Is the G.I. JOE movie going to be massively changed from the cartoon/comic?

[taintedFB]

I think at it's core, GI Joe is an elite anti-terrorist organization. Whether it is a US team or a UN team would not and should not greatly affect the story.

Certain characters like Snake Eyes for example could easily be from a coalition country... Doesn't mean a thing. I just hope they stay true to the original vision of Cobra. I'd love to see Serpentor, but I have a feeling he'd be in a sequel and that the main villain would be cobra commander. I hope they show him with the hood-draped mask as well as the hard metal helmet.

This movie is going to be really fun to cast.... This was my favorite cartoon and were my favorite toys growing up! I think it would be cool if it were like the arc where they were building Serpentor in the cartoon...NOT that storyline but the idea of the team splitting up and fighting cobra forces in different parts of the world and then uniting for a huge battle at the end.


I also hope they don't change the appearance of the characters like Destro, BAroness, Zartan... etc....

I think this movie may merit it's own forum with threads for characters, manips, etc...

 

[The Question]

Agreed. But nobody talks about it. Which is why I think the movie is heading in the direction it is. If they made the team strictly American, and they sneak into foreign territory to do their stuff, and the film portrays this as heroic, it would undoubtedly draw some political criticism, which the producers want to steer clear off to make the movie more appealing for families.

It gets talked about in movies. I really don't see a problem in portraying the Joes as what they are: A covert ops. military unit.

I agree there. If the threat remains within the States, keep the team within the states. If the threat goes global, make the team global. It's just a simple matter of scale and believability. Suspension of belief can only take us so far.

I don't see what it has to do with believability. Foreign forces are in other countries doing work for the secuirty of their country all the time.

I think at it's core, GI Joe is an elite anti-terrorist organization. Whether it is a US team or a UN team would not and should not greatly affect the story.

Certain characters like Snake Eyes for example could easily be from a coalition country... Doesn't mean a thing. I just hope they stay true to the original vision of Cobra. I'd love to see Serpentor, but I have a feeling he'd be in a sequel and that the main villain would be cobra commander. I hope they show him with the hood-draped mask as well as the hard metal helmet.

This movie is going to be really fun to cast.... This was my favorite cartoon and were my favorite toys growing up! I think it would be cool if it were like the arc where they were building Serpentor in the cartoon...NOT that storyline but the idea of the team splitting up and fighting cobra forces in different parts of the world and then uniting for a huge battle at the end.


I also hope they don't change the appearance of the characters like Destro, BAroness, Zartan... etc....

I think this movie may merit it's own forum with threads for characters, manips, etc...

Thing is, Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander have to be from the same country. They have a history.

 

[SBrooks1]

If they made the team strictly American, and they sneak into foreign territory to do their stuff, and the film portrays this as heroic, it would undoubtedly draw some political criticism, which the producers want to steer clear off to make the movie more appealing for families.

Making these changes are definitely because of the current bigotry about America and the American military. That I'll agree with. But to say they are making these changes to appeal to families makes no sense at all.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

Agreed. But nobody talks about it. Which is why I think the movie is heading in the direction it is. If they made the team strictly American, and they sneak into foreign territory to do their stuff, and the film portrays this as heroic, it would undoubtedly draw some political criticism, which the producers want to steer clear off to make the movie more appealing for families.

This is supposed to be just a movie to entertain. NOT a political vessel for world peace. Show me the family that won't watch the 'G.I. Joe Movie' becuse it is too American and I'll show the family on the block everyone laughs at.

I agree there. If the threat remains within the States, keep the team within the states. If the threat goes global, make the team global. It's just a simple matter of scale and believability. Suspension of belief can only take us so far.

And what about Springfield? A notorius all-american type of town that that is a front for COBRA and the stage for some key battles and events in G.I. Joe.

 

[Timstuff]

Show me the family that won't watch the 'G.I. Joe Movie' becuse it is too American and I'll show the family on the block everyone laughs at.

LOL, best quote I've read all year! up:

 

[mr. peasant]

It gets talked about in movies. I really don't see a problem in portraying the Joes as what they are: A covert ops. military unit. I don't see what it has to do with believability. Foreign forces are in other countries doing work for the secuirty of their country all the time.

Very well then. Here's something; let's say a group of North Koreans who, after infiltrating their way into the U.S. to fight a bunch of terrorists, blow up several city blocks in the process. Would you view these North Koreans as heroic? Think of it through the eyes of a hugely patriotic American and you will see where I'm coming from.

Show me the family that won't watch the 'G.I. Joe Movie' becuse it is too American and I'll show the family on the block everyone laughs at.

However, a family might be discouraged to watch a movie under harsh political criticism (if only so to 'protect' their kids), especially when there are other movies available that are more 'family friendly'.

And what about Springfield? A notorius all-american type of town that that is a front for COBRA and the stage for some key battles and events in G.I. Joe.

If you recall, I did suggest a fantasy plot idea in one of the threads for a G.I. Joe movie, featuring an all-American team with Springfield as the central setting. This shows that I'm not entirely against the concept of G.I. Joe, the American team but merely think it would only work if Cobra's plan is taking part in the U.S..

Otherwise, people will think; why didn't these guys contact <insert country's name> when Cobra was messing around in said country? Why didn't they cooperate against Cobra threat? This wouldn't be a problem for an international group, especially one free from political scrutiny.

 

[Timstuff]

So then they can set the movie in the US. I don't see what the problem there would be, since we have a great variety of landscapes, environments, and terrains to set an action movie in.

And to give the movie a little bit more flavor, they could include a couple of flashbacks from the various Joes' previous military involvement in past global conflicts, before joining the GI Joe team.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

Very well then. Here's something; let's say a group of North Koreans who, after infiltrating their way into the U.S. to fight a bunch of terrorists, blow up several city blocks in the process. Would you view these North Koreans as heroic? Think of it through the eyes of a hugely patriotic American and you will see where I'm coming from.

Well, the media would probably not mention the terrorists they were infiltrating and simply list the North Koreans as the terrorist so... I would probably see the N. Koreans as the enemy. However, if the full story was given I would have no feelings towards it and probably should be a little bit in question of these North Koreans.

However, a family might be discouraged to watch a movie under harsh political criticism (if only so to 'protect' their kids), especially when there are other movies available that are more 'family friendly'.

I think me found a member of said family.^
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

If you recall, I did suggest a fantasy plot idea in for a G.I. Joe movie, featuring an all-American team with Springfield as the central setting. This shows that I'm not entirely against the concept of G.I. Joe, the American team but merely think it would only work if Cobra's plan is taking part in the U.S..

What exactly are COBRA's motives going to be? I'm guessing their ultimate goal is global control and we all know if someone is going to conquer the world they have to go through the U.S..

Otherwise, people will think; why didn't these guys contact <insert country's name> when Cobra was messing around in said country? Why didn't they cooperate against Cobra threat? This wouldn't be a problem for an international group, especially one free from political scrutiny.

This would be best as a U.S. television mini-series.

 

[Desslar]

If G.I. Joe was a strictly American unit (as opposed to an international one with international jurisdiction), this would bear a great resemblance to the US-led invasions in that it's America running around, doing whatever they want wherever they want regardless of the laws laid down by international bodies (like the U.N.).

It wouldn't bear any resemblance to real world events, because the Joes would be chasing Cobra, a bunch of cartoonish buffoons in ridiculous costumes who definitely have no connection with reality. Nobody is going to watch Joes parachute onto Cobra Island to stop Cobra Commander from carving his face on the moon (or whatever crazy scheme they choose) and be reminded of Iraq.

 

[OptimusCannabis]

Dudes, At Least 30% Of G.i. Joe Is Minority Or Foreign And Nearly All Of Cobra Is. I Really Don't Think It's Necessary To Make It More Appealing On A Global Scale.

 

[mr. peasant]

Dudes, At Least 30% Of G.i. Joe Is Minority Or Foreign And Nearly All Of Cobra Is. I Really Don't Think It's Necessary To Make It More Appealing On A Global Scale.

The problem isn't so much racism but rather about nationalities. Most of the main/popular Joes are Americans while Cobra (at least the popular/main lieutenants) is largely comprised of non-Americans. This sounds a tad xenophobic, which an issue that U.S. generally suffers from, or at least this is the image we get here, overseas.

I would probably see the N. Koreans as the enemy. However, if the full story was given I would have no feelings towards it and probably should be a little bit in question of these North Koreans.

Which is precisely my point. Would you watch a movie featuring North Koreans charging into the U.S., doing whatever they want under the name of catching terrorists? This work both ways; just as you wouldn't find these heroes particularly 'heroic', the international won't find these heroes particularly 'heroic' either if they were comprised solely of Americans.

It wouldn't bear any resemblance to real world events, because the Joes would be chasing Cobra, a bunch of cartoonish buffoons in ridiculous costumes who definitely have no connection with reality. Nobody is going to watch Joes parachute onto Cobra Island to stop Cobra Commander from carving his face on the moon (or whatever crazy scheme they choose) and be reminded of Iraq.

It does bare resemblance in the thematics, motives and mentality of the issue. What makes Afghanistan any different from Cobra Island, aside from the fact that the latter doesn't exist? The fact is, there are parallels that can be drawn. I somehow get the feeling that Hasbro doesn't want to get involved in this political issue, thus why they're making it an international group.

 

[Timstuff]

Well, one major difference would be that Cobra Island wouldn't be somewhere that innocent civilians would be likely to get caught in the crossfire or have their infrastructure displaced as a result of Cobra's defeat.

 

[SBrooks1]

Fox News just ran a little blurb called "Is G.I. Joe still a real American hero?". Maybe that will start a little firestorm of controversy...

 

[Desslar]

It does bare resemblance in the thematics, motives and mentality of the issue. What makes Afghanistan any different from Cobra Island, aside from the fact that the latter doesn't exist? The fact is, there are parallels that can be drawn. I somehow get the feeling that Hasbro doesn't want to get involved in this political issue, thus why they're making it an international group.

The world doesn't seem to have been very offended by the latest Die Hard film, and this one will be much less connected to real events.

I'd say there's a huge difference between Cobra Island and Afghanistan. There are no interest groups to represent the fictional residents of the fictional Cobra Island, and thus there's no one to be offended.

 

[Wolfman]

I'm too tired to read all these messages, but to answer the topics question; I hope not. I got into the comics when it was allready cancelled. I collected almost every issue from comicbook stores and flea markets, anywhere I could find them. I was pre-teen back then, and wasnt politically aware of things as I am now. Anyways, it was called Action Force in my country, before the name switched to G.I.JOE. I haven't read them in years, but I don't remember them being very patriotic or anything, exept maybe the last issue where the group is dispanded and they're base shut down (I've just recently learned from wikipedia that the comic is still going in U.S.!). Maybe I should check them (my collection) out again, to see would I still enjoy them, as I am more aware of things. My point of this long "Quick Reply" - as I intendet it - is that I don't see any fooking reason for the Action MAN to be in this. There is enough character in the G.I.JOES and Cobras to fill an entire trilogy!

 

[taintedFB]

I want all the popular characters from the cartoon and I want them to look the part!

 

[mr. peasant]

The world doesn't seem to have been very offended by the latest Die Hard film, and this one will be much less connected to real events.

I'd say there's a huge difference between Cobra Island and Afghanistan. There are no interest groups to represent the fictional residents of the fictional Cobra Island, and thus there's no one to be offended.

People can be offended even if their country is not portrayed. There is such a thing as symbolism, to which people might see Cobra Island's invasion as a symbol for the invasion of Afghanistan and/or Iraq or the depiction that such actions were indeed the right thing to do. The parts that people are likely to take offense to are these:

- America invading a foreign nation (and Cobra Island would have to be that to realistically explain why no other country has yet to blow it up since it's too big and obvious to be a terrorist headquarters alone).

- The idea that America has the right to mobilize military forces anywhere they so wish, even on foreign soil without international request, support or cooperation.

- The concept that the world at large doesn't seem to care about the terrorist threat and that America is the only force working against said terrorists while everyone else pretends not to know.

- The concept that only America, and America alone has the power to fight and actually win against terrorism around the world, and thus are the ones who will save the world (while not nearly as offensive, it is definitely cliched and will get some eye-rollings in the cinemas).

 

[The Question]

People can be offended even if their country is not portrayed. There is such a thing as symbolism, to which people might see Cobra Island's invasion as a symbol for the invasion of Afghanistan and/or Iraq or the depiction that such actions were indeed the right thing to do. The parts that people are likely to take offense to are these:

- America invading a foreign nation (and Cobra Island would have to be that to realistically explain why no other country has yet to blow it up since it's too big and obvious to be a terrorist headquarters alone).

- The idea that America has the right to mobilize military forces anywhere they so wish, even on foreign soil without international request, support or cooperation.

- The concept that the world at large doesn't seem to care about the terrorist threat and that America is the only force working against said terrorists while everyone else pretends not to know.

- The concept that only America, and America alone has the power to fight and actually win against terrorism around the world, and thus are the ones who will save the world (while not nearly as offensive, it is definitely cliched and will get some eye-rollings in the cinemas).

There is a very simple solution to all of thise: Have the damn movie take place in America. Cobra is an American terrorist group. G.I. Joe is an American military unit. It makes perfect sense.

 

[mr. peasant]

There is a very simple solution to all of thise: Have the damn movie take place in America. Cobra is an American terrorist group. G.I. Joe is an American military unit. It makes perfect sense.

Agreed, that would be a plausible solution.

 

[bullets]

this movie cant happen

 

[Timstuff]

There is a very simple solution to all of thise: Have the damn movie take place in America. Cobra is an American terrorist group. G.I. Joe is an American military unit. It makes perfect sense.

I've been saying this for a while. GI Joe is American, and Cobra is American, so why can't the movie take place in America? Not every movie has to be shot in exotic James Bond esque locales. GI Joe is an action movie. I would be just as happy seeing a Joe vs. Cobra shootout in an American redwood forest as I would be seeing it in a jungle in some foreign country, or an American desert vs. one in the Middle East. America has plenty of variety in our land to shoot an epic looking action movie, and if it means that GI Joe doesn't have to be butchered for political correctness, why not film it here?

 

[The Question]

I've been saying this for a while. GI Joe is American, and Cobra is American, so why can't the movie take place in America? Not every movie has to be shot in exotic James Bond esque locales. GI Joe is an action movie. I would be just as happy seeing a Joe vs. Cobra shootout in an American redwood forest as I would be seeing it in a jungle in some foreign country, or an American desert vs. one in the Middle East. America has plenty of variety in our land to shoot an epic looking action movie, and if it means that GI Joe doesn't have to be butchered for political correctness, why not film it here?

Exactly.


Also, if they do use Cobra Island instead of Springfielf, it should be remembered that Cobra Island is an artificial island in the Gulf of Mexico. It isn't some pre-existing nation (although, Cobra does set itself up as a government there, and Cobra Commander as a result gains diplomatic immunity for his previous terrorist actions).

 

[mr. peasant]

Also, if they do use Cobra Island instead of Springfielf, it should be remembered that Cobra Island is an artificial island in the Gulf of Mexico. It isn't some pre-existing nation (although, Cobra does set itself up as a government there, and Cobra Commander as a result gains diplomatic immunity for his previous terrorist actions).

If they did go with an American-only fare, I would think they'd go with Springfield or a greatly altered Cobra Island. Cobra Island, as it is in the comics has a too-out-there origin.

 

[Desslar]

If they did go with an American-only fare, I would think they'd go with Springfield or a greatly altered Cobra Island. Cobra Island, as it is in the comics has a too-out-there origin.

But as we've been saying, GI Joe IS "too-out-there."

 

[Wolfman]

I want all the popular characters from the cartoon and I want them to look the part!

Bradd Pitt, Nicole Kidman and maybe Ving Rhames are pretty expensive actors, don't you think? Nice manip, Snake Eyes looks dump tho, lol.