Eccleston Plans to Destroy G.I JOE

By: Jarrod Sarafin, News Editor
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Source: IESB & Hollywood Reporter

It seems that reports of somewhat-unknown David Murray getting cast as Destro came a bit too early. After initially making a deal, he had to pull out due to visa issues. According to IESB (and later confirmed by Hollywood Reporter), Paramount has instead cast Christopher Eccleston ("Dr. Who", 28 Days Later) as the main villain in the upcoming adaptation of G.I Joe.

He will be starring alongside Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Said Taghmaoui, Marlon Wayans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Arnold Vosloo. Director Stephen Sommers is leading the project, which began production yesterday, based on a screenplay by Stuart Beattie.

Plot Summary: The movie will be a modern telling of the "G.I. Joe vs. Cobra" storyline and its compelling characters that Hasbro created 25 years ago. The premise of this fantasy is the story of the G.I. Joe team, led by Duke, and their "fight for freedom wherever there is trouble" against the evil Cobra Commander and his Cobra force. This storyline was an instant hit with kids in the early 1980s, spawning a highly popular 3-3/4-inch action figure line, comic book collection and animated series. The G.I. Joe team will not be based in Brussels. Instead, they will be based out of the "Pit" as they were throughout the 1980s comic book series. And, in keeping with the G.I. Joe vs. Cobra fantasy, the movie will feature characters and locations from around the world. Duke, the lead character and head of the G.I. Joe team, will embody the values of bravery and heroism that the first generation of G.I. Joe figures established.

G.I Joe will hit theaters Aug. 7, 2009.

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Comments/Responses

mckracken • Feb 11, 2008, 11:55pm •

ok thats not too shabby... i liked Eccleston as Dr Who, but has Cobra Commander been anounced yet?
Eccleston isnt THAT recognizable of a face...yet... but does this mean Destro's gonna be unmasked at some point?
they should get James Earl Jones to do the voice.. that would be great!!!

mlaforcer • Feb 12, 2008, 12:37am •

Just seeing Denise Quaids's name up there in that cast gives me hope that this might be something more than CRAP!

RaithManan • Feb 12, 2008, 01:44am •

Well if Stephen Sommers is smart....provided if he doesn't want two black eyes tattooed on his face if he ever wants to look into a director's camera to direct this movie, Destro BETTER be wearing a mask. Don't you EVEN ATTEMPT or much less generate enough brain cell power to make the same mistake when Disney did Inspector Gadget by not making Dr. Claw a concealed villian. That was not a request Stephen, that's an order. For Cobra Commander, either Wilem Dafoe or Andy Serkis.

ponyboy76 • Feb 12, 2008, 02:54am •

Willem Dafoe or Andy Serkis? Not that I`m complaining about the choices but it just seems a little weird to have them in the same sentence or for consideration. I like Andy Serkis but he`s not really an actor actor. Dafoe was in freakin Platoon.

Whiskeymovie • Feb 12, 2008, 04:14am •

Well, I don't know if it's just me, but Cobras voice always annyoed the hell ot of me....nails on the chalk board.....kind of like the voice of breaking in a chick who is a virgin, but was born deaf and learned to speak, so everytime she moans it sounds wrong. I could care less if Destro wears a helmet, or if someone is black, or white or whatever....my childhood memories aren't that important as compared to me wanting to see a good movie now.....Stephen, do whatever it takes to make this movie kick ass.

Flint521466 • Feb 12, 2008, 04:33am •

I think Serkis could pull of Cobra Commander's voice. At this point it dosen't really matter to me. I've got no hope for this movie.

hanso • Feb 12, 2008, 05:29am •

Just seeing Denise Quaids's name up there in that cast gives me hope that this might be something more than CRAP!
---------------------------------------------------

That is until you see who is attached to direct.

bluetiger • Feb 12, 2008, 05:41am •

i like Eccleston, but seriously he is not Destro. Destro was buff and masculine, deep voice. He was the contrast to cobra commander as cowardly, thin, and weird voice.

biogeek • Feb 12, 2008, 05:53am •

I think it's hard for filmmakers to fill roles of fantasy-based fictional characters that so many people are thoroughly familiar with, especially when they come from comics or cartoons. Eccleston seems to be a decent enough actor, though he definitely doesn't have the voice for the part. As hanso mentioned, I don't think any high-caliber actors will jump at the opporunity to play a comic character with Sommers at the helm. That's not to say that he can/will not make an enjoyable film, I just don't think it will break the mold.
Pony, what's the definition of an actor actor? If Dafoe defines that term, then none of the people attached to the film are actor actors. This may be a strange reference, but did any happen to play through Heavenly Sword on the PS3? Serkis played the main villian, though the role type was the opposite of this film (i.e., they digitized/mocapped his live acting). I thought he did a great job, especially with his voice acting and mannerisms.
I can't let myself get too excited for this film. When I heard Transformers was being made into a live action film, I got REALLY excited, and was ultimately let down. Though I enjoyed that film, the experience didn't match the hype. So I'll say that I am mildly intrigued by GI Joe.

rgtchtiger • Feb 12, 2008, 06:44am •

My first choice for Destro was Michael Dorn - he had both the presence and voice to lead his followers among Cobra. He's also used to wearing makeup obviously so I doubt he would've minded having to wear a mask (and I'm still curious to see how they're going to pull off Destro's mask in the film). Eccleston is a good actor and I loved his character on Heroes, so I don't mind him in the role. I am still VERY suspect about Sommers directing the film. I would much rather have a director who could have given a more "real world" spin, but instead we have the guy who gave us The Mummy, Van Helsing, and Deep Rising.

Oh, and on the subject of Cobra Commander, I read elsewhere online that he won't appear until the end of the film as a surprise appearence, possibly to set up a sequel. Not sure if that's accurate at all, but I kinda like the idea.

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Eccleston Plans to Destroy G.I JOE

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