statement will be of the characerization of riskayness, and call me anti-sexual if it is that who you want, but those who are neglecting the legitness of MTV are fucking gay." That last statement is one hell of a sentence, dude. I'm talking 24K gold. I'm sorry; I don't mean to nitpick. But if you're a Harvard graduate, we're all fucking doomed.
"HARVARD" by GibsonUSA	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:57:19 PM
Harvard Community College you mean? I have a group of buddies that attend Harvard (and MIT) over there and none would really say..."I'm from Harvard.HARVARD."
They changed the name to GI JOE GOLNDER??? by Mysterious Yobo	Mar 3rd, 2008 03:59:24 PM
that sucks.
gaius by BigTexas42	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:20:37 PM
I'm pretty sure good ol filmgenius is fucking with you. he's doing his best "i do not speak of the inglish" impression. it smacks of "all your base are belong now to us" or whatever the hell that was. feel free to continue, though, as I am enjoying the conversation slightly.
Feeling a bit better by BizarroJerry	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:24:34 PM
I mean, at least this guy sounds like he knows what he's doing. I m not really thrilled with many plot details so far, but I'll keep an open mind.
Slow news day by kafka07	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:28:23 PM
and what the hell is a COO anyway??
The Mummy was good by BizarroJerry	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:46:54 PM
I liked the Mummy. Fun movie. The Mummy Returns was, of course, a steaming pile.
Marlon Wayans = Ripcord by sith_rising	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:47:40 PM
there's absolutely no defending this piece of shit. It reminds me of that episode of American Dad where they're making that horrible film. I was never one of those "Bayformers will suck" guys, and I never said, "Lucas raped my childhood", but this film will fucking suck, hands down.
The "rise" of cobra by Rufferto	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:47:53 PM
this interview and the casting seems to confirm the rumors that Cobra will not be Cobra commander's creation and he will actually be a disfigured super soldier that was friends with the wigger playing Duke I believe and he will probably seize Cobra from Destro at the end of the movie. LOL "I WAS ONCE A MAAAAAAAAAN."
QUICK Someone think of something worse by Rufferto	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:48:54 PM
we need to start lowering our expectations now!
Duke Cobra Commander + Marlon Wayans by Rufferto	Mar 3rd, 2008 04:50:09 PM
childhood friends.
Does anyone here, honestly, think this will be good? by SkinJob69	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:01:54 PM

tomaxamot by lucid dreamstate	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:04:47 PM
they were my all time favorites. i'm sure they won't include them in the movie but it would be nice.
They can go ahead and mess this up... by otm shank	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:10:51 PM
as long as they don't fuck up Robotech.
Creepy, all that info and you couldnt even get by Mysterious Yobo	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:18:45 PM
his fucking e-mail.
re: Hasbro Has Been in the PooPer since they left Cincinnati by Alkeoholic77	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:19:05 PM
Ummmm... they are the number one of the largest toy companies in the world second to Mattel.
Gilbert Godfrey for Cobra Commander! by Alkeoholic77	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:19:52 PM
'nuff said.
The REAL reason why this will fail: by JiveTalker	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:33:06 PM
(...and it's not because of the casting). This project is doomed from the start because of the inherently patriotic/nationalistic quotient of the franchise itself. They are basically damned if they do and damned if they don't on this one. By softening the patriotism, "globalizing" the story and taking the piss out of the guts-and-glory-Americana, they are completely alienating the Joe fanbase. But if they were to keep a jingoistic American storyline it would most likely alienate absolutely everybody else (it would probably especially hurt international box office), since we're not exactly in the right climate these days to go ra-ra on American militarism. So, either way they're fucked from the get-go. A crap director and stunt casting is the least of their problems. Although admittedly if I were one of their writers/producers/strategists, I probably would have advised them to not make it PC and just stick to the all-American thing, figuring that it's better to please the fanbase you can count on to put butts in the seats. All this Euro thing is going to do is ensure that Joe fans talk shit for months and maybe even ultimately boycott the film, while meanwhile people who weren't into GI Joe in the first place still won't be, and certainly won't be enticed by the watered-down PC premise to check it out.
Way to talk out of your ass. by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:35:35 PM
Rot in hell.
I'd love for this movie to be at least a marginal success like T by thedarklinglord	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:42:03 PM
Because, like Transformers, I have a bunch of classic '80s action figures I'd love to eBay and make a mini fortune from. If the movie is remotely watchable, it may rekindle an interest and increase the likelihood of getting top dollar for the figures. Beyond that, I don't give a shit about this movie and, in my opinion, it was doomed to maximum suckage the instant Sommers was attached to direct.
marginal success ??? by slkboxrman	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:45:58 PM
wtf are u smoking ? ur saying transformers was a "marginal success" ?? i think u need to check a few facts and figures and box office tallys
Couldn't people be overestimating the American aspect? by blindambition238	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:46:15 PM
I understand how an pro-US military film might be seen by the backers as a risk, but when you consider the past big budget summer blockbusters from Independence Day to Transformers, I think the other world markets are pretty much used to these things kind of now. Granted things changed a lot in the past 8 or so years, but I think as long as they lace this with enough marketing and explosions as we can expect them to, an American GIJoe will still do major bank across the globe. Sure they'll probably scoff and laugh at it when they're in the cinemas, and the critics will rip into it, but the main point is theyll come anyways. Any thoughts?
all the hate by slkboxrman	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:48:51 PM
i loved mummy and van helsing.... u people need to stop critiquing cgi like u think u could do better...i saw no problems with the cg in either film....and this movie sounds like it will be awesome...cant wait to see what they come up with, and a teaser trailer this summer will be great.
Creepy Thin Man Speaks Truth!!! by TomBodet	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:52:24 PM
Noted_Auteur Mikey_Bay IS the man for the job-but Sommers-he's a good choice, too.
MTV = SHIT by slkboxrman	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:55:34 PM
ever since they stopped playing music all day...if they did produce the movie "how she move" they should be ashamed...its bad english and makes no sense.......and what makes less sense is that theyre making "step up 3D" .....these dance movies are dumb and should stop being made...is there anything new to it besides silly dancing and retarded characters....
blindambition by JiveTalker	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:56:10 PM
I know what you're saying but I think your post contains the seeds of why it's a different climate today: THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT IN THE PAST 8 YEARS. We are in a post-Bush age where people are troubled by and critical of the American military establishment. Independence Day did well, sure, but that was '96, and I think Transformers' success had zero to do with its military/soldier themes and everything to do with giant fucking robots. I just see the GI Joe franchise as a different story, and again, it's all about the sociopolitical context and the timing. Joe probably would have done well in '96, but in 2008/2009, I think this baby is doomed....
Giant Fucking Robots are cool. by TomBodet	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:57:34 PM
GI Joe-well not so much-to ME, but that counts for nada. Maybe this will be fun, who knows?
Hama is a consultant only by Jack Colby	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:57:50 PM
The script is done, and it's not like the Marvel comic universe. Comic fans, give up on it or there will be bigger disappointment down the road. It's not "our" GI Joe... just get used to that idea. Don't listen to the sweet-talk from the production, it's their job to keep as many on board as possible until our asses are in the theater seats and our money in their pockets.
Where?? by Stopsign	Mar 3rd, 2008 05:58:21 PM
is all the dragonball news?!?!?!
TomBodet, go back to sleep by crazyhorse2099	Mar 3rd, 2008 06:01:00 PM
Your posts are a lot more insteresting when they're nothing but ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Ever since TPM came out people think they're directors by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 06:04:15 PM
writers and casting directors.
GI Joe was already an "international" missions force by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 06:22:19 PM
There's people from all walks of life in the Joe team.
RE: Jivetalker by blindambition238	Mar 3rd, 2008 06:31:38 PM
Okay, i sort of did understate that point about the times and all, but as you said, Transformers was a big success despite Bay's characteristic "America fuck yea!" portrayal of the army due to the big ass robots blowing shit up... blinding spectacles over shallow-ass story and themes; and it is that reason why I don't think making the GIJoes American will be that big of a deal. After all, it looks like most people here have agreed more or less that Stephen Sommers is a Michael Bay equivalent/ substitute and that this movie will just be another product. So whether or not the Joes are based in Brussels or Stateside won't matter because there's probably going to be little to no political intrigue or commentary, just sfx, explosions, and one-liners strung together. It's going to be your (typical) modern summer blockbuster, based on a toyline, that nobody will expect to be taken seriously, and therefore totally not worth getting worked up over as long as it entertains them for the next 2 hrs or so. Hell, if this film turns out as bad as some people here expect it to, then a gung-ho pro-American military slant might make the film even more popular overseas... an unintentional live-action Team America.
holy shit, big typo... replace' will' with 'won't' by blindambition238	Mar 3rd, 2008 06:32:31 PM
in the 3rd line
Larry Hama by NubtheSquirrel	Mar 3rd, 2008 06:46:09 PM
Is on? Then I really have faith that this won't be too bad. If anything at least it will be vastly better than Street Fighter. Or at least the G.I Joe animated movie. It said in the article that Hama might even be in the movie. Could that possibly mean Tunnel Rat?
Jeff Healy Died! by CountryBoy	Mar 3rd, 2008 06:47:31 PM
I know he was no Heath Ledger, but still, a great talent.
blindambition by JiveTalker	Mar 3rd, 2008 07:17:27 PM
Hmm, actually I see your point. I completely agree that "blinding spectacles + shallow-ass story and themes" is obviously a winning blockbuster formula, and I'm sure that's what they're going for here. Sommers is certainly their affordable Michael Bay (and accordingly, even more of a hack). And I'm sure you're right that they will water down any overt politics in favor of a bland vanilla plot, while the real stars of the show will be lots of CG and blowing shit up preceded by cringe-worthy one-liners. All true. And yet...despite the example of Transformers as having all these elements and being a success, there's still something about this project that I feel will simply not work. I think people will either find it utterly distasteful (critics, non-Joe-fans) or utterly disappointing (old school Joe fans). It's tricky with this loaded subject matter, no matter how much they try to neuter it. They can't both reinforce and subvert the status quo, and by trying to force a franchise with a history and roots in patriotism into something palatably neutral and globally acceptable, they will both offend the oldschool fanbase and declaw the material. And shmucks like me who were never into the appallingly jingoistic franchise in the first place (only the fantastic 1945 movie The Story of GI Joe that doesn't have anything to do with Hasbro) won't be convinced (or give a crap) that their global PC kumbaya version is anything to shell out $10 bucks for. And with that, I can't believe I've just spent the better part of my day writing about GI Joe on a message board. New low?....
We need us some GoBots, COPS, and MASK up in this mofo! by MrMysteryGuest	Mar 3rd, 2008 07:40:23 PM

Joseph Gordon Levitt is a great actor, and will be in by CreasyBear	Mar 3rd, 2008 08:01:24 PM
many solid movies by talented directors. Already has been, in fact, so G.I. Joe does seem an odd choice, considering Stephen Sommers (or however it's spelled)makes emotionless, bombastic, goofball action movies. Odder still: Gordon-Levitt playing Cobra Commander?! Like any other 80's brat, though, I loved G.I. Joe and the cool-ass vehicles dripping with fifty types of projectiles. But yeah, this movie will be, at best, on par with Transformers, both box office-wise and quality-wise. Take that as you will.
GI Joe was never particularly patriotic by systemsbroom	Mar 3rd, 2008 08:02:48 PM
I mean, aside from the title and the slogan, nothing in the moving-pictures cartoon was particularly US-centric. The main characters bounced around all over the planet, almost entirely without reference to things like other countries. The GI Joe characters also never seemed to interact with any sort of political leadership (occasionally, they'd consult a general or something), and their home base frankly could have been anywhere. Maybe the still image cartoons were different, but I don't see the need to throw in a lot of jingoistic stuff in order to keep this "material" true to its roots.
Ian McKellen IS Papa Smurf! by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 08:12:33 PM
In the live action Smurfs movie.
Who cares if GI Joe is patriotic or not. It's a damn movie. by Mr Spork	Mar 3rd, 2008 08:39:09 PM
It will undoubtedly suck, but will not tarnish my fond childhood memories of the cartoon.
AT LEAST wait for a trailer people... by moto	Mar 3rd, 2008 08:46:15 PM
Same ole TBer shit. Haven't read the script, haven't even seen a real G.I. Joe-ish image to pick apart like this generation does. You know nothing about the movie besides that it has the G.I. Joe brand. Hell, even LatinoReview, die hard Joe fans who were disgusted with the Skip Woods draft, reviewed this latest script and gave it a resounding A+... saying that Joe fans will be thrilled by it. Yet, despite that solid good script review (as opposed to the terrible script review of the early Transformers draft), people are already pissing and moaning. Seriously, are you that protective of yourself after the disappointment of Phantom Menace that you'll shit on a movie without having seen ANYTHING? Fact of the matter is, when an adaptation happens THERE WILL BE CHANGES. It is inevitable. Beyond that, we don't even know what those changes are yet so CHILL THE FUCK OUT;) I'll never understand the need to shit on a movie when we haven't seen ANYTHING. Not one trailer. Not one image besides the ones with Tatum and Sienna Miller (Which were pretty good... meaning they seemed to be set well within the real world and not too Van Damme Street Fighter-like). No, the only hard evidence we have is the great review rating of the current script that Sommers is directing. Which obviously gives no reason to worry THUS FAR. The casting is neither here nor there... just fine for me, besides my only worry which is Marlon Wayans... but who knows, maybe he bulks up a bit and plays it straight with some fun quips. Either way, it's WAAAAAAAY too premature to say it's going to bomb and suck. Funny thing is, Tranformers was the one the naysayers were saying was going to BOMB. Yeah, not so much. Some people here may not have liked that one, but over $500 million worth of viewers worldwide beg to differ.
WILLEM DAFOE SHOULD'VE BEEN COBRA COMMANDER!!! by Shermdawg	Mar 3rd, 2008 08:46:40 PM
Oh well, here's hope for a Starscream recasting in Trannys 2.
Fuck Sommers by ballyhoo	Mar 3rd, 2008 08:54:48 PM
His films suck. Fuck him.
It could be worse. It could be George Romereo's by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 09:04:05 PM
Zombie Gi Joe.
Springfield by CloakAndZipper	Mar 3rd, 2008 09:04:48 PM
I'm pretty sure they're home base was in Springfield. Same as the Simpsons.
I never thought it should be "patriotic"... by BizarroJerry	Mar 3rd, 2008 09:22:54 PM
or "jingoistic", but should be American. Just cuz, that's what they are. I mean the term "G.I. Joe" implies Americans. I dislike the addition of any politics to the making of this movie...
GI JOE is never patriotic by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 09:26:50 PM
It's just a kids cartoon. The story lines never had any more weight to them than your average cereal commercial.
Yep, totally a joke account. by Shermdawg	Mar 3rd, 2008 09:52:28 PM
Totally.
BizarroJerry, no politics . . . by systemsbroom	Mar 3rd, 2008 09:55:41 PM
. . . only marketing. You can't sell US-led interventionist soldiers fighting terrorism (even the goofy, blue-masked kind) to non-US audiences, and they make up half the projected box office gross for something like this. Anyway, the name "GI Joe" may imply "Americans" but the only reason it's at play here is because it'll give a mediocre action film a whole lot of free advertising.
GI Joe was just ome guy serving in WW II by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 10:00:36 PM
That was a war that involved pretty much everyone.
de-patriot-i-fied ??? by BetaSword	Mar 3rd, 2008 10:17:52 PM
As far as i know, GI Joe was absolutely over-patriotified. Apparently, it seems to be 90%patriotism seen, as i got it from my point of view(seen some Ads on youtube&co)
The A stands for France.. by Jobacca	Mar 3rd, 2008 10:30:39 PM
Regarding the whole "International Angle",I cant wait for MARVEL to make Captain:Steve Rogers. He'll wear an all black leather costume with some blue highlights and work for the international anti-terrorist organization S.H.I.E.L.D.,who patrols the world from their heli-carrier high above international waters...just dont say the A word,Cap!
Also,S.H.I.E.L.D. will stand for... by Jobacca	Mar 3rd, 2008 10:33:04 PM
Sharing Helping Imagine Everyone Loving Dorritos! (expect heavy product placement...instead of smoking a cigar Nick Fury will munch on a bag of cool ranch chips!)
Popcorn Family Movie..... by TiNSeLToWN TeRRoR	Mar 3rd, 2008 10:45:15 PM
....and yup, thats what it is a F-ing Popcorn Movie. Also they got the perfect director for it too. The kids will dig it and the fanboys who the fuck knows, we will wait and see. But the Ain't it cool newski's will hate it, cause they already do like always. Also moto, great post!
I heard.... by Jobacca	Mar 3rd, 2008 10:49:28 PM
That the first half of the movie is going to be GIANT ROBOTS wandering around the desert looking for GI Joe. Then the last half of the movie is going to be about hilarious black computer hackers running around like stereotypes trying to prove the existence of GI Joe. Then we may actually see GI Joe onscreen for 5 minutes,but they'll be all CGI and Roadblock will have flames on his nipples. It will go on to gross 500 million dollars though because people are stupid!
Lol Transformers fans still bitter. by skywalkerfamily	Mar 3rd, 2008 10:55:55 PM
Better call in the bitter police.
I HOPE JOE HOOKS UP WITH BARBIE by BringingSexyBack	Mar 3rd, 2008 11:06:56 PM
Just like they used to do under my parents' coffee table.
THE BUDGET............ by y7jver01	Mar 4th, 2008 12:45:46 AM
In August 2009, we'll see it with our own eyes. In the meantime, "G.I. Joe" continues to shoot all over the world, with a budget so huge that it makes the U.S.S. Flagg aircraft carrier play set look like something you'd get at a 99-cent store. So how much is that actually???
GibsonUSA by lensproject	Mar 4th, 2008 12:56:20 AM
Um, actually, the rule about people who went to Harvard is that they will mention they went there within the first 60 seconds of any conversation. (Because they want you to cower in appreciation of how smart they really are, when in actuality there's really not a whole lot goin' on up there, in my experience.) But back to Sommers: WHY DO THEY GIVE THIS GUY MOVIES TO DIRECT??? HOLLYWOOD, CAN'T YOU JUST COMB THROUGH THE TOP FILM SCHOOLS A LITTLE MORE THOROUGHLY!??!
Boba Fett went to Harvard by skywalkerfamily	Mar 4th, 2008 01:22:02 AM
I was at a con and Jeremy Bulloch saw my Harvard shirt (I don't go there), and he goes, "Hey! You went to Harvard!" and I had to go, "Uh, no. Sorry." But it was cool to know Boba Fett went to Harvard!
Um.. Rape... Er.. Childhood... by jimbojones123	Mar 4th, 2008 03:18:34 AM
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!
Old New...No Dreadnoks...and Eric Bana should've been Zartan!!! by Monkey_King	Mar 4th, 2008 04:20:13 AM
Gerard Butler would've owned as Destro.
Larry Hama by Mr Writer	Mar 4th, 2008 04:27:49 AM
His run on Wolverine absolutely rocked. It fell apart a bit towards the end of his run, but he's one of the defining writers on Wolverine and wrote some of THE classic issues. For that he will always have my respect
Mama huh? by sonnyfern	Mar 4th, 2008 04:33:12 AM
Pretty interesting! I WANT TO SEE THE NINJAS!
Roadblock by a rolling stone	Mar 4th, 2008 05:38:27 AM
Why isn't Mr. Eko playing Roadblock? Everything I've read has him cast as some other guy, and now I think Common is supposed to be Roadblock? Roadblack was huge! He could literally block a road, hence the name. Eko is likewise huge, right? And where the hell is Shipwreck? Josh Holloway should be all over that bad boy. Give Sawyer a parrot and add him to the cast. And if there is a Spirit, don't use Lou Diamond Phillips.
Cwazy Hose!!! EAT ME. by TomBodet	Mar 4th, 2008 05:48:46 AM
And remember to Swallow(Not Spit) for daddy, today.
MrHorse-tell us again: How is Obama just "Kind of black" by TomBodet	Mar 4th, 2008 05:54:53 AM
Most interesting comment sir. And Tiger Williams too-? Really? and you are 'Kind of Gay-?'
OBAMA IS THE MAN!!! by y7jver01	Mar 4th, 2008 06:39:03 AM
Redneck's hate him, The "CIA will" hate him. But normal people Love him. Change Right-Wing crap that is happening right now. Bush started it he couldnt finish it as so many Republic Presidents couldnt finish what they started. But Obama will finish it. Not by killing more people but by giving them a solution to thier problems. The Republicans choose an 80 year old geezer who will be livin in life support very soon. Its gonna be a no contest boys!!! Might as well save ur time and comment on other stuff.
by ruven76	Mar 4th, 2008 06:50:18 AM

GI Joe cast using Vantage Point actors by ruven76	Mar 4th, 2008 06:53:13 AM
http://tinyurl.com/2cfcxe
Hama has been attached to this for a while. by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Mar 4th, 2008 07:22:23 AM
That's good news, but old news.
Small Soldiers was okay, but what I loved by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Mar 4th, 2008 07:24:08 AM
about it was that it honored the cast of The Dirty Dozen. Several of them were the voices of the soliders. Too bad Lee Marvin was dead at the time. You gotta love the cheesy names they came up with Nick Nitro, Butch Meathook, LOL.
lensproject by GibsonUSA	Mar 4th, 2008 08:25:07 AM
(shrug) None of my friends do that. Especially not posting on a message board about movies.
ruven76 by Mosquito March	Mar 4th, 2008 10:13:08 AM
I thought Matthew Fox would make a great Flint when I cast GI JOE from the cast of LOST. You could have had Daniel Dae-Kim as Storm Shadow, Evangeline Lilly as Lady Jaye, Josh Holloway as Duke or Shipwreck, Henry Ian Cusick as Destro, Michael Emerson as Cobra Commander, John Terry as Gen. Hawk, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Roadblock(!!!), Cynthia Watros as The Baroness, Naveen Andrews as Zartan, Ian Somerhalder as Tomax/Xamot, and Terry O'Quinn as - muthafuckin' Dr. Mindbender!!! The only role I can think of for Jorge Garcia is Tunnel Rat.
Isn't Obama's mom a white chick from Kansas? by GibsonUSA	Mar 4th, 2008 11:05:27 AM
So he's mixed race, as opposed to "all" African American.
Live action trilogy: "JONNY QUEST" (Could be great!) by JDanielP	Mar 4th, 2008 11:34:23 AM
A little bit INDIANA JONES and a little bit JASON BOURNE, this is one those HOT properties that is on my list to make as a big budget movie,...if only I was in the fortunate position of being a movie director. So much for dreaming.
http://tinyurl.com/yv2wle by ironic_name	Mar 4th, 2008 11:34:26 AM
http://tinyurl.com/2437u9
Jonny Quest theme to LOST (youtube link) is funny by JDanielP	Mar 4th, 2008 11:41:10 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =WZSn2ADH2Y4
terrible timing for this movie. by thekylegassproject	Mar 4th, 2008 11:43:48 AM
patriotic ANYTHING right now makes me wanna throw up. the entire world hates us as they damn well should right now and frankly, i don't think we need anymore propaganda. i nearly choke on it every time i turn on the tele. this will be a good flick for people to go to just after they've gotten up from the troughs at the golden corral. so they can sit there drunk on food and watch more brainless spectacle at 24 fps.
Crashing through the sky... by Sailor Rip	Mar 4th, 2008 11:49:03 AM
comes the fearful cry of Cobra COBRAAAAAAAA! Yeah, quit the bashing already. Did none of you grow up in the eighties? Did none of you have every toy imaginable from the series? Shit, I even like the Cobra-La stuff, Nemesis Enforcer kicks ass. Until I see something bad I will have hope for this project.
GibsonUSA by systemsbroom	Mar 4th, 2008 11:49:58 AM
Technically, yeah, but traditionally in the US people of mixed heritage were still considered black (even if almost all of their ancestry was European--see terms like "octoroon" or the "one drop rule" and other invidious nonsense from the past). Now you know. And knowing's half the battle.
Imagine what JONNY QUEST could be, as a movie. by JDanielP	Mar 4th, 2008 11:53:11 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =xV_-u9sxYZM&NR=1
Sailor Rip by systemsbroom	Mar 4th, 2008 12:02:26 PM
I'd argue that the intro to the movie, which you quote, was the best part of the movie. That intro was fantastic--loved it as a kid.
http://tinyurl.com/2h8j36 by ironic_name	Mar 4th, 2008 12:06:45 PM
Cobra-La-la-la-la-la-la!!!!
systemsbroom by Sailor Rip	Mar 4th, 2008 01:39:36 PM
I like the whole movie but you're right, the statue of liberty assault, the new kick ass song,people getting kicked out of jet packs, CC not being a pussy and delivering a bomb himself.
The Crimson Twins by Snikkar124	Mar 4th, 2008 03:10:33 PM
The Twins were the coolest cobra characters ever(maybe stormshadow is cooler than one of them,but not both) They have to be in the film or it will be shit.....Talkback is so lame lol I love it..
The final word by webslinger48	Mar 4th, 2008 08:50:44 PM
Goldner shows how clueless he is by saying that the movie will focus on the comic storyline and focus on Duke. Well, as anybody who knows anything about 80s Joe knows, Duke was mainly a character in the cartoon and was an afterthought in the comics. To further compound the cluelessness is the casting of Duke -- if they had brains they would cast some rugged man's man type dude, not this pretty-boy underwear model they dredged up. It reminds me of the casting of Masden as Cyclops in X-Men, one of the worst casting choices ever. If the filmmakers had any balls, they'd make a badass guys flick that would give large focus on the villains like Cobra Commander and Destro, who let's be honest were by far much more interesting than the good guys, with the exception of Snake Eyes and maybe Shipwreck, who was always my favorite in the cartoons. Larry Hama on board is a good move seeing as how he pretty much invented all of the characters and wrote the file cards, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring in story editor Buzz Dixon either, who story edited the cartoon, which makes his experience closer to making a movie than Hama's. Alas, Steve Gerber, god bless him passed away last month, who also story edited on the show and would have been a good addition but for the fact of the Howard the Duck disaster probably made him want to distance himself from motion picture adaptations forever. Any mention of Serpentor would be utterly inane, as it was when he was introduced and as every Joe-head knows caused the whole property to jump the shark before Cobra-La put the nail in the coffin.
This thread is probably about dead already . . . by systemsbroom	Mar 4th, 2008 09:34:12 PM
. . . but in case it isn't, how many people here are familiar with GI Joe mainly through the cartoon, mainly through the comic, or through both? I'm curious, because it sounds like the two manifestations are pretty different. I for one never read the comic books, and just know the cartoon. So, to me, Cobra Commander is a cross between hitler and yosemite sam, and the good guys are pretty boring.

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