G.I. Joe: Retaliationdirector John M. Chu addresses his potential return to the franchise. Released in 2013,G.I. Joe: Retaliationis, like its 2009 predecessor, based on the beloved Hasbro toy line. The sequel, which stars Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, and Channing Tatum, sees the Joes facing off against Cobra once again, this time while also dealing with threats within the government.Retaliationwas ultimately followed by thepoorly-reviewedSnake Eyesin 2021, and the franchise has been dormant ever since.
Chu is currently on the press circuit promotingWicked, butComicBook.comasked the filmmaker if there is a return to theG.I. Joefranchise in his future. While the director isn’t ruling anything out,he stresses that he’ll be quite busy in the next few years, withWicked Part Two(due out in November 2025) marking his next project. Check out Chu’s comment below:
“G.I Joe, I’m in Wicked world right now. I mean I love the GI Joe World, Snake Eyes, all those people. Henry Golding, I loved his version of Snake Eyes. Um, you never know. You never know, but right now I still got movie two to go to and I um, my Joe is Fiyero.”
What Chu’s Comment Means For G.I. Joe’s Future
No Solo G.I. Joe Movies Have Been Announced
Snake Eyeswas a notable failure in 2021. Made on an estimated budget of at least $88 million, the film made only about $40 million at the worldwide box office, seemingly putting a pin in any plans for futureG.I. Joesolo movies. ThoughChu’s installment was the most successful financially in 2013, grossing $376 million worldwide,Retaliationwas lambasted by critics, and currently only has a 29% score onRotten Tomatoes(the audience score is better but still disappointing at 48%).
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the first installment in the franchise in 2009, grossed $302 million worldwide while also earning negative reviews from critics.
Transformers' G.I. Joe Crossover Plans Can Revive The Best Part Of This $40 Million Flop
The Transformers G.I. Joe crossover film is already highly anticipated, but using the best of the failed Snake Eyes movie can make it even better.
As of writing, aG.I. Joecrossover movie withTransformersis the onlyJoeproject on the horizon. Though this project is still seemingly in its very early stages, it’s worth noting thatthe project so far sounds more like aTransformersmovie with G.I. Joes in it rather than an equal-parts crossover. Many questions remain about how this franchise blend will actually work, but it doesn’t seem like Chu will be directing it. If that film is a success, however, Chu could potentially be a part of whatever comes next, schedules permitting.
Our Take On Chu’s Return To G.I. Joe
The Franchise Needs A Change Of Direction
Chu’s comment about his return to theG.I. Joefranchise ultimately doesn’t seem too optimistic. The franchise, as a whole, arguably hasn’t yet been done right, andall three of the previous movies have been disappointing in one way or another. It’s possible that the upcoming crossover after theTransformers: Rise of the Beastsendingwill serve as a fresh start, and that’s arguably exactly whatG.I. Joeneeds right now. ThoughG. I. Joe: Retaliationwas a critical dud, Chu could potentially return to the franchise after it’s on more sure footing.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Cast
G.I. Joe: Retaliation, directed by Jon M. Chu, is an action-packed sequel featuring the elite G.I. Joe team dealing with threats from within the U.S. government, leading to a confrontation with the terrorist organization Cobra. Dwayne Johnson stars as Roadblock, with Channing Tatum returning as Duke. The film introduces Bruce Willis as the original G.I. Joe, General Joseph Colton, as the team fights to save the world from Cobra’s schemes.
