Goldner, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Hasbro, also produced Transformers, directed by Michael Bay. Goldner's first statement about the film was "G.I. Joe has just gone into filming this past week, with a great cast and a tremendous story all based on the comics and the animation. I think fans, and fans to come, will really love what we're doing."
So, what did Goldner offer as evidence that fans of the franchise would approve of the film? Well, to begin, he confirmed that Larry Hama, who served as the primary writer for the 1980s Marvel comic adaptation would be writing the script for the movie. He also said that the film would focus more on Hama's comics than the storyline of the cartoon - something that will be of great relief to many fans. Goldner also hinted that Hama will have a cameo appearance in the movie.
Goldner also talked about the plotlines that fans can expect to see explored in the film:
We all know of the Arashikage [ninja clan], and we all know of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, but we need to build that story. We all know the story of Duke, and the story of the Baroness. ... We know the story of Destro, but do we really? We need to go back and tell the origin story of how you get a Scottish arms dealer, who comes forward in history - how does that happen?
And Cobra Commander. In effect, this is all about the rise of Cobra Commander. ... For fans, they're really going to love this, because we take them on a journey. ... We have to go through the first chapter and then build from there.
And Cobra Commander. In effect, this is all about the rise of Cobra Commander. ... For fans, they're really going to love this, because we take them on a journey. ... We have to go through the first chapter and then build from there.
Goldner was also quick to correct rumors that the film had moved away from the patriotic tone familiar to fans of the cartoon and comic. "Duke, in our story, really represents the pre-1983 G.I. Joe," he said, linking Channing Tatum's character to the dolls of the '60s and '70s. "If those fans that grew up on the 12-inch Army man are looking for where their anchor should be, it's in Duke; he's the leader of the team and clearly American.
"But the story, just like in the comic books, was a story that took us all over the world," he continued. "That's all we were really trying to get at. And everything else that fans have heard, about the early ideas or contemplations, that's really gone. ... We're talking about a story that's going to take us all over the world, from the desert to under the water, to the mountains to cities. ... Clearly, the American military is involved, as are other forces. But at the end of the day, the force that matters is the G.I. Joe force, and the Pit, and all the things that relate to that."
Goldner also offered praise for director Steven Sommers. "...he's perfect, because if you think about his movies like The Mummy, it's the perfect action/adventure movie. If you think about what we're trying to do for G.I. Joe, really bringing back that '80s G.I. Joe from the Marvel comics - those first 155 issues are really our focus. If you think about that, you'll understand what we're trying to get at with all those characters and all the intricate relationships."
To read the full interview with Brian Goldner
G.I. Joe is currently filming and is scheduled for an August 7, 2009 release. The film stars Ray Parks, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Said Taghmaoui, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Marlon Waynes, Channing Tatum, Dennis Quiad, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Arnold Vosloo, Karolina Isela Kurkov and Christopher Eccleston.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was released August 7th, 2009 and stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung-hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce. The film is directed by Stephen Sommers.
Comments (20)
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D-Lock
Come on, Joseph Grodon-Levitt as Cobra Commander.......give me a freaking break! With the exception of Parks, Quiad, Akinnuoye-Agbaje and the guys playing Destro and Storm Shadow I think the cast sucks. I mean what was the sappy, whinny, blond haired loser from "One Tree Hill" booked or are they gonna stick him in there someplace too. I mean do they really expect us to take Marlon Waynes seriously as a badass? Bad, very bad casting. And judging from that casting it's going to be geared more towards teens than young adults-adults.
4 years agoby @d-lockFlag
systemof9191
this puts me through a tail spin
4 years agoby @systemof9191Flag
mazinger76
Please gear it to the adults that grew up with GI Joe and not to kids of now-a-days. I hope it's not kiddie! At least PG-13. I believe the comics had killing, but the cartoon was totally pristine and glossy.
4 years agoby @mazinger76Flag
VooDoo77
Thats great!Stick to what works!The comic worked .
4 years agoby @deathstardestroyerFlag
Phatlightning
larry hama may save this.
4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag
The Narrator: The Better Man
cool. i too am keepin an open mind. however i think this will be good, still no comparison to transformers 2 for me. still look 4wad to it tho.
4 years agoby @narratorFlag
CelluloidDreams
This could be really rally good or just suck! I'm keeping an open-mind! But big plus for me is Dennis Quiad!
4 years agoby @2movieguysFlag
TheEdge76
AGREE! Tis good in thy hood!
4 years agoby @cwalkenisthemanFlag
bigtiev
sounds all good in the hood baby
4 years agoby @bigtievFlag
ed_wood
Can't wait. I will see this no matter what.
4 years agoby @ed-woodFlag
TheEdge76
I'm lovin it! I am also lovin radimus' icon!
4 years agoby @cwalkenisthemanFlag
Radimus-83
still looking forward to it!!!!
4 years agoby @radimus-83Flag
They call me ITCHY BALLS
...and knowing is half the battle.
4 years agoby @danbrchFlag
Marcusx
...geez
4 years agoby @marcusxFlag
DarkTower19
if it's not great, it will be lame...and that's a fact
4 years agoby @darktower19Flag
T.Clark
Can't wait.
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
Err
you got me there, man.
ive been waiting for a live action gijoe movie for like 20 years.
4 years agoby @err2005Flag
Brian
You guys love it.
4 years agoby @brianFlag
Space101
If this turns out to be all true, then I'm 100% there! Staying true to the story line and characters will play a huge part in this! Hopefully they will show the classic characters and note the newly performed characters....
4 years agoby @space101Flag
Err
"clearly american", what does that mean?
i saw the pics of channing tatum as duke and heres some "clearly american" accessories that i didt see:
a pot belly, a skateboard, a psp, a budweiser OR a coors, a t-shirt that says "its all good" or a tabloid newspaper advertising britneys spears latest exploits.
4 years agoby @err2005Flag