Due to the success of the Transformers film, it was only a matter of time until the frenzied cartoon battles between the forces of G.I. Joe and the terrorist organization known as Cobra became slated for production as live action film.
What’s Different?
Don’t expect to see an exact recreation of your childhood fantasies, however. According to insider details, this is a kinder, more politically correct G.I. Joe… a Joe for the modern world. For example, the movie won’t contain the subtitle A Real American Hero that went along with the cartoon and theme song. Also, G.I. Joe now stands for: Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity. Many argue that they stripped most of the American from the real American hero, and this is not sitting right with a lot of people. Whether they played with the 12 inch G.I. Joes, played with the smaller line of toys produced by Hasbro in the 1980s, or just watched the cartoon and read the comic book, people seem to fear Hollywood tampering with their cherished childhood memories.
What’s the Same?
They still operate from their base called The Pit, and still respond to terroristic threats around the world, particularly those posed by the forces of the enigmatic Cobra Commander. In the original script, The Pit and the Joe team were rumored to have been transplanted to Brussels. However, the producers, along with Hasbro, claimed that this was nothing but misinformation and the Joes would still be operating out of The Pit.
Snake Eyes, Destro, Scarlett, and many other fan favorites will be showing up in the film, but it remains to be seen if the true diehard Joe fans will forgive Hollywood their transgressions. Early grumblings from fans and real world soldiers say they won’t if the film doesn’t at least try to stay true to the roots of G.I. Joe.
Yet, in today’s world where terrorist organizations do operate on a global scale, would a movie about a mostly American task force do well in countries other than the United States? Perhaps Hollywood is simply looking at the bottom line and playing it safe.
Sampling of the Cast Thus Far
- Snake Eyes – Ray Park
- Duke – Channing Tatum
- Hawk – Dennis Quaid
- Ripcord – Marlon Wayans
- Scarlett – Rachel Nichols
- Cobra Commander – Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Destro – Christopher Eccleston
- The Baroness – Sienna Miller
- Zartan – Arnold Vosloo
- Storm Shadow – Byung-hun Lee
The movie, directed by Stephen Sommers, writer and director of Van Helsing and The Mummy, is scheduled to appear in 2009. Look for it to be a summer release.
Jason M. Tucker - I am a fulltime freelance writer living in the southern California area. More than 300 of my short stories, audio dramas, and articles ...
