The Rock
With the news that already one month from release G.I. Joe: Retaliation would be delayed nine months until early next year, fans are still very surprised and still trying to calm down after the baffling announcement. While it was confirmed this was due to the fact that the film would be converting to 3D for a bigger international box office, rumors continued to swirl that reshoots would take place as well. Now, not only has The Rock confirmed that there will be some new shots, but rumors also suggest that the extra time may bring back one actor who did not return for the sequel, while extending the screen time for another.
*WARNING: Some spoilers follow*
Dwayne Johnson responded to a fan’s reaction to the delay when the individual told the actor that he hoped “the 3D is worth the wait.” Johnson not only reassured him, but also stated that they would be “designing new scenes to enhance 3D”.
With the news that new scenes will be coming, obviously this means reshoots will be headed into production as well. But, what else besides 3D may the reshoots include? Well, CBMreports on rumors that Paramount is currently courting Joseph Gordon-Levitt to possibly return as Cobra Commander for the upcoming sequel. Gordon-Levitt does not reprise his role in the current cut, though we’ve seen glimpses of the villain in the trailer. No actor has been deemed with the role of CC just yet, and it certainly does leave a large void open for the actor to possibly step in for just a little work.
The other big rumor happens to be that the reshoots may involve more of Channing Tatum. After the trailers, it’s become a widespread belief that Tatum’s character of Duke could possibly die in the massive raid on the Joe compound in order to properly reboot the series (though many still believe the character may not be dead after all, just presumed so). Small chatter has also surfaced that Paramount may be looking into shooting some more scenes with Duke in order to reverse that fate, but like the JGL talk this is simply rumor for now. Duke’s fate hasn’t become official just yet, and with the nine month wait it could really go either way at this point.
Finally, THR had interestingly enough spoken to director Jon M. Chu about the possibility of shooting in 3D earlier this year, and Chu gave a very interesting reply:
The Hollywood Reporter: How was it decided not to shoot the film in 3D?
Jon Chu: There was a point where we were talking about it when I first came. It seemed like a natural thing, but I told them: “I know 3D. This is what we need. If we’re going to do 3D, we’re going to do it right.” It had a certain price tag to it, and I was like, “If you guys are down, I’m down, but I do need more time to do it right.” And they were about to do it, but they cut it just a little bit short, and [I said,] “If you guys are going to cut it short, there is no point. Let’s make a movie — let’s go for it and we’ll go all out.” And we shot on film, super-35, and I thought this may be one of the last times I get to shoot on film, and it was actually kind of freeing. I mean, I love 3D and I think there is a lot you can do with it, but there is something to be said about just not waiting for anything. You’re just going. We shot so much film. I mean I think we shot 1.2 million feet of film.
Directed by Chu, and produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Brian Goldner, from a screenplay by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick, the sequel finds 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.
Starring D.J. Cotrona, Byung-hun Lee, Ray Park, Adrianne Palicki, Jonathan Pryce, RZA, Ray Stevenson, Channing Tatum with Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson, G.I. Joe: Retaliation hits theaters on March 29th, 2013.
