G.I. JOE MOVIE: Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity OR ACTION MAN version?

[toddly6666]

Well, it would be nice if they stuck to the original pro-American cartoon, but so far, if we have to pick one, which movie version of G.I. JOE do you want?

Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity:
International group fighting terrorist organization led by Cobra's Destro

OR

ACTION MAN:
Rex, Action Man/Alex Mann, mish mosh of both G.I. Joe and Action Man cartoon, No Cobra, characters with the names Dude Man or whatever.


I really don't understand what's so wrong with the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity version due to the following reasons:

1. G.I. JOE was always made up of a huge variety of agents from different ethnicity/countries. There is really no reason for it to be based around USA.
2. G.I. JOE "A Real American Hero?" - isn't that term only said in the theme song of the cartoon? Well guess what, movies based on cartoons never use the famous cartoon theme song due to rights or afraid of it being cheesy, so what's the issue then - if they can't sing the famous G.I. Joe song, then they don't have to be American heroes.
3. Destro can certainly be in charge, he's the more sauve, cooler leader. Cobra Commander is basically the same as Starscream. And anyway, in the new G.I. JOE comics, I thought that Destro I & II(father and/or son) was in charge and Cobra Commander was locked up?
4. In the recent comic, wasn't the G.I. JOE group more like an international S.W.A.T. team, and not a in-everyone's-face group of soldiers walking around the town as in the cartoon? That's not a big deal if they are more secretive. As long as the Joes are fighting Cobra, civilians don't even have to be seen.

 

[KenK]

I mean, they're an elite military force that employs ninjas for cryin' out loud!

But I do see your point a bit. GI Joe definitely has always a "Rainbow Coalition" quality to it, and I don't think it'd be terrible if they downplayed the American aspects of it. Of course I'd have a little less repsect for the filmmakers and the studio. If the rest of the world really didn't like anything American, they wouldn't keep watching American films period. If the foreign markets still support our product, they shouldn't get offended if a particular film puts emphasis on American patriotism. To say nothing of the fact that any offense taken would more depend on who America is fighting against. Since Cobra is a completely ficticious organization represented by a variety of nationalities (most of which consisting of individuals you'd just think are any old white people anyway), I don't see what the problem is.

 

[Ironfan72]

Man, thats tough, I grew up watching the original series and loved the joe team vs. Cobra. And would love to see that, but, I know that Paramount has to look at the global market and that version will most likely not sell tickets.
Now, a mix of the two would be fine, have a GiJoe team consisting of a multi-national team, Duke, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett (USA), Big Ben,Action Man (UK), Redstar,Horrorshow (Russia) and so on vs. Cobra.

 

[toddly6666]

If the G.I. JOE movie sticks to a huge cast of characters or a small cast of characters, the movie is going to make money all over the world no matter what. This is so stupid that they fear marketing a pro-American film.

It would be pretty sad though if they stuck with the small cast of characters at least for the JOES - the main JOES are not interesting except for SNAKE EYES, who doesn't even talk. Duke? - typical blond white military dude. Flint/Hawk? - typical brunette white military dudes. Road Block - typical muscle black dude? Stalker? - typical brains black dude. Gung Ho - "don't forget your sandwiches!", they better make him look/act like Mathew McCaughney from Reign of Fire, or else he's gonna be one of the gay Joes. Shipwreck? When was the last time sailors were cool and not gay - 30 years ago? The only following JOES that could be interesting are: Snake Eyes (mute ninja - that's interesting), Spirit (American Indians are always awesome in movies), Quick Kick (kung-fu Asians are always awesome in movies), Iceberg (it would be interesting to see an ass-kicking Bombay Indian already in film. The last ones I can think of was the long-haired Indian dude from The English Patient and the ass-kicking Indian from The League of Extraordinary Gentleman), Mutt & Junkyard/Law & Order (dogs attacking people are always pure entertainment), Sgt. Slaughter (if Stallone deserves a come-back, give this guy some screentime too), Chuckles (What's Don Johnson been doing these days?),


I only pray that they give equal or even more screentime to COBRA, much more complex, interesting characters.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity:
International group fighting terrorist organization led by Cobra's Destro

I really don't understand what's so wrong with the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity version due to the following reasons:

1. G.I. JOE was always made up of a huge variety of agents from different ethnicity/countries. There is really no reason for it to be based around USA.
2. G.I. JOE "A Real American Hero?" - isn't that term only said in the theme song of the cartoon? Well guess what, movies based on cartoons never use the famous cartoon theme song due to rights or afraid of it being cheesy, so what's the issue then - if they can't sing the famous G.I. Joe song, then they don't have to be American heroes.
3. Destro can certainly be in charge, he's the more sauve, cooler leader. Cobra Commander is basically the same as Starscream. And anyway, in the new G.I. JOE comics, I thought that Destro I & II(father and/or son) was in charge and Cobra Commander was locked up?
4. In the recent comic, wasn't the G.I. JOE group more like an international S.W.A.T. team, and not a in-everyone's-face group of soldiers walking around the town as in the cartoon? That's not a big deal if they are more secretive. As long as the Joes are fighting Cobra, civilians don't even have to be seen.

It's just plain wrong. G.I. JOE was(and should still be) an American organization, founded in America, by Americans, for the benefit of Americans. The original members were all born Americans.

They are taking the American icon away because they want to be PC and kid friendly. HEY DUMBASSES... NO MOVIE ABOUT WAR SHOULD BE PC OR KID FRIENDLY!!!

PLEASE DON'T DO G.I. JOE LIKE THAT.

 

[CobraCommander]

1. G.I. JOE was always made up of a huge variety of agents from different ethnicity/countries. There is really no reason for it to be based around USA.

No, not really. They were made up of Americans of different ethnic backgrounds. But they were Americans first and foremost.

2. G.I. JOE "A Real American Hero?" - isn't that term only said in the theme song of the cartoon? Well guess what, movies based on cartoons never use the famous cartoon theme song due to rights or afraid of it being cheesy, so what's the issue then - if they can't sing the famous G.I. Joe song, then they don't have to be American heroes.

No, "A Real American Hero" was also the name of the toy line, and the comic book that established all of the continuity we hold dear.

3. Destro can certainly be in charge, he's the more sauve, cooler leader. Cobra Commander is basically the same as Starscream. And anyway, in the new G.I. JOE comics, I thought that Destro I & II(father and/or son) was in charge and Cobra Commander was locked up?

Cobra Commander is not Starscream. Read the comics sometime.

4. In the recent comic, wasn't the G.I. JOE group more like an international S.W.A.T. team, and not a in-everyone's-face group of soldiers walking around the town as in the cartoon? That's not a big deal if they are more secretive. As long as the Joes are fighting Cobra, civilians don't even have to be seen.

No, not really at all. They're a covert American military unit. They always have been, hence the hidden location of the Pit and such.

I take it you really know jack about GI Joe.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

Man, thats tough, I grew up watching the original series and loved the joe team vs. Cobra. And would love to see that, but, I know that Paramount has to look at the global market and that version will most likely not sell tickets.
Now, a mix of the two would be fine, have a GiJoe team consisting of a multi-national team, Duke, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett (USA), Big Ben,Action Man (UK), Redstar,Horrorshow (Russia) and so on vs. Cobra.

I'd rather see Flint, Roadblock, Gung Ho, Lady Jaye, and Shipwreck and so would any other G.I. Joe fan.

I suppose their won't be any Zartan and the Dreadnocks either. Oh, by the way... here's an idea for Zartan:

AMERICAN BAD-ASS

OR

Rob Zombie

 

[toddly6666]

COBRA COMMANDER,
I never said I was an expert like you - I grew up with the toys, I watch the 80s cartoon, I read the original comics and can only really remember the awesome Cobra Commander/Storm Shadow/Billy/Fred storyline. And I "casually" read (meaning not remembering all the obsessive details that you know) the first 4 issues of the recent G.I. Joe comic. That's all.

And with your nickname, of course you are going to get insulted about Cobra Commander being second in command. I'm not saying he's exactly Starscream, but pretty close:
1. Starscream/Cobra Commander: same voice, same hyperness, same bumblings, same screw-ups
2. Megatron/Destro: sure they both fail as well, but they are more suave & chiller than Starscream and Cobra Comander.

It's not a big deal if Destro is in charge and Cobra Commander second in charge.

 

[CobraCommander]

You're speaking only of the cartoon continuity, which is not the tone I want to see for the movie. In the comics, the Commander is clearly the one in charge.

 

[toddly6666]

COBRA COMMANDER,
In the comics, he was certainly more emthapatic, especially during the whole Unmasking/Billy/Fred series. I was pretty sad when he gets shot in the back (I thought he was dead). I liked it how he casually says to Destro "Oh, that's what you look like," and then they just move on...

 

[CobraCommander]

Exactly. He was a better character as a whole in the comics. He's not some incompetent lackey with delusions of grandeur.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

You're speaking only of the cartoon continuity, which is not the tone I want to see for the movie. In the comics, the Commander is clearly the one in charge.

Here's is what I think the situation with Cobra Commander, Destro, and the chain of command is:

Destro will be the one in charge, end of story. BUT... Cobra Commander will have more dialogue, more screen time, and more fans. Destro will be the leader but Cobra Commander will still be the main man. That is all anyone is saying.

 

[The Question]

Destro shouldn't be leader of Cobra simply because he isn't a member of Cobra. He had no part in creating it, doesn't give a **** about their cause, and the only reason he hangs around them is because he and Baronness are having sex. He's a buisnessman. He sells them guns. He'd sell guns to the Joes is he thought the feds wouldn't just arrest him if he showed his face around there. Making him the leader would make him a completely different character.

Also, I have a problem with "Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity." Mainly because it doesn't mean anything. It could be the name of an international firm of investment bankers. Doesn't say anything about anti-terrorism. I honestly don't see why G.I. Joe can't be a covert anti-terrorism unit working for the U.S. military. It's what they've always been. And Cobra is an American terrorist organization.

 

[CobraCommander]

See... that's flawed. Cobra Commander is THE LEADER. Destro is a henchman, albeit an extremely valuable and important one.

Big +1 to everything the Question just said.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

Destro shouldn't be leader of Cobra simply because he isn't a member of Cobra. He had no part in creating it, doesn't give a **** about their cause, and the only reason he hangs around them is because he and Baronness are having sex. He's a buisnessman. He sells them guns. He'd sell guns to the Joes is he thought the feds wouldn't just arrest him if he showed his face around there. Making him the leader would make him a completely different character.

Fine, he is not the leader of Cobra BUT he should be the unquestioned head of operations. He will basically be the leader in name only. Cobra Commander will still get all the good lines, good fights, and good scenes.

Also, I have a problem with "Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity." Mainly because it doesn't mean anything. It could be the name of an international firm of investment bankers. Doesn't say anything about anti-terrorism. I honestly don't see why G.I. Joe can't be a covert anti-terrorism unit working for the U.S. military. It's what they've always been. And Cobra is an American terrorist organization.

Every red blooded American who likes fried chicken, mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits, apple pie, and a can of Budweiser should hate the
"Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity."

And I mean real mashed potatoes with a vat of butter and a bucket of salt. Then I want to smoke a big fat cigar(or a pack of Marlboros) and another 12 Budweiser's.

 

[The Question]

Fine, he is not the leader of Cobra BUT he should be the unquestioned head of operations. He will basically be the leader in name only. Cobra Commander will still get all the good lines, good fights, and good scenes.

Why should he be leader of operations? He's not a member of Cobra. He's an arms dealer who's having sex with a member of Cobra. If anyone should be head of operations, it should be Baronness.

 

[CobraCommander]

He will basically be the leader in name only. Cobra Commander will still get all the good lines, good fights, and good scenes.

So Cobra Commander doesn't, you know, COMMAND Corba?

 

[TheVileOne]

Chances are he won't even be called Cobra Commander.

It's more interesting when you have a snivelling egotistical type like CC as the leader. Because you ****ing know that Destro will hate being under a guy like that.

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

Chances are he won't even be called Cobra Commander.

It's more interesting when you have a snivelling egotistical type like CC as the leader. Because you ****ing know that Destro will hate being under a guy like that.

Exactly...and Destro was always trying to betray CC if the opportunity was right

 

[toddly6666]

It would be best to just go the Jennifer Lopez route and call him C-Comm.

COBRA COMMANDER,
Well the movie makers are probably (god-willing) going to be watching all the cartoons (even Sigma 6 unfortunately), reading the old and new comics, and checking out all the figures. Basically, I hope Cobra Commander is like the comic book version with the cartoon version voice. That's all I ask for. There is really no need to make him a bumbling idiot like in the cartoon (which was extremely entertaining as well), because although the movie could be funny, it shouldn't be at a slap-stick level. The cartoon was funny mainly due to the vast variety of bizarre characters trying to interact with each other, not based on "jokes" or "slap-stick."

Stephen Sommers has been getting a lot of criticism everywhere. I think he will redeem himself, and not go the Uwe Boll route, ignoring fans/critics/internet forums. It's the same with Michael Bay. Bay and Sommers are basically live-action cartoon directors. I think Sommers will do this movie correctly. I loved both Mummies and Van Helsing - I didn't watch those films for the stories - what they all had were interesting colorful characters - nothing really wrong with Brendan Frasier, Arnold Vosloo, Kate Beckinsale, Rachel Weisz, The mummy's Baronness-type lover, Hugh Jackman, Dracula's brides, Frankenstein, Wolfman, and the funny sleazy side characters from his flicks (I didn't like Sommer's version of the Dracula character). The problem with Van Helsing was the script and the CGI for most people. Sommers has got a good screenwriter for the G.I. JOE flick, so it will be fine.


Here's another potential to play Cobra Commander - excellent villain, actor and excellent voice, and deserves a come-back:
MICHAEL WINCOTT

 

[The Question]

Gary Oldman is the only choice for Cobra Commander.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

So Cobra Commander doesn't, you know, COMMAND Corba?

I'm afraid not. He gets no respect until he starts challenging the 'leaders' in front of the troops - and wins.

 

[CobraCommander]

Actually, I LOVE Michael Wincott as Destro. Listen to that voice... Tell me you can't imagine him as Destro!

 

[Whiskey Tango]

3. Destro can certainly be in charge, he's the more sauve, cooler leader. Cobra Commander is basically the same as Starscream.

Crazy person, party of one?

 

[forsakenfilmz]

It's Hollywood, there gonna mess something up. Stick to cartoon/comic. that's Gijoe to us. Duke is in it so we should be ok.