So, some further information about the Jon M. Chu hire comes from Heat Vision, part of the Hollywood Reporter.
First and foremost, they confirm reports that Chu as the director is pretty much a done deal, but they also start talking about the potential for returning cast members. To no one’s surprise, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt is likely out, mostly due to his dance card being full after being thrust into the limelight with Inception.
They also specifically mention Sienna Miller and say that she doesn’t look hopeful to return as The Baroness, and that in fact, the role may end up “being recast or perhaps divided into a couple of new characters.”
Interesting. Sounds to me like they’re trying to separate themselves a bit from the whole Baroness/Duke/Cobra Commander triangle, which was one of the things I totally disliked about the original film. They also mention that the first priority is getting Channing Tatum back for Duke, which honestly, was probably the thing I disliked second most. But he is a larger draw these days and he could put butts in seats.
So, not a big fan of the director, but I have some faith in the writing team, and some of the writing is on the wall that the folks behind this film understand what went wrong with the first film, and steps may be taken to try to craft something a bit more recognizable this time around. Let’s all hope.
I have concerns about Jon Chu being picked as the director… His movies were all dance movies. I read he got the job due to his last movie bring the company alot of money which IMDB has it as a documentary. Do you think they choice Jon to get Channing to reprise his role as “Duke” seeing is how Channing was in one of Jon’s movies?
Also the writing team… Is it the ones behind Zombieland (love that movie).
I’d take Miller back, but Tatum…he was alright. Won’t get mad if he is back or not. Just please, please get rid of the Ripcord/Scarlett affair. It has no background. I’m more of a Snake Eyes/Scarlett guy, but even if they paired her up with Duke I would have been okay. Atleast that had some history. But Ripcord? It was horrible…
I do shudder a bit when you have a director who has made several dance movies coupled with a Duke who has made dance movies. Let’s hope Duke doesn’t dance. 🙂
But imo John Chu is still a relatively unknown director. I’d almost rather have that than a director who has a long record of movies I haven’t liked. So I am more than willing to give him a chance. Plus, there seems to be a heavy air of understanding that the first movie was off the mark in several places. That sets the stage well for a good sequel.
I was definitely no proud supporter of the end product of RoC. But I am actually looking forward to the new movie. I think what I have heard so far sounds like a fresh enough start and promising.
I’m very confused at how they will break the Baroness into two characters. Maybe the brainwashed victim of RoC wasn’t the “real” Baroness.
There was a time David Fincher was just a music video director too, and he now has some of my favorite movies under his belt (Fight Club, Social Network, Zodiac, Benjamin Button…). Here’s the good news though; we have a prime opportunity to play the “who would you cast?” game!
Baroness: Olivia Wilde
Duke: Arnie Hammer
Cobra Commander: Crispin Glover
Now, there’s no chance of that, but hope springs eternal.
I’m not expecting the Baroness in the movie at all. I remember the writers talking about the difficulty of writing Tomax and Xamot without making them sound cheesy. My guess is they’ll write the Baroness completely out in favor of the Crimson Twins. I’m glad Chu apparently grew up with G.I.Joe (which already makes him a better choice than Sommers, who knew nothing about the franchise), but I’m just skeptical in general with Paramounts decision making. Oh yeah…Channing Tatum shouldn’t be anywhere near this movie. He really couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag.
“They also mention that the first priority is getting Channing Tatum back for Duke”
EPIC FAIL!!!!
Already we know the people making this film know NOTHING about what fans want to see.
While most of us squabble about whether RoC was good and who we liked and who we didn’t. It’s hard to find anyone who liked Channing Tatum as Duke. This is just ignorant to the max.
Dead before it even started.
And just yesterday I was so positive about this film with Chu talking about how the film has to be about the Joes being heroes and respecting the original GIJoe ARAH and its history.
On the other hand, replace Baroness with Kate Beckinsale or Rhona Mitra and we’re gold again. But more then likely they will use some chick who’s just enjoying her 15 minutes of fame and has absolutely no acting talent.
Milla Jovovich should have been the Baroness from the get go.
cablev said : “Milla Jovovich should have been the Baroness from the get go.”
I would actually rather see her as Scarlett. She could actually move well enough to make the real Snake Eyes/Scarlett team work well. Rachel Nichols is just so unbearably blah and boring in all aspects; looks, acting and she has no emotion to her. Really hope they re-cast her as well.
Justin,
It sounds like things are going down the tubes, but you’re trying not to say it and thereby start an avalanche.
> Already we know the people making this film know NOTHING about what fans want to see.
True. But they don’t care. They’ve decided that G.I. Joe fans aren’t the ones with the money.
Channing Tatum being in almost means without a doubt I will be out. I tolerated him in the first film, but since this is going to be almost a complete re-boot from the sounds of things, I really can’t tolerate him again.
Well having a “dance movie” director who can make watchable dance movies is better than having an “action film” direction who can’t make watchable action movies. Of course, who ever gave the crayons back to the writers still should be jailed.