Lorenzo di Bonaventura Talks G.I. JOE: RETALIATION; John M. Chu Promises It Will Please Fans
Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura discusses the decision to delve further into the world of G.I. Joe after 2009's Rise of the Cobra and recalls his first meeting with director John M. Chu. Chu promises that his take on the franchise will be the version that, "any fan boy would want to see."
Source: Paramount Pictures UK
"I thought that ending the first film with the suggestion that there was an imposter in the oval office was something that was completely unique and would be an interesting thing to examine," said producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura on his initial thoughts that the ending of G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra left the door wide open for the world to be further explored in a sequel. "It was important to find a director who would really own it completely and be able to take all the multi-layered characters and treat them with gravity". That director would be Never Say Never's Jon M. Chu. "Jon and I had a funny first meeting because his experiences are pretty far away from mine and vice versa, but I discovered that he grew up with the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA mythology and understood the internal aesthetics of what G.I. JOE is and that is something that’s invaluable. After talking, we found out that we were both trying to make the same movie and it’s been a great partnership," he recalls. For Chu, there was only one concern he had; making the movie something that the fans would truly love. "I grew up with G.I. JOE and was familiar back before the cartoon and comic books, and felt that that we could tie in the brand to various generations. My version would be what any fan boy would want to see."
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.