John M. Chu And Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Discuss Bruce Willis' Role In G.I. JOE: RETALIATION
One of the biggest surprises in the early days of G.I. Joe: Retaliation's production was the news that Bruce Willis (A Good Day To Die Hard) had been cast as the original G.I. Joe, Joe Colton. Hit the jump to read director John M. Chu and star Dwanye Johnson's thoughts on Willis' role in the sequel.
Source: Paramount Pictures UK
As you may have only just recently learned in our n-depth feature on the history of G.I. Joe comic books, it all began in World War II with Colonel Joe Colton. Well, G.I. Joe: Retaliation director John M. Chu decided early on that he wanted to pay homage to those early years by introducing the character to the big screen franchise. "We wanted to connect all those different incarnations by bringing it back to where it all started with the original 12” action figure Joe. Joe Colton coming back into the picture was something we thought was really exciting." However, who on Earth could the filmmakers find to bring such a beloved creation to life in the movie? "Who else could embody the soul and spirit of the original G.I. JOE but Bruce Willis?" asks Chu. "Joe Colton is a mysterious character who’s been talked about in some of the comic books but not fully realized. So when Bruce Willis comes here and fills in all the gaps, it became very clear that Joe Colton is a huge presence in the soul of G.I. Joe."
This is a sentiment echoed by star Dwayne Johnson, who couldn't quite believe his luck when he found himself working side-by-side with the legendary action movie star. "Bruce Willis is the ultimate man’s man. He couldn’t have been more perfect for the role. Bruce and I have been buddies for a long time and I was over the moon when I found out he was going to be involved. As a fan of action myself, it’s pretty cool to see Bruce and I on the screen kickin’ all kinds of butt!" As it turns out, Chu felt exactly the same as he stood back and observed the actors together on-screen all at the same time. "There were only a few moments in the movie where I just stopped and thought ‘I can’t believe this is happening right now’ and when you’re in a room with Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis and there’s Snake Eyes, I was speechless."
Check out photos and video from the G.I. Joe: Retaliation London press conference HERE.
In this sequel, the G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. The film stars D.J. Cotrona, Byung-hun Lee, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Stevenson, Channing Tatum with Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson. Directed Jon M. Chu, and produced by Lorenzo di Bonventura and Brian Goldner, from screenplay by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick based on Hasbro’s G.I Joe characters.
STARRING:
Channing Tatum as Duke
Dwayne Johnson as Roadblock
Bruce Willis as General Joseph Colton
Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye
Ray Park as Snake Eyes
Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow
Ray Stevenson as Firefly
RZA as Blind Master
Arnold Vosloo as Zartan
D.J. Cotrona as Flint
Elodie Yung as Jinx
Stephen Martines as Cross-Country
Eddie Hargitay as Tunnel Rat
Joseph Mazzello as Mouse
RELEASE DATE: March 27th, 2013.