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The War Over G.I. Joe: The challenges of selling A Real American Hero.
IGN.com ^ | August 22, 2007 | Stax

Posted on 08/22/2007 1:05:49 PM PDT by SouthJrzReaganite18

For the last several months, G.I. Joe fans have been voicing their concerns and outrage online over rumors that Paramount may make drastic changes to the franchise when they bring it to the silver screen as a live-action tentpole release. A new report recounting the political and marketing challenges facing a G.I. Joe movie will likely do little to quell their fears.

AdAge.com spoke with Hasbro and Paramount execs about the challenges of marketing a film about the U.S. military at a time when the current U.S. administration and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are at a low-point in global polls. When a studio makes a film as expensive as G.I. Joe will likely be, they want to know that as many people as possible around the world will want to see it.

In other words, G.I. Joe -- "A Real American Hero" -- is a tough sell. As Hasbro COO Brian Goldner informed AdAge, "There are always challenges. ... GI Joe is not just a brand that represents the military; it also represents great characters."

The paper confirmed earlier reports that the film might be marketed in the U.S. as G.I. Joe and as Action Man overseas. Goldner said, "We'll weigh our options. Clearly we do a lot of work on consumer insight."

Paramount marketing honcho Rob Moore told AdAge, "Until there's a [locked] script, I don't think you can really comment on what the international reaction will be. In Bourne Ultimatum, you have the story of what is essentially an American spy. But the characterization of the military and the CIA is: They're the bad guys. In any event, there are parts of the world where it's an issue, like Western Europe, and parts where it isn't, like the U.K., Australia and Asia."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: actionfigure; gijoe; hasbro; heroes; hollywood; hostage; moviereview; movies; wartoys
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To: All

would “True Lie” every be made today?

If GI Joe fights yet ANOTHER rouge internal american/cia operation then forget this.

What next, GI Joe action figures with walkie talkies replacing guns?


21 posted on 08/22/2007 1:44:32 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: SouthJrzReaganite18

22 posted on 08/22/2007 1:44:46 PM PDT by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
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To: SouthJrzReaganite18
I just5 hope they have better aim in the movie than they did in the G.I. Joe cartoon>

In the cartoon, they couldn't shoot for sh*t.

23 posted on 08/22/2007 1:45:50 PM PDT by uglybiker (relaxing in a luxuriant cloud of quality, aromatic, pre-owned tobacco essence)
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To: Puppage
G.I Joe works for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy?


24 posted on 08/22/2007 1:46:36 PM PDT by Romulus (Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populo.)
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To: Yo-Yo

be careful the MSM will take that picture and show it to PETA which will issue a press release decrying violent soldiers killing red tailed jumbo squirels.


25 posted on 08/22/2007 1:48:36 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: eyespysomething
When I was a kid (I am about to date myself), GI Joes were a foot tall and had incredibly realistic uniforms and gear. There were working zippers, straps, load bearing vests, even diving gear.

Joes were great. They lived a very dangerous and exciting life. When they weren't being involved in a foot-long jeep crash or being sent across a pond on a raft, they suffered numerous "realism-enhancing" injuries caused by tiny amounts of flash powder extracted from Black Cat firecrackers. Oh, and the Black Cat IED was invented at least 50 years ago, by the way.

But the Joes always won. And I don't ever remember any boy having a negative view of the military at the time. Every kid wanted GI Joe.

26 posted on 08/22/2007 2:11:55 PM PDT by Sender (A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.)
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To: MrB; All
Damn straight!

If anybody here wants to see a movie that the Hollywood Homos would NEVER have the balls to create:

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

AMERICA! F#$K YEAH!

27 posted on 08/22/2007 2:30:23 PM PDT by lesser_satan (Fred Thompson '08)
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