Three possible "Joe 2" directors named?

[Timstuff]

OK, according to Latino Review, they've learned the names of 3 possible directorial candidates who might be taking the helm on the sequel to GI Joe: Rise of Cobra. One of these names has me very excited, one has me yawning, and the last one has me cringing. So let's take a look see, shall we?

1.) F. Gary Gray - Of the three candidates, he's the one I'd trust to do the movie right. His director creds include The Italian Job (remake), Man Apart and Law Abiding Citizen. He has experience with action and thriller movies, and he's got the range that he could bring some real character drama to the Joe 2 which the first one was lacking. He's a definite upgrade from Sommers, and I'd say if he gets the gig the movie is in good hands.

2.) Jaume Collet-Serra - This gets a big "meh" from me. He's done a couple of horror movies that were met with lukewarm to mediocre reviews like House of Wax (remake) and Orphan. I honestly don't know what to expect if for some reason got the gig. He could be worse, better, or about the same as Sommers, but there's no real way to tell which. I haven't seen any of his work, but he's nothing to get excited about.

3.) John Chu - Three words: "AW HELL NAW!" If F. Gary Gray was the gold trophy in this lot, John Chu would be a big steamy dookie wrapped up in aluminum foil. Seriously, this guy is such a horrible suggestion that I hope to goodness that he was put in there as a joke. He is basically a music video director who makes feature films targeted at tasteless tweens. His major credits include the Step Up sequels, and (brace yourselves) Justin Bieber's new concert movie. Seriously, they might as well just have the movie directed by Aids if they're going to pick this clown.

No idea how accurate LR's source is, but if there's any truth in it, I hope F. Gary Gray is the one who gets the gig. We could actually get a very solid action film with him at the helm. As for the other two... Eh, if he doesn't get the gig, I hope Paramount digs a might bit deeper before they settle on a choice.

http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-g-i-joe-sequel-shortlist-directors-12563

 

[tamron]

I agree, F. Gary Gray would be the choice if it were up to me.

The Italian Job was solid popcorn fare. And I've always thought The Negotiator is an underrated gem. Really solid thriller. Also, TIJ and Set It Off in particular show a solid ability to handle ensemble casts, another plus in a franchise like Joe.

 

[TheVileOne]

Of those 3 F. Gary Gray is the only legit choice.

The Step Up sequels are ****ing horrendous.

 

[cronosred]

Out of that list it's not hard to choose which one should get the job.

 

[Timstuff]

I know, right? I can't help but wonder if the producers had already decided that they wanted Gray and just threw in the other two names for canon fodder during the selection process, just so they can say they looked at more than one director.

 

[tamron]

The Hollywood Reporter saying it's down to Gray and Chu now.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision/f-gary-gray-two-others-99696

 

[Philly Phanboy]

Out of all the possible replacements this shortlist is truly awful.

I thought the whole idea of getting a replacement director was be an improvement on Sommers version. These guys are just hacks that will work cheap.

 

[Timstuff]

The Hollywood Reporter saying it's down to Gray and Chu now.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision/f-gary-gray-two-others-99696

So the middle option is gone. He recently got hired to another project, so that's probably the explanation. I just hope Paramount doesn't do a bunch of drugs and then choose Chu.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

Of the three, I'd pick Gray. But it's not a big deal if Chu gets the gig.

It's not like The Rise of the Cobra was some cinematic masterpiece and Chu would pull a Schumacher. It was a ridiculous movie; albeit enjoyable as Hell or "******edly awesome" as I prefer to call it.

 

[Timstuff]

I have seen no evidence that Chu is good at doing action scenes. So far he's proven very proficient at making movies that teenage girls diddle themselves to, but that is not the kind of franchise that GI Joe is.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

I have seen no evidence that Chu is good at doing action scenes. So far he's proven very proficient at making movies that teenage girls diddle themselves to, but that is not the kind of franchise that GI Joe is.

Same argument applies to Nolan before Batman, Favreau before Iron Man, Singer before X-Men, etc.

 

[Timstuff]

The difference is that all of them were good at directing characters. People were willing to give them a chance because they knew that even if the action was meh, they could still expect good performances from the actors and an engaging story. Chu-- not so much. He makes obnoxious, noisy things that teenagers find pretty, and if he can't direct action then he has nothing going for him. I would rather they not take chances with this one.

 

[Nathan]

They should get Bay away from Transformers and have him do G.I. Joe instead.

 

[Timstuff]

GI Joe would have actually been a great property for Bay. However, I liked what Bay did with the first Transformers movie. ROTF was a disappointment even for me (normally I'm quite forgiving of a film for being loud and dumb, but ROTF took it too far), but I'm willing to give Bay another chance with #3 since I recognize that ROTF's script was affected by the WGA strike, so I remain cautiously optimistic about TF3.

GI Joe 2, with F. Gary Gray's direction and the writing of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick could be one of the most surprising turnarounds for a franchise since Batman Begins, though. As long as they can either wrangle an acceptable performance out of Channing Tatum or recast him outright, my expectations are going to be quite a bit higher this time.

Gray's direction style has a lot more thought and nuance than Sommers', and since I expect that the script will be an improvement over the first one's beyond comparison, I think we could have a very solid blockuster on our hands. They've spent a lot more time in the writing phase on this one, which is certainly a good start, and as long as the production is not rushed and they hire Gray I think the movie will be in good hands. Even though I greatly enjoyed the first one in spite of its flaws, I'd get a great deal of satasfaction if the sequel managed to redeem the franchise in a lot of peoples' eyes. Bigger, funner, and smarter is what I'm hoping to see this time around.

 

[Green Day]

I have not seen the first movie but on the list Paramount should hire Gray. I have not seen any of his films but from what I have heard most people have enjoyed them. John Chu is very unknown since he never made a true film just music videos and concert films. Paramount should play it smart gray most likely cost more but he should make a better movie which in results equal a better box office, and high dvd/blu ray sales.

 

[cronosred]

They should get Bay away from Transformers and have him do G.I. Joe instead.

I don't think he would have done any better then Sommers, except I'm sure he would have added alot of unnecessary childish humor to the script. I'd take Rise Of Cobra over Revenge Of The Fallen any day of the week.

 

[TheVileOne]

Chu is a terrible director. He makes lame ****ing dancing movies that have no plot and **** characters. No one even saw Step Up 3D.

It would be an absolute joke if he directed a GI JOE movie.

Rise of Cobra had stupid humor in it too.

 

[cronosred]

Rise of Cobra had stupid humor in it too.

I don't dispute that but it was no way near Transformer levels which is why I find it funny when people think Bay would have made a better movie.

 

[Project862006]

poor timstuff gonna be mad lol

Jon Chu chosen for Sequel

yes the man has given us such timeless classics as

Step Up 2:The Streets
Step Up:3D
Justin Bieber:Never Say Never

http://www.deadline.com/2011/02/paramount-drafts-jon-chu-for-g-i-joe-2/

 

[tamron]

Another crappy GI Joe movie coming right up. The property deserves better. A lot better.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

 

[Boom]

poor timstuff gonna be mad lol

Jon Chu chosen for Sequel

yes the man has given us such timeless classics as

Step Up 2:The Streets
Step Up:3D
Justin Bieber:Never Say Never

http://www.deadline.com/2011/02/paramount-drafts-jon-chu-for-g-i-joe-2/

Unbelievable.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

It's not like The Rise of the Cobra was some cinematic masterpiece and Chu would pull a Schumacher. It was a ridiculous movie; albeit enjoyable as Hell or "******edly awesome" as I prefer to call it.

^What he said.

 

[Project862006]

yeah but i actually think we got a worst director lol

 

[cronosred]

This has got to be a joke, I mean really they chose the worst person from the list. If this film turns out bad Paramount will only have themselves to blame.