Gi Joe

[OptimusCannabis]

Just throwing ideas out there to see what people think. I like your idea on how to use the 'Yo Joe' phrase (which is probably one of the cheesiest catch phrases ever coined); it's nice and subtle and makes complete sense in the conversation. Wait a minute, we're agreeing? What's this world coming to?

I'm not surprised we're agreeing. I knew Snake Eyes would be, and still is, the biggest stumbling block and cause for debate. Not to bring it up again but the series would best be served to have him in a very minor role or a very large one.

 

[Chris B]

Something I wouldn't mind seeing the GI Joe movie or Transformers sequel doing is paying homage to all the crossovers that have been produced for those two franchises. Nothing more then subtle hints that the film versions both share the same universe.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

Something I wouldn't mind seeing the GI Joe movie or Transformers sequel doing is paying homage to all the crossovers that have been produced for those two franchises. Nothing more then subtle hints that the film versions both share the same universe.

I can do without that.

 

[mr. peasant]

Something I wouldn't mind seeing the GI Joe movie or Transformers sequel doing is paying homage to all the crossovers that have been produced for those two franchises. Nothing more then subtle hints that the film versions both share the same universe.

The problem with that is threat value. If you think about it, a terrorist group just pales in comparison to evil, robot space invaders. Instead, some shameless cross promotion could be done if timed right, by having a G.I. Joe poster appear somewhere in Transformers 2. This is possible if the IMDb dates are right an Transformers 2 comes out in 2009 while G.I. Joe comes out in 2010.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

The problem with that is threat value. If you think about it, a terrorist group just pales in comparison to evil, robot space invaders. Instead, some shameless cross promotion could be done if timed right, by having a G.I. Joe poster appear somewhere in Transformers 2. This is possible if the IMDb dates are right an Transformers 2 comes out in 2009 while G.I. Joe comes out in 2010.

I'd rather keep the two seperate for now. Maybe somewhere down the road they can do a trilogy of G.I. Joe vs. Transformers, similar to Alien vs. Predator or Freddy vs. Jason. Similar only in that they wait a few years after both the Transformers and G.I. Joe series have concluded.

 

[Chris B]

I'd rather keep the two seperate for now. Maybe somewhere down the road they can do a trilogy of G.I. Joe vs. Transformers, similar to Alien vs. Predator or Freddy vs. Jason. Similar only in that they wait a few years after both the Transformers and G.I. Joe series have concluded.

The way I saw it, the hints that the films take place in the same universe would be something that only the fans would notice and not receive a whole lot of attention.

However, I don't think I would ever want to see the two actually crossover.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Ugh.

IESB.net says that The Mummy, The Mummy Returns and Van Helsing helmer Stephen Sommers has signed to direct the live-action G.I. Joe for Paramount Pictures and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers).

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6193

 

[Warhammer]

Haha, when I saw the headline on the main page, I instantly imagined everyone's reaction. Damn, that sucks.

 

[deathshead2]

Hey I wouldn't call it bad yet. Remember all the Bay hate. Now look at it, transformers is pretty loved across the board now. But Sommer isn't to bad. I enjoyed the mummy and im one of the few people who enjoyed van helsing. But mummy returns and deep rising were pretty bad. So he's 50/50 for me right now. But hey maybe he'll pull a Bay and make GI joe one of the coolest movies ever.

 

[Warhammer]

Sommers had me with The Mummy, and lost me with The Mummy Returns, then became flat-out history with Van Helsing (Even though the last 2 were entertaining films, they necessarily weren't good films, and his lack of direction turned me away from some of the entertainment). I am also one of the posters who didn't hate Bay. In fact, I like his films because they are great joy rides, sort of speak.

Oh well, I never looked forward to this film anyway, hence why I never posted in here before today.

 

[TheVileOne]

I can think of worse directors to do this than Sommers. The movie will most likely be dumb and stupid, but if it doesn't have all the dumb comedy that Transformers did it might be decent.

Here are my main talking points for a GI JOE movie, things it has to cover in order for it to succeed and be good:

-Has to be about 2 hours long. I can understand it being under two hours, but I definitely do not want the rushed kiddie/family crap like FF 1 and 2.

-It MUST be GI JOE vs. COBRA and Cobra Commander. This is as essential as AUTOBOTS vs. DECEPTICONS in Transformers. As bad as that movie was, it still had that element. Basically this means you got to have Cobra Commander. You got to have GI JOE fighting Cobra which is a rogue/international terrorist organization. I don't care if they update Cobra and make them more like a terrorist cell group or whatever, but it's got to keep the Cobra vs. GI JOE dynamic. This is what made GI JOE GI Joe.

-Jettison this Cobra Commander as part of the JOE team crap. Sorry it just doesn't work. They need a connection with CC and the Joe team? Read the comics it's there. Especially between Snake Eyes and CC.

-Snake Eyes and Scarlett not Scarlett and Duke. This is the OTP of all GI JOE. Fans won't accept another pairing. The movie needs a romance? You got it right here. Make a clear attraction or tension with Snake Eyes and Scarlett, and make it interesting.

-Keep Snake Eyes tortured past and connection with Storm Shadow. If this movie gets made there is no way it will get made without a ninja fight between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. I'm not saying do a big entire backstory, but at least hint that Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow know each other and have a past together. At the very least identify that they both share the same tattoo (which is the tattoo of the Arashikage ninja clan). Also, I'm not saying this has to be a big Snake Eyes origin movie either, but Snake Eyes should be a darker and tortured character that has some issues. He should be mute, and if they want to push the disfigured face angle or not . . . well I think they should. It at least gives Snake Eyes a compelling reason to wear a mask the whole time.

-Make it fun, but not too fun. Basically, I'm asking for the movie not to have the downright ridiculous comedy sequences that TRANSFORMERS had. You know what I'm talking about. Enough of the dance numbers, we've had enough. If Snake Eyes dances, I'm going to GTS something (FYI, Snake Eyes actually did dance in the '80's cartoon before. You can probably find it on youtube). So, no Snake Eyes dancing at a party. No Snake Eyes kicking in a Las Vegas showgirls number (don't ask). It should have a fun and action-packed feel to it, but still have a pretty serious tone overall.

-Focus on a core group. Fans will want to see a lot their favorites, but you can really just boil it down like this. The Joes: Duke, Scarlett, Snake-Eyes, Roadblock (Heavy Duty or Stalker whatever), Hi-Tech (you need a mechanic/tech guy), and General Hawk as their government suit in charge. Cobra: Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, Storm Shadow, Dr. Mindbender, and Zartan (master of disguise, and it's ****ing Zartan dammit). Have hints and references of other favorite characters to possibly include them in sequels.

-Don't ignore the history or the spirit of the material. You know what, I guess I can understand it's not popular to be America right now, and people overseas might not like it. But to me this story and these characters are not just about blind, flag-waving patriotism. There is something patriotic about that, but is anyone here even familiar with the final issue of Marvel's GI JOE run? Someone writes a letter to Snake Eyes, a young man who is eager to enlist in the army, and he wants to know about the glory in serving your country. And it's a very harsh and sobering realization about the sacrifices you make in order to serve your country and it was brilliant. It was probably the first time ever in the comic's history we got a real insight into Snake Eyes's true thoughts and feelings. To me there isn't a greater symbol of what you can lose in the name of your service than Snake Eyes. Snake Eyes who has lost so much in his life while honorably serving his country, but still serves it loyally. I think there is something beautiful about that, because it's something our fighting men and women are dealing with right now. And I feel it's something that politicians (Our current administration, democrats, and republicans alike) and American citizens take for granted.

I'm sorry if I sounded a little preachy right there, but those are my genuine feelings. At the heart of it, I am a big GI JOE fan and I just want to see it done right and I want it to be good.

If Sommers does this . . . my bet is that Kevin J. O'Connor will play Dr. Mindbender .

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3043&Itemid=99

Also, SHH needs a better editor. NOWHERE in that link does it say Stephen Sommers has been signed at all. It clearly says that Paramount has OFFERED the project to Stephen Sommers to direct. There's a difference between being signed to directing a movie, and being offered to do it. The same article also mentioned that Sommers was developing a WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE remake in pre-productions.

I suggest someone correct it.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

I can think of worse directors to do this than Sommers. The movie will most likely be dumb and stupid, but if it doesn't have all the dumb comedy that Transformers did it might be decent.

Yes, the movie will likely be dumb and stupid. The lame comedy will only make it worse. Truthfully, I think they could make a good G.I. Joe movie if they just accepted the ideas of fanboys instead of the ones from already established Hollywood bigwigs. That goes for all the comic book adaptations as well. I don't see why they don't get the people who were closest to the characters and enjoted them the most to actually head the project.

-Has to be about 2 hours long. I can understand it being under two hours, but I definitely do not want the rushed kiddie/family crap like FF 1 and 2.

Agreed. The older I get the longer I like my movies to be. The length of a movie is one of the first things I check when going to see or renting a movie. Anything under 100 minutes is viewed as 'too short' in my book.

-It MUST be GI JOE vs. COBRA and Cobra Commander. This is as essential as AUTOBOTS vs. DECEPTICONS in Transformers. As bad as that movie was, it still had that element. Basically this means you got to have Cobra Commander. You got to have GI JOE fighting Cobra which is a rogue/international terrorist organization. I don't care if they update Cobra and make them more like a terrorist cell group or whatever, but it's got to keep the Cobra vs. GI JOE dynamic. This is what made GI JOE GI Joe.

Well I am sure they will have it but to what extent is unknown. Personally, I felt there was very littly element to AUTOBOTS VS DECEPTICONS in the Transformers movie. The biggest element of that movie was HUMANS MEET TRANSFORMERS and that's basically why I didn't like it. That and I felt that the Transformers looked like walking scrap yards. For the first time I actually would have PREFERRED c.g.i..

-Jettison this Cobra Commander as part of the JOE team crap. Sorry it just doesn't work. They need a connection with CC and the Joe team? Read the comics it's there. Especially between Snake Eyes and CC.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING!!!

-Snake Eyes and Scarlett not Scarlett and Duke. This is the OTP of all GI JOE. Fans won't accept another pairing. The movie needs a romance? You got it right here. Make a clear attraction or tension with Snake Eyes and Scarlett, and make it interesting.

Scarlett-Duke means the movie will be nothing more than a cliched, cookie-cutter, below average movie that is way too hyped and far too overexposed. Snake Eyes-Scarlett would give the film a sort of off-the=wall, fresh feeling. While on the topic of romances, in my G.I. Joe script I was actually toying with the idea of a menage a trois between Cobra Commander-Baroness-Destro. So much to the point that they actually do share an on-screen 'moment' together.

-Keep Snake Eyes tortured past and connection with Storm Shadow. If this movie gets made there is no way it will get made without a ninja fight between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. I'm not saying do a big entire backstory, but at least hint that Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow know each other and have a past together. At the very least identify that they both share the same tattoo (which is the tattoo of the Arashikage ninja clan). Also, I'm not saying this has to be a big Snake Eyes origin movie either, but Snake Eyes should be a darker and tortured character that has some issues. He should be mute, and if they want to push the disfigured face angle or not . . . well I think they should. It at least gives Snake Eyes a compelling reason to wear a mask the whole time.

I like how you think. Although I think the first film should be primarily a Snake Eyes origin story. And for those who say it should be about G.I. Joe NOT Snake Eyes, all I can say is look at Transformers - that steaming pile of crap wasn't even about the Transformers but rather Sam Witwicky and it has already made 300 million.

-Make it fun, but not too fun. Basically, I'm asking for the movie not to have the downright ridiculous comedy sequences that TRANSFORMERS had. You know what I'm talking about. Enough of the dance numbers, we've had enough. If Snake Eyes dances, I'm going to GTS something (FYI, Snake Eyes actually did dance in the '80's cartoon before. You can probably find it on youtube). So, no Snake Eyes dancing at a party. No Snake Eyes kicking in a Las Vegas showgirls number (don't ask). It should have a fun and action-packed feel to it, but still have a pretty serious tone overall.

Yes, I have really grown to hate the humor in comic book adaptations but Transformers was some of the worst and Fantastic Four has to be the worst. It's like they put in jokes and comedic bits that they know aren't funny but believe we'll enjoy. It's really insulting and almost a rape of the american public who pays to see their movies.

-Focus on a core group. Fans will want to see a lot their favorites, but you can really just boil it down like this. The Joes: Duke, Scarlett, Snake-Eyes, Roadblock (Heavy Duty or Stalker whatever), Hi-Tech (you need a mechanic/tech guy), and General Hawk as their government suit in charge. Cobra: Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, Storm Shadow, Dr. Mindbender, and Zartan (master of disguise, and it's ****ing Zartan dammit). Have hints and references of other favorite characters to possibly include them in sequels.

I say go with the most famous, and most favorite, group if you choose to not do the G.I. Joe formation story. Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Flint, Roadblock, & Shipwreck.

-Don't ignore the history or the spirit of the material. You know what, I guess I can understand it's not popular to be America right now, and people overseas might not like it. But to me this story and these characters are not just about blind, flag-waving patriotism. There is something patriotic about that, but is anyone here even familiar with the final issue of Marvel's GI JOE run? Someone writes a letter to Snake Eyes, a young man who is eager to enlist in the army, and he wants to know about the glory in serving your country. And it's a very harsh and sobering realization about the sacrifices you make in order to serve your country and it was brilliant. It was probably the first time ever in the comic's history we got a real insight into Snake Eyes's true thoughts and feelings. To me there isn't a greater symbol of what you can lose in the name of your service than Snake Eyes. Snake Eyes who has lost so much in his life while honorably serving his country, but still serves it loyally. I think there is something beautiful about that, because it's something our fighting men and women are dealing with right now. And I feel it's something that politicians (Our current administration, democrats, and republicans alike) and American citizens take for granted.

You seem to fail to realize that the people who will write, direct, and produce this movie are about as deep as a puddle.

I'm sorry if I sounded a little preachy right there, but those are my genuine feelings. At the heart of it, I am a big GI JOE fan and I just want to see it done right and I want it to be good.

Well said. You ever thought about writing a script?

 

[CobraCommander]

I concur whole-heartedly with TheVileOne.

And a big to the Stephen Sommers announcement.

 

[spanish39]

This has to be the worst idea since McG and Superman, Rattner and X-Men, and making a movie about Monopoly! Why the hell would they let some hack of a filmmaker like Sommers make one of the best selling toy lines into a film? Did they learn nothing from taking a great idea like Van Helsing and letting Sommers completly ruin Universal's movie monsters? Worst idea ever!

 

[OptimusCannabis]

This has to be the worst idea since McG and Superman, Rattner and X-Men, and making a movie about Monopoly! Why the hell would they let some hack of a filmmaker like Sommers make one of the best selling toy lines into a film? Did they learn nothing from taking a great idea like Van Helsing and letting Sommers completly ruin Universal's movie monsters? Worst idea ever!

Not 'one of the best selling toy lines,' the BEST selling toy line.

 

[The Villain]

Sadly if Telly Savalas was still aliive I would have liked him to play Destro.

Perhaps a bald Billy Zane could be a choice.

 

[TheVileOne]

I dedicate the above post to fellow awesome GI JOE fan CobraCommander.

To answer Optimus question, I'm not a screenwriter kind of guy, I do think I understand good storytelling and I'm pursuing story development as a career.

To me Snake Eyes is much better if he's already ****ed up to hell at the outset of the story. That makes him more mysterious and enigmatic like Snake Plissken or the Ninja from MGS.

But here's the reality we can't deny. Transformers was very successful. It did huge. So essentially, Hollywood won't want to deviate too much from that formula with GI JOE, which like it or not is a very similar property. It's basically TRANSFORMERS except with human soldiers instead of giant robots.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

To me Snake Eyes is much better if he's already ****ed up to hell at the outset of the story. That makes him more mysterious and enigmatic like Snake Plissken or the Ninja from MGS.

How about starting out after the death of his family. Start with Snake Eyes in the gutter, drunk on the streets, and starting fights until... He meets Cobra Commander. Then, fast forward to his recruitment into G.I. Joe. He goes from the gutter to the star role in his own movie where the parts prior to his family's deaths and his time in the Arshikage Clan are shown.

But here's the reality we can't deny. Transformers was very successful. It did huge. So essentially, Hollywood won't want to deviate too much from that formula with GI JOE, which like it or not is a very similar property. It's basically TRANSFORMERS except with human soldiers instead of giant robots.

And that is why they will fail.

 

[Mr. Socko]

I still haven't forgiven Sommers for ruining some of my favorite Universal monsters with Van Helsing.

 

[Mr. Socko]

I still haven't forgiven Sommers for ruining some of my favorite Universal monsters with Van Helsing.

 

[Chris B]

I found both Mummy movies to be mediocre and hated Van Helsing. So I can't say I'm too enthused with the prospect of Stephen Sommers directing the GI Joe movie. However, I would be willing to give him the benefit of a doubt if he was given a good script. Which so far this production seems to have lacked.

I have to admit, elements from the Elliot-Lovetts script weren't that bad. I would still want to see it undergo a major rewrite, but I think it was a decent template. Based on what Latino Review had to say about it, I was really hoping that they would disgard the draft written by Woods. The fact that they are going to try and combine the two makes me think they are still aiming for the GI Joe/Action Man buddy movie.

I think despite the deviations the Transformers film took from the source material, I think Bay and co. were still able the capture the essence of what made that franchise so cool to begin with. It is a shame to see that as of now, the GI Joe movie may miss the mark.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

This movie must be stopped at all costs.

 

[CobraCommander]

I for one am tired of origin movies. I think the movie should have GI Joe and Cobra already in existence. Perhaps you make the movie about a new recruit to GI Joe, let's say it's Duke. So he can be your main protagonist, still green and new to the organization. Hawk is in charge, and all the other key players are already Joes. Duke has been brought in by Hawk personally due to his flawless record and outstanding leadership skills to be the field leader of the team. Perhaps Hawk does this because he is planning on stepping down and wants Duke to replace him.

I'm just throwing ideas out there. But I like the idea of having your fresh set of eyes discover these characters who already exist. Sort of like Luke Skywalker, taking his first steps into a much larger world. Only without the whining along the way.

Along the way, we uncover bits and pieces about these characters histories and backstory. I don't think it necessarily needs to be shown on screen. Dialog and briefings can reveal all you need to know, while maintaining an aura of mystery about these characters.

I hate to come back to Star Wars, but the Original Trilogy did an excellent job of relaying origins and back-story without showing you everything. They saved that for the prequels, and in my opinion, the prequels only weakened the foundation of the originals. The mystery was gone, and what replaced it wasn't very good.

So I think GI Joe could follow that sort of structure. Keep Cobra Commander mysterious. Keep Snake-Eyes mysterious. That's what made them so cool originally after-all.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

I for one am tired of origin movies. I think the movie should have GI Joe and Cobra already in existence. Perhaps you make the movie about a new recruit to GI Joe, let's say it's Duke. So he can be your main protagonist, still green and new to the organization. Hawk is in charge, and all the other key players are already Joes. Duke has been brought in by Hawk personally due to his flawless record and outstanding leadership skills to be the field leader of the team. Perhaps Hawk does this because he is planning on stepping down and wants Duke to replace him.

One thing is certain, IMO, and that is that there should be some real heat between Duke and Snake Eyes. Not necessarily over Scarlett but there should definitely be a sense that they don't get along too swell. Basically I think any tension between the two should be attributed to Duke being sympathetic to Snake Eyes injuries and Snake Eyes basically giving him the cold shoulder because he doesn't want the sympathy.

I'm just throwing ideas out there. But I like the idea of having your fresh set of eyes discover these characters who already exist. Sort of like Luke Skywalker, taking his first steps into a much larger world. Only without the whining along the way.

If G.I. Joe were like Star Wars who would be Luke and who would be Han, Chewie, Leia, C3-PO, etc.? Scarlett is definitely Leia.

Along the way, we uncover bits and pieces about these characters histories and backstory. I don't think it necessarily needs to be shown on screen. Dialog and briefings can reveal all you need to know, while maintaining an aura of mystery about these characters.

Part of making GOOD movies is making characters that the audience can bond with and feel sympathy for and root for. The problem is NOT having the backrounds too help and do that, although it does help. The problem IS I think this movie is going to move way, way, way too fast to allow people to get to know and love the characters. That is why I am an advocate for a more slowly paced intro film that is origins based.

hate to come back to Star Wars, but the Original Trilogy did an excellent job of relaying origins and back-story without showing you everything. They saved that for the prequels, and in my opinion, the prequels only weakened the foundation of the originals. The mystery was gone, and what replaced it wasn't very good.

Star Wars had something else going for it though. It was completely original at the time, a space western. What G.I. Joe will lack in originality compared to Star Wars it must make up elsewhere.

That is where people are wrong in their judgement of the prequels. The original trilogy stood alone when it came out. The prequels weren't original at all, how could they have been? LIKE I SAID, 'PEOPLE LIKE ORIGINALITY' and this G.I. Joe they currently are proposing is not. Even more, blatant attempts at being original are always a bad idea.

So I think GI Joe could follow that sort of structure. Keep Cobra Commander mysterious. Keep Snake-Eyes mysterious. That's what made them so cool originally after-all.

There's mysterious and there's hiding. Snake Eyes isn't a saint. He has
some very dark periods in his past and I think it is only fair to let the audience know before they go rooting for him. I realize it would be unecessary exposure to show every detail of the characters past. It's only necessary to show your audience what they NEED to know. I think they do need to know a little bit about Snake Eyes because of his 'conditions.'

WHAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN:
1. Some of the skeleton's in his closet. Snake Eyes may be the only member of G.I. Joe who came in to it with baggage, lots of it. In many ways being in G.I. Joe is a blessing to him and a lot more welcomed, and easier, than for most others. Snake EYes is the unchallenged genious who has to challenge himself because no one else can.

2. His connection to Cobra Commander. Any connection between the head villain and the top supporting hero, or maybe even main hero, has to be known.

3. Connection to Storm Shadow. Most of this can be saved for a Snake Eyes solo movie but there should be no doubt that the two have deep
history.

WHAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE KNOWN:
1. The Vietnam affair with Storm Shadow and Stalker. This is something that can be used for the solo film.

2. Snake Eyes time in the Arashikage Clan. Again, something for the solo film.

UNDECIDED
The only issue I am undecided on with Snake Eyes and G.I. Joe is whether or not to show the cause of his injuries. If Snake EYes speaks in any of the origin parts I want to include then it almost has to be shown why he no longer speaks. If he doesn't speak in the origins scenes thenit really wouldn't have to be explained why he's wearing the mask and not talking until his face is inevitably shown.

The best solution in my mind right now is to not show the injuries happen but perhaps a scene afterwards of him in the hospital, face bandaged, and Scarlett telling him how grateful she is for him saving her. And of course, he doesn't see Duke with his hand on her shoulder the entire time.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

An intresting marketing idea for Snake Eyes could be to have a contest where people have to vote on 'Who Is Snake Eyes?' The winner would get like $1,000,000 or something with contest sponsors like Doritos and Coke.

Of course, the identity of Snake Eyes would have to be classified 'TOP SECRET' all during filming and any backround stories would have to be scrapped.

I still prefer the good film to the clever marketing strategy. Going for the money would make for a very bad movie.