Leading the Charge: The Official "Channing Tatum is Duke" Thread

[KenK]

While I may not like the dudes music, he has had Janet Jackson, Alyssa Milano, Scarlett Johnassen, Jessica Biel etc etc etc...

Channing Tatum has had a fistful of lube and a samwhich bag.

Dude can avvy JT all he wants

Believe me, I proudly raise my pimp cup to the man, having bagged two of my favorite beckys. I'm just pointing out the irony of kevinpenni trying to clown someone for watching Step Up, despite having a JT avatar.

 

[chamber-music]

 

[Frosty81]

I was highly skeptical of the casting choice at first. I changed my mind when I saw that Michael Mann cast him as Pretty Boy Floyd in Public Enemies. Michael Mann has typically made great casting decisions in his films. Maybe Tatum just needs the right director/script combination. We'll see.

 

[DACrowe]

I just heard this casting. TERRIBLE. Duke I always thought was someone in his late 30s or so. When I think Duke, I think old, experienced badass.

10 years ago Quaid could've been Duke. I saw suggestions and I like the mention of Fillion. I think Thomas Jane would have been perfect and if he wasn't so British Daniel Craig would make a good Duke.

But casting the guy from Step Up? Can he act? Not well. He's more wooden than a 12 year old who discovered puberty.

Oh well, I mean considering this was a Stephen Sommers movie that had changed GI Joes, an unapologetically American-themed hero show about American ego and pride (in a completely oblivious, ignorant and awesome way) to a global crime fighting group centered in Brussels, this was already doomed. I mean the term GI Joe actually comes from American infantry in WWII, but people are so stupid these days, they probably figured most wouldn't figure that out.

 

[The Avatar]

this is my least favorite casting.

Tom Jane or Mark Valley, or even most blonde actors in their mid 30's would have been a better choice.

 

[BETArayBill]

the guy from step up is duke are u kidding me (inserts gun in mouth)

 

[Frosty81]

It's this type of thinking that is killing the industry. If someone isn't Mozart on their first release, then they are $h**. There used to be this thing in the industry known as, "artist development", but in an instant gratification sort of society, no one realizes this.

Now, I am not saying that Channing Tatum is the next Daniel Day-Lewis. What I am saying is that, by this sort of mentality, most of the actors that are praised today shouldn't have any work past their first film or two. Every artist, actor, director, musician has their breaking moment where they establish a name for themselves. Sometimes this happens right out of the gate, other times it happens late in the race.

 

[The Avatar]

It's this type of thinking that is killing the industry. If someone isn't Mozart on their first release, then they are $h**. There used to be this thing in the industry known as, "artist development", but in an instant gratification sort of society, no one realizes this.

Now, I am not saying that Channing Tatum is the next Daniel Day-Lewis. What I am saying is that, by this sort of mentality, most of the actors that are praised today shouldn't have any work past their first film or two. Every artist, actor, director, musician has their breaking moment where they establish a name for themselves. Sometimes this happens right out of the gate, other times it happens late in the race.

what does his star potential have to do with not being right for the role?

 

[Voyeur]

I can appreciate the idea of a young actor breaking out in just the right role. But after seeing scenes from Step Up, I suspected he wasn't really an actor. I was right. He's had no training whatsoever. Maybe he's gotten better but I guess my point is there are plenty of talented young actors...struggling actors...who deserve a huge break as well. (note: I can't believe I'm even talking about a young actor breaking into the role of Duke)

He is apparently experienced in sports and martial arts, which at least means he's qualified for action. But is that enough as the leader of the Joes?

Yeah, Fillion was my choice. I guess I should stop saying that because the role has been cast and I must accept it now...


...or make my own G.I. Joe film.

 

[The Avatar]

Fillion would be a good Flint

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

this guy is playing duke? for the love of god....ugh!

 

[Frosty81]

what does his star potential have to do with not being right for the role?

Thanks Nostradamus. Until the film is being viewed, no one ever really knows if an actor is "right" for a role. I have been let down as many times as I've been pleasantly surprised by the end result. We're over a year away from knowing if he's right for the role.

 

[TheVileOne]

I think Mark Paul Valley would've made a great Duke. Probably too old for the studio though since he's pushing 40. They got to get a hot, young guy for Duke.

Valley's not a huge name though, so he fit that bill.

 

[The Avatar]

Thanks Nostradamus. Until the film is being viewed, no one ever really knows if an actor is "right" for a role. I have been let down as many times as I've been pleasantly surprised by the end result. We're over a year away from knowing if he's right for the role.

defensive

it's clear that he's too young for the character.

 

[Frosty81]

defensive

it's clear that he's too young for the character.

Who exactly is this clear to?

I just find it interesting that he was cast in a Michael Mann movie starring:

Johnny Depp
Christian Bale
Marion Cotillard
Stephen Dorff
Giovanni Ribisi

That's not exactly a light weight cast to compete with. If he's bad, he's going to look REALLY bad.

 

[Gotham]

Who exactly is this clear to?

I just find it interesting that he was cast in a Michael Mann movie starring:

Johnny Depp
Christian Bale
Marion Cotillard
Stephen Dorff
Giovanni Ribisi

That's not exactly a light weight cast to compete with. If he's bad, he's going to look REALLY bad.

To be fair, he has two minutes of screentime. That isn't a spoiler. His character died in real life in a shootout with Melvin Purvis (I think that's his name).

 

[The Avatar]

Who exactly is this clear to?

I just find it interesting that he was cast in a Michael Mann movie starring:

Johnny Depp
Christian Bale
Marion Cotillard
Stephen Dorff
Giovanni Ribisi

That's not exactly a light weight cast to compete with. If he's bad, he's going to look REALLY bad.

Jamie Foxx has been cast in 3 Michael Mann movies, that means he would be 3 times better as Duke than Tatum.

 

[DACrowe]

Look Tatum is hot off of a dancing movie where he was extremely wooden. Sommers is not known to be one to extract amazing performances out of his actors. This just seems like a recipe for disaster.

 

[Radford]

He should be ok I think. Cole Hauser would of been a better Duke.

Tatum

i always hoped Cole Hauser would be Flint. t:

 

[nieman]

I wanted Cole Hauser to play Zandar. Think he'd be perfect for that.

But for Duke

I wanted Barry Pepper

Ethan Hawke

Michael Vartan

Channing Tatum is just too young. You got Dennis Quaid as Hawk, so whos gonna pay attention to Duke on the Joe team then. Is it too late to rally and try to get him recast as Dusty or Lifeline?

 

[Karea07]

This coming from the guy who has a gif from a Justin Timberlake video as his avatar?

Justin Timberlake is awesome. Jesus style.

 

[batfan1028]

First Look:Channing Tatum as Duke http://www.jfxonline.com/on-location/2008/02/21/first-look-channing-tatum-is-duke/#more-3502

 

[DOG LIPS]

Interesting pics. Makes me wonder how the tone of the film will be now.

 

[The Avatar]

I do not look at those pictures and think "respected leader of an elite military unit"

 

[DOG LIPS]

I do not look at those pictures and think "respected leader of an elite military unit"

The first thing I thought was Maverick from Top Gun.