This morning I came across some great news in the USA Today. As a child, I used to love all the superhero and cartoon toys, but no other compared to my G.I. Joes, the elite military unit of diverse characters all fighting the evil Cobra Commander. Now, being that I am only 21, I only got to experience the 2nd generation of toys (which were WAY better than the 1st generation because of the life-like movable joints and the fact that they don’t look like Malibu Barbie Ken) and the TV show to boot. Although G.I. Joe seemed like a part of the past, the minds that came up with the Transformers re-make are at it again, filming a live-action G.I. Joe film slotted for a 2009 delivery.
From what I can tell, the cast is going to include Sienna Miller, Channing Tatum, Dennis Quaid, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Ray Park (AKA Darth Maul from Star Wars I (or IV depending on how you look at it)). This seems like an alright cast, and being a fan, something I am definitely going to see. The big problem seems to be Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun and a great less-known indie film called Brick. Many people seemed to be outraged at his casting, as the Cobra Commander. Now, I can honestly say that I am a fan of Gordon-Levitt, but I fail to see any connection between his past characters and the evil arms dealer Cobra Commander. I mean, c’mon, just look at the guy and look at Cobra Commander:
I guess you could say that the only saving grace of casting the Cobra Commander as Gordon-Levitt is that no one is going to see his boyish face during the movie. So, with the bad casting not really playing into the film all that much, I expect great things form the same people who handled Transformers so well. And to all the haters out there calling out the casting director: Who cares? Half the characters faces are covered, and I can’t see how the actors are going to fuck up moving their body parts. Shit, If Gordon-Levitt wants to do every take with his eyes closed that’s fine.
The point is, the people that are taking shots right now are gonna be the first in line for the film anyways, and even though some of the actors might seem like stretches for the parts, think about the parts. G.I. Joe is science-fiction based around an elite military group fighting a guy namd “Cobra Commander.” The acting may be as bad as some think, but hey, look at SAW I, II, III, and IV. Put that glock in Gordon_Levitt’s hands and pull down that mirror-mask. Action!
