G.I. Joe: Retaliation Information

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (also known as G.I. Joe 2 or G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation) is an upcoming 2013 American science fiction action film directed by Jon M. Chu, based on Hasbro's G.I. Joe toy, comic and media franchises. It is a sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. The film was written by Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. G.I. Joe: Retaliation features an ensemble cast, starring Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson, with Channing Tatum, Arnold Vosloo, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce, and Lee Byung-hun reprising their roles from the first film. The North American release date is March 28, 2013.

Plot

After the G.I. Joes are framed as traitors by Zartan, who is still impersonating the President of the United States, the Cobra Commander now has all the world leaders under Cobra's control, with their advanced warheads aimed at innocent populaces around the world. Outnumbered and out gunned, the Joes form a plan with the original G.I. Joe General Joseph Colton to overthrow the Cobra Commander and his allies Zartan, Storm Shadow and Firefly.

Cast

• Bruce Willis as General Joseph Colton
• Dwayne Johnson as Roadblock
• D.J. Cotrona as Flint
• Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow
• Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye
• Ray Park as Snake Eyes
• Jonathan Pryce as the President of the United States
• Ray Stevenson as Firefly
• Channing Tatum as Duke
• Arnold Vosloo as Zartan
• RZA as Blind Master
• Elodie Yung as Jinx
• Joseph Mazzello as Mouse
• Walton Goggins as Warden Nigel James
• Robert Catrini as the Israeli President
• Luke Bracey as Cobra Commander
  • Robert Baker as the voice of Cobra Commander

Production

Development

After the successful release of The Rise of Cobra, Rob Moore, the studio vice chairman of Paramount Pictures, stated in 2009 that a sequel would be developed. In January 2011, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the writers of Zombieland, were hired to write the script for the sequel. The movie was originally thought to be titled G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes, which was later denied by Reese. Stephen Sommers was originally going to return as director of the sequel, but Paramount Pictures announced in February 2011 that Jon Chu will direct the sequel. In July 2011, the sequel's name was revealed to be G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Chu stated that his film will be much different from the original. He said that they do address killing off the characters from the first film a little bit in his film, but his movie is about the new characters, and that it was partially his idea to reboot the franchise. According to Chu, the comic book interprets it in one way, and even the cartoon series switched theme songs in the middle, so everybody interprets it in a different way. "It's the same world, but at a different point, so let's pay homage to the old stuff, but also do new stuff."

Casting

In January 2011, it was confirmed that Byung-hun Lee will reprise his role as Storm Shadow in the sequel. Channing Tatum and Ray Park are also returning to the film as Duke and Snake Eyes, respectively. Rachel Nichols, the actress who played Scarlett in the first film, said that most cast members will not be returning, except for the three aforementioned actors. In March 2011, Sienna Miller stated that she would not be returning for a sequel. Joseph Gordon-Levitt also confirmed that he will not be returning as Cobra Commander in the sequel.

In June 2011, Dwayne Johnson was cast as Roadblock, D.J. Cotrona and RZA were cast as Flint and Blind Master respectively, while Elodie Yung was in talks for the role of Jinx. In July 2011, Adrianne Palicki was confirmed for the lead female role of Lady Jaye, and Ray Stevenson was confirmed to portray the villain Firefly. Arnold Vosloo also confirmed that he would reprise his role of Zartan, and Joseph Mazzello was confirmed to play Mouse. In August 2011, Walton Goggins was added as Warden Nigel James, and it was confirmed that Bruce Willis was cast to star in the film as the original G.I. Joe. Ray Park also revealed that Snake Eyes' pet wolf, Timber, would be appearing in the sequel.

In September, a casting call sheet leaked to the Internet revealed that Cobra Commander would appear in the sequel, though it was unknown who will play the character. Chu said that fans will get a glimpse of Destro in the film, but Christopher Eccleston will not reprise his role in the sequel. On May 1, 2012, it was confirmed by Jon Chu that G.I. Joe: Retaliation's Cobra Commander is Rex Lewis, the same character that Joseph Gordon-Levitt played in The Rise of Cobra. Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir was reported to play the new Cobra Commander, although it hasn't been confirmed by Chu. Actor Robert Baker confirmed that he's the voice of Cobra Commander.

Filming

Principal photography began in August 2011 in Louisiana. On November 22, 2011, a crew member died in an accident at a New Orleans warehouse that was serving as a soundstage for the production. The incident happened while crew members were changing out a set.

Release

Previously slated for release on June 29, 2012, Paramount announced in May 2012 that they were delaying the film's release until March 28, 2013, officially to add 3D and boost interest in international markets.

The delay "gobsmacked" the film industry, according to Deadline.com, because Paramount had begun a substantial advertising campaign after the Super Bowl commercial, because "warehouses full of" toys were waiting for the film's launch, and it was one of only three Paramount-produced films scheduled for Summer 2012 release along with The Dictator and Katy Perry: Part of Me. Deadline stated that the real reason for the delay was to reshoot scenes to strengthen Tatum's character's relationship with Johnson's, reportedly the most popular aspect in test screenings, and—more importantly—change the plot to avoid Tatum's character's death early in the film, as Tatum has become a star with the successful The Vow and 21 Jump Street. The studio also wanted to avoid competing with Tatum's Magic Mike, also scheduled for June 29, Deadline reported.

Promotion

On December 12, 2011, the premiere trailer for the film was released on YouTube exclusively from Machinima.com. The trailer itself features a remix of the White Stripes' song "Seven Nation Army" by The Glitch Mob. Following the release of the trailer, Interview magazine featured G.I. Joe: Retaliation in "Thursday video Face-Off" against the indie film Alter Egos on January 12, 2012. A shorter teaser trailer for the film aired during Super Bowl XLVI, containing music by Jay-Z. A Japanese trailer focusing on actor Byung-hun Lee was released in April 2012. The second full trailer made its debut on April 24, 2012, containing a viral marketing initiative inviting viewers to interact with a website and Facebook application for the film. On December 13, 2012, a third trailer was released featuring more footage of London's destruction. In January 2013, a four-minute clip of the film featuring a ninja battle between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow was attached with the screening of Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.

Toy line

A toy line for the film was confirmed by Hasbro in February 2012. Despite the movie's release being moved from June 2012 to March 2013, the initial assortments of figures, vehicles, and role-play items were shipped to retailers, and appeared on store shelves in May 2012, before being pulled from store shelves with the delay of the film.