Gi Joe

[Timstuff]

I still don't understand how including a BRITISH character is supposed to make the movie have more international appeal. It's not like the UK are exactly rock stars on the global scene, either. The world hates them almost as much as us Americans, so really, all the producers would be doing is just taking away from what could be a really good GI Joe movie by including him.

Everyone wants a GI Joe movie that's about the GI Joe TEAM. But if they go the route they are supposedly headed, it's going to be a buddy flick about Duke and Action Man! That is not the movie any of us would want, and personally, I would not feel at all inclined to see it in a theater. I saw Transformers on day one and I loved it enough to watch it twice in a theater! I want GI Joe to get me to that same level of excitement, but I know it won't happen if the movie is "Action Man and the GI Joes" or some dumb crap like that.

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by Timstuff

I still don't understand how including a BRITISH character is supposed to make the movie have more international appeal. It's not like the UK are exactly rock stars on the global scene, either. The world hates them almost as much as us Americans, so really, all the producers would be doing is just taking away from what could be a really good GI Joe movie by including him.

Everyone wants a GI Joe movie that's about the GI Joe TEAM. But if they go the route they are supposedly headed, it's going to be a buddy flick about Duke and Action Man! That is not the movie any of us would want, and personally, I would not feel at all inclined to see it in a theater. I saw Transformers on day one and I loved it enough to watch it twice in a theater! I want GI Joe to get me to that same level of excitement, but I know it won't happen if the movie is "Action Man and the GI Joes" or some dumb crap like that.

I actually don't have a problem with Action Man playing a supporting role in a 3rd or 4th sequel but not the first or second one.

[CobraCommander]

If this movie isn't the GI Joe I know and love on the big screen, then I will not be in attendance.

[batbat_29640]

So who's being suggested for Snake Eyes?

[mr. peasant]

Right now, nobody. There's not been any confirmation whether he's even going to be in the movie. The only confirmed character is Duke, with strong rumors of Action Man, neither of which have a confirmed actor attached. As for Snake-Eyes, current fan favorite (though not unanimous) is Ray Park.

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by CobraCommander

If this movie isn't the GI Joe I know and love on the big screen, then I will not be in attendance.

It won't be.

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

Right now, nobody. There's not been any confirmation whether he's even going to be in the movie. The only confirmed character is Duke, with strong rumors of Action Man, neither of which have a confirmed actor attached. As for Snake-Eyes, current fan favorite (though not unanimous) is Ray Park.

Ray Park is the favorite amongst which probably means it won't be Ray Park.

[Hypestyle]

were there different UK ACTION FORCE characters than in the American GI Joe continuity?

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by Hypestyle

were there different UK ACTION FORCE characters than in the American GI Joe continuity?

Oh yes, they have a full squad.

[batbat_29640]

What about Mark Dacascos as Snake Eyes?

[TheVileOne]

Originally Posted by batbat_29640

What about Mark Dacascos as Snake Eyes?

No. He's a B-movie actor.

[3dman27]

Originally Posted by TheVileOne

No. He's a B-movie actor.

how can he improve on that without being in better movies?

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by TheVileOne

No. He's a B-movie actor.

Since we're dicussing B-actors for Snake Eyes, how about Kevin Sorbo?

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by Hypestyle

were there different UK ACTION FORCE characters than in the American GI Joe continuity?

Here's an example of what a movie with Action Man and co. may look like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKDqQ4jev6o

[deathshead2]

Why are people even thinking about getting an actor for snake eye. Unless Snake-eyes gets his own spin-off movie theres no need. He doesn't talk or show his face. He just jumps around and kills people. So get a stunt man. Then worry about an actor for a spin-off later.

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by deathshead2

Why are people even thinking about getting an actor for snake eye. Unless Snake-eyes gets his own spin-off movie theres no need. He doesn't talk or show his face. He just jumps around and kills people. So get a stunt man. Then worry about an actor for a spin-off later.

That was the cartoon, this is a movie. His face, and backround, must be shown just to take the intrigue and focus off him.

[OptimusCannabis]

I think G.I. Joe is a 7-9 movie series, I really do. It is the top-selling action figure of all time and one of the best selling comics.

JUST LOOK AT WHAT OTHER COMIC BOOK/ACTION FIGURE CHARACTERS HAVE GOTTEN RECENTLY:

Batman(1989-2008) = 6 movies, likely a 7th and 8th
Superman(1978-2009) = 6 movies, likely a 7th
Spiderman(2002-2007) = 3 movies, possibly a 4th
X-Men(2000-2007) = 3 movies, Wolverine & Magneto on the way, possibly
another X-Men trilogy
Fantastic Four(2005-2007) = 2 movies, 3rd on the way

G.I. Joe is most comprable to X-Men and Fantastic Four. If X-Men can do at least five movies, likely six, and very possibly eight then surely G.I. Joe can top that.

I'm thinking three connected trilogies and possibly a spinoff or two.

OR... how about 3-4 pairs of movies? First pair titled 'G.I. JOE,' second pair titled 'COBRA!,' and the third pair titled 'G.I. JOE vs. COBRA.' You could then have your spinoffs and so on. Everyone is probably sick of trilogies, so why not do something different?

[mr. peasant]

Originally Posted by OptimusCannabis

I think G.I. Joe is a 7-9 movie series, I really do. It is the top-selling action figure of all time and one of the best selling comics.

JUST LOOK AT WHAT OTHER COMIC BOOK/ACTION FIGURE CHARACTERS HAVE GOTTEN RECENTLY:

Batman(1989-2008) = 6 movies, likely a 7th and 8th
Superman(1978-2009) = 6 movies, likely a 7th
Spiderman(2002-2007) = 3 movies, possibly a 4th
X-Men(2000-2007) = 3 movies, Wolverine & Magneto on the way, possibly
another X-Men trilogy
Fantastic Four(2005-2007) = 2 movies, 3rd on the way

G.I. Joe is most comprable to X-Men and Fantastic Four. If X-Men can do at least five movies, likely six, and very possibly eight then surely G.I. Joe can top that.

I'm thinking three connected trilogies and possibly a spinoff or two.

OR... how about 3-4 pairs of movies? First pair titled 'G.I. JOE,' second pair titled 'COBRA!,' and the third pair titled 'G.I. JOE vs. COBRA.' You could then have your spinoffs and so on. Everyone is probably sick of trilogies, so why not do something different?

The flaw in the argument is that as you've stated, G.I. Joe is most comparable with X-Men and Fantastic Four (due to their ensemble nature, I assume). It's a big stretch to go from 2/3 movies to 7 to 9. Since there's been nothing concrete on a second trilogy, Wolverine or Magneto spin-offs, X-Men still count as 3. And even then, the filmmakers didn't anticipate/project ahead the idea of 3 movies. They simply made the first movie, keeping the option open for a sequel and went with the flow.

Add to that that G.I. Joe is nowhere nearly as popular as the X-Men brand name, it's unlikely that it'd outnumber the X-Men series. Your claim to G.I. Joe's popularity seems exaggerated. The only commercially viable Joe figures is the Sigma 6 line and it is currently at risk of discontinuation (as of SDCC). As for the comic's popularity, I don't think it's a best seller. It's certainly not being paraded at the display window of your corner comic shop.

Also, the cumulative Superman and Batman movies shouldn't count since they were basically rebooted years after the last movie was made.

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

The flaw in the argument is that as you've stated, G.I. Joe is most comparable with X-Men and Fantastic Four (due to their ensemble nature, I assume). It's a big stretch to go from 2/3 movies to 7 to 9. Since there's been nothing concrete on a second trilogy, Wolverine or Magneto spin-offs, X-Men still count as 3. And even then, the filmmakers didn't anticipate/project ahead the idea of 3 movies. They simply made the first movie, keeping the option open for a sequel and went with the flow.

Wolverine
David Benioff was hired to pen the screenplay for the spin-off film Wolverine in October 2004. Benioff was a comic book fan, and reread Barry Windsor-Smith's "Weapon X" story (1991), as well as Chris Claremont and Frank Miller's Wolverine limited series (1982), to prepare for writing the script. Hugh Jackman became producer as well as star, and is being paid $20 million for the film. He worked with Benioff on the script, aiming for a smaller-scale character piece. They were unable to introduce any of the samurai elements from Claremont and Miller's series, as Jackman felt, “What we need to do is establish who he is and find out how he became Wolverine." The Blob and John Wraith may also feature, as well as Vietnam War flashbacks and a love interest for Wolverine. The script was finished as of October 15, 2006, and Jackman indicated there would be a year before shooting.
Gavin Hood was announced as director of the project in July 2007, with filming to begin in November for a 2008 release. Before his hiring, directors Brett Ratner and Len Wiseman expressed interest in directing the film. Bryan Singer also expressed interest in reading the script. Vinnie Jones and Tyler Mane may reprise their roles as the Juggernaut and Sabretooth respectively. Brian Cox said William Stryker is in the script and the film is set seventeen years before X-Men, but is unsure of whether he'll return. Jackman said the film will shoot for about four months, possibly in Australia, a location Avi Arad has scouted. He doesn't see the need for an R rating. Jackman has indicated he is willing to make another Wolverine spin-off film.
Magneto
In December 2004, Twentieth Century Fox hired screenwriter Sheldon Turner to draft a spin-off X-Men film, and he chose to write Magneto, pitching it as "The Pianist meets X-Men." In April 2007, David S. Goyer was hired to direct. Turner said the script was set from 1939 to 1955, and it follows Magneto trying to survive in Auschwitz. He meets Xavier, a soldier, during the liberation of the camp. He hunts down the Nazi war criminals that tortured him, and this lust for vengeance turns him and Xavier into enemies.

In May 2006, Ian McKellen said he would reprise the role using the computer-generated facelift applied to him in the prologue of X-Men: The Last Stand. With Goyer's hiring in 2007, it was said actors in their twenties would play the characters. Lauren Shuler Donner said before Goyer's hiring that the film would need McKellen to anchor the story, which would take place in flashbacks. Avi Arad said the film is planned for a 2009 release, and like Wolverine, it may be shot in Australia.

X-Men 4 and Beyond
Despite the stupid title "X-Men: The Last Stand", Fox Head Tom Rothman has all but confirmed that there will indeed be an X-Men 4, and probably more after that as well. Now it's all well and good for him to say that now... but if X-Men 3 is a bomb (which we all know it won't be... even if it sucks) then those words will be quickly eaten.


So why the title "The Last Stand" then? Well, according to the good folks over at Movie Hole, Rothman offers the following explanation:

“It's the conclusion of this trilogy. These three movies work as a trilogy. These characters in this relationship, it's the culmination of that saga. It's the culmination and the resolution of those relationships laid out in the first two movies. That doesn't mean never, I would ever say never again, but I will say that this brings that saga to an end. It's quite the way the last Lord of the Rings, Return of the King, brought that trilogy to a conclusion in terms of those characters, that's what this movie does. It goes all the way back to the first one and rounds off and completes that three-part story”.

Perhaps someone should tell Rothman that the end of the Lord of the Rings was indeed actually the end of the whole series. He might have missed that part.

So all this talk of "this is the end of THIS saga". This particular story line in X-Men is indeed finished... but there are more to come. Heck... the Wolverine spinoff is basically going to be X-Men 4 with a new title. Make no mistake... there will be MANY more X-Movies.
I personally still have major reservations about the next X-Men film... but my hope has risen over the last month. Let's hope it works out. Thus far the X-Men have been my favorite comic film franchise (yes, even more than Spider-Man) and I'd hate to see it go down the toilet.

I personally feel that the Magneto movie is a bit of an experiment. If a film about Magneto set in WWII can do well then ANYTHING titled 'X-Men' will do well. The success or failure of this film could ultimately determine whether or not we get a couple 'X-Men' films.

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

Add to that that G.I. Joe is nowhere nearly as popular as the X-Men brand name, it's unlikely that it'd outnumber the X-Men series. Your claim to G.I. Joe's popularity seems exaggerated. The only commercially viable Joe figures is the Sigma 6 line and it is currently at risk of discontinuation (as of SDCC).

[from Hasbro.com]
GI JOE. Every Generation Needs a Hero.

In more than a half-dozen incarnations across four decades, G.I. JOE has become the single greatest brand in the history of boys' toys. Inspiring the term "action figure," G.I. JOE ushered in a new play pattern that forever changed the scope of the toy world.

Hasbro has kept G.I. JOE on the market nearly continuously since 1964, with the exception of a few years between the "retirement" of the classic "vintage" G.I. Joe in 1976 and the introduction of the new "A Real American Hero" in 1982. This has not always been an easy task. Conventional wisdom in the toy industry says that a new generation of boys comes along every four years, requiring new and fresh products and new techniques that are needed to successfully market to this changing crowd.

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

As for the comic's popularity, I don't think it's a best seller. It's certainly not being paraded at the display window of your corner comic shop.

No, but I'd say it does relatively well and is one of the better known comics.

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

Also, the cumulative Superman and Batman movies shouldn't count since they were basically rebooted years after the last movie was made.

Yeah but if those originally began in 1998 then we'd have 5-6 anyways.

[mr. peasant]

Originally Posted by OptimusCannabis

[from Hasbro.com]
GI JOE. Every Generation Needs a Hero.

In more than a half-dozen incarnations across four decades, G.I. JOE has become the single greatest brand in the history of boys' toys. Inspiring the term "action figure," G.I. JOE ushered in a new play pattern that forever changed the scope of the toy world.

Hasbro has kept G.I. JOE on the market nearly continuously since 1964, with the exception of a few years between the "retirement" of the classic "vintage" G.I. Joe in 1976 and the introduction of the new "A Real American Hero" in 1982. This has not always been an easy task. Conventional wisdom in the toy industry says that a new generation of boys comes along every four years, requiring new and fresh products and new techniques that are needed to successfully market to this changing crowd.

Considering it's taken from Hasbro's website, it's fairly safe to conclude that the information is probably biased and possibly even skewed to better promote the brand. For instance, the article fails to mention that for a good many years, G.I. Joe was only available through DTC and not through regular toy stores such as Toys R Us, etc and that very few new molds were actually made for this production to reduce cost and that still, it failed to achieve high profits. Granted, I am not saying that G.I. Joe is not a popular brand at its prime, the brand has declined in recent years, with Sigma 6 being the only current line commercially available.

Originally Posted by OptimusCannabis

No, but I'd say it does relatively well and is one of the better known comics.

Not to sound like Di Bonaventura, but if his claims that G.I. Joe isn't popular in Europe are true, this automatically, by default means that G.I. Joe is not 'popular' in the global sense. As I'm not from the United States, I can't say about its local support.

Originally Posted by OptimusCannabis

Yeah but if those originally began in 1998 then we'd have 5-6 anyways.

Actually, the first few Batman films were from 1989 to 1997 while the Superman films were from 1978 to 1983. So, using your defined timeline, they're out. But if it's any consolation, the first Batman series made four movies. Then again, we don't want G.I Joe to wind up like the disastrous Batman & Robin, do we?

However, I will say that you got me on the number of X-Men planned sequels. Of course, as they're not out yet, whether they count to the franchise's total tally is debatable since it might wind up in developmental hell a la Italian Job 2. But it's some evidence, at least.

[OptimusCannabis]

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

Considering it's taken from Hasbro's website, it's fairly safe to conclude that the information is probably biased and possibly even skewed to better promote the brand. For instance, the article fails to mention that for a good many years, G.I. Joe was only available through DTC and not through regular toy stores such as Toys R Us, etc and that very few new molds were actually made for this production to reduce cost and that still, it failed to achieve high profits. Granted, I am not saying that G.I. Joe is not a popular brand at its prime, the brand has declined in recent years, with Sigma 6 being the only current line commercially available.

There is am unbiased quote somewhere that does name G.I. Joe as the 'best selling toyline in history.' I'll post it if I find it.

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

Not to sound like Di Bonaventura, but if his claims that G.I. Joe isn't popular in Europe are true, this automatically, by default means that G.I. Joe is not 'popular' in the global sense. As I'm not from the United States, I can't say about its local support.

Toys and comics, in general, are far less popular in Euorpe against the U.S. standards.

Originally Posted by mr. peasant

Actually, the first few Batman films were from 1989 to 1997 while the Superman films were from 1978 to 1983. So, using your defined timeline, they're out. But if it's any consolation, the first Batman series made four movies. Then again, we don't want G.I Joe to wind up like the disastrous Batman & Robin, do we?

I know that. I'm saying if a Batman or Superman franchise began in 1998 there would be 5-6 movies by now.

[mr. peasant]

Originally Posted by OptimusCannabis

There is am unbiased quote somewhere that does name G.I. Joe as the 'best selling toyline in history.' I'll post it if I find it.

Again, that's doubtful since I can see boardgames and maybe even Barbie having had more sales than the G.I. Joe lines. However, even if it is the 'best selling toyline in history', this doesn't address that current status of the toyline, which isn't too strong, even to Hasbro's standards.

Originally Posted by OptimusCannabis

Toys and comics, in general, are far less popular in Euorpe against the U.S. standards.

At least American-made ones.

Originally Posted by OptimusCannabis

I know that. I'm saying if a Batman or Superman franchise began in 1998 there would be 5-6 movies by now.

The fact remains that it isn't and the franchises were rebooted.

[OptimusCannabis]

I like the G.I. JOE talk being bantered around these SHH threads. I am convinced, if we can meet a definite means to an end of these threads we will all be very 'well off' afterwards.

There's no reason each film won't make $300,000,000 plus per film. If you shot 9-10 films at once I bet you could save a billion dollars in shooting AND production costs. Hence, the profit would be - ONE BILLION DOLLARS.

Since it's my idea I am staking claim to 1/10($100,000,000) of the total profit, not to mention 1/10 of merchandising.

This contract of sorts is not only for myself but the other 9/10 that will claim $100,000,000. The first nine people to say they want in are in. Then, between the ten of us, we've got a story for the ages.

FOR THE RECORD, I AM NOT A MEMBER OF HOLLYWOOD OR A WEALTHY MAN. I AM SIMPLY FORMING MY VISION AND TRYING TO MOVE AHEAD. I FEEL POSITIVE WITH GREAT HOPES OF LONG YEARS OF PROSPERITY AND MENTAL PEACE & HARMONY.

May the 10 creators form...

... and let us make the most kick-ass movie ever in history,
one that takes man from begining-to-end,
and then back around again.

LET US BECOME GODS!!!

[OptimusCannabis]

I can picture it perfectly:

LOCAL NEWSCASTER
(ON TELEVISION)
"A group of ten guys from an internet message board, SUPERHEROHYPE!, are going to be the ones responsible for the G.I. Joe Saga. The movies are set to be a 10 set series of interconnected characters and stories. All ten films are to be filmed at once and has a casting list that is said to be, a who's who of Hollywood. It is the largest production in the history of Earth and will be going staright to T.V. and secondly to theatres. The first film will be titled 'G.I. JOE and The Code of Honor'...

Shooting begins in the fall."

[OptimusCannabis]

What will give this G.I. JOE series potential for ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX is that Cobra Commander's biggest motivating cause is to 'call out Jesus Christ.' He wants to question Jesus Christ himself on national television for the whole world to see.