Monday, 05 November 2007

• Geek News: GI Joe edition

  Hasbro Comments on G.I. Joe Movie
  

  Source: Necomortis

  November 5, 2007

  
  
  Hasbro has released to following message to fans regarding Paramount Pictures' live-action G.I. Joe adaptation, to be directed by Stephen Sommers and written by Stuart Beattie:
  
  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.
  
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  Okay...just so we're clear...I am excited by this.  Yes, of course I know they could make it a big steaming pile of George Lucas-esque prequel tomfoolery, but if done right...this could be incredibly cool.  Well...cool might not be the right word...it'll be cool for the fans if they do it right.  The problem, however, is that Hasbro might go the way of many a grand franchise and make a movie without the fans in mind.  Translation: a movie for junior highers.  So Snake Eyes will be able to talk and his face won't be disfigured, there'll more than likely be some surfer dude that constantly says things like "totally skeezy to my kneezy", and Scarlett will be played by Lindsey Lohan.  I don't need it to be dense with "sexiness" and I don't need Cobra Commander drinking a Mountain Dew.
  
  Don't get me wrong, there will need to be some updates, but do go off and ruin a grand franchise just because you want whatever Taco Bell extreme chili nacho 7-layered crunch combo meal to sell really well.  Don't get me wrong, I loved Transformers, but...Optimus Prime...with lips...seriously?
  
  "Q"
  
  
  

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