G.I. Joe Tidbits

By Kellvin Chavez on October 31, 2007

Here is a quick update on some "G.I. Joe" news.  Seems that HASBRO will have a close eye on the upcoming feature film from Paramount Pictures which Stephen Sommers is directing.

A while back there was word that the film was going to be based in Brussels, well according to Hasbro they tell G.I. Joe fans that ain't the case.  Here is the statement they posted in regards to the upcoming film.

Message to G.I Joe Fans

Hasbro’s G.I. Joe Team wanted to take this opportunity to clarify some of the facts regarding the G.I. Joe live-action movie that we are developing with Paramount Pictures.

First and foremost, we are not changing what the G.I. Joe brand is about.  The name “G.I. Joe” will always be synonymous with bravery and heroism.

The G.I. Joe brand has enjoyed a successful 43-year history, spanning two key generations.  The first was the line of 12-inch “realistic military” figures that were popular with kids in the 1960s and 1970s.

The second generation, was created in 1982, and is based on a cast of fictional heroes and villains that make up the “G.I. Joe vs. Cobra” fantasy.  The premise of this fantasy is the story of the G.I. Joe team, led by Duke, and their “fight for freedom wherever there is trouble” against the evil Cobra Commander and his Cobra force.  This storyline was an instant hit with kids in the early 1980s, spawning a highly popular 3-3/4-inch action figure line, comic book collection and animated series.

This movie will be a modern telling of the “G.I. Joe vs. Cobra” storyline and its compelling characters that Hasbro created 25 years ago.  The G.I. Joe team will not be based in Brussels.  Instead, they will be based out of the “Pit” as they were throughout the 1980s comic book series.  And, in keeping with the G.I. Joe vs. Cobra fantasy, the movie will feature characters and locations from around the world.  Duke, the lead character and head of the G.I. Joe team, will embody the values of bravery and heroism that the first generation of G.I. Joe figures established.

G.I. Joe is a very important property to Hasbro and we thank all of our fans for their enthusiasm.  Without all of you, the brand would not be where it is today.

Thank you.

THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS, coming straight from the big boys.  A while back Brian Goldner, the COO of Hasbro, exec producer of the film emailed El Mayimbe and bascially told him the same thing. CLICK HERE FOR THAT.

Meanwhile, IGN is reporting that  Paramount Pictures has now given G.I. Joe the green-light with a budget said to be $170 million. Filming begins in early 2008.  They are also mentioning that they were advised that George Clooney is not involved at all with G.I. Joe. There was early rumors that Clooney was to play DUKE.

According to Variety, Paramount is in talks with up-and-comer Sam Worthington to star, and the studio was down to working out any scheduling overlap with Fox, which has Worthington starring in the James Cameron-directed "Avatar."

Source:Hasbro