GI Joe director fired? | Movie News

GI Joe director fired?
Comments: 29
terometer
76%
Strike Back below!
by: Mike Sampson Jun. 11, 2009

UPDATE - GI JOE producer Lorenzo diBonvaentura spoke to Latino Review about the report and said, "It's completely untrue. [Stephen Sommers] was never asked to leave or been fired or any of that. That’s ridiculous. The movie tested very well." You can read his full comment on the matter at Latino Review using the links below.

Our pal (and recent podcast guest) George "El Guapo" Roush from Latino Review dug up a post on producer Don Murphy's message boards claiming that Stephen Sommers, director of GI JOE, was fired from the movie after a test screening returned the worst numbers in the history of Paramount. Now normally I wouldn't put much stock into what a guy on a message board has to say but Guapo says he was able to confirm through various sources that the story is true (and I trust his sources). Here's some of what the original story claims:

Stephen Sommers, the super hack director of the film fired. Removed. Locked out of the editing room. Stuart Baird, a renowned "fixer" editor was brought it to try to see if it could be made releasable. Sommers was then forced by his William Morris agents to pretend that he was working on Tarzan over at Warner Brothers doing design work, even though that film doesn't even have a good script yet. When word of the firing started to be whispered about in Hollywood, Sommers was summoned back to the editing room- but only to save appearances, Baird is still editing the movie with studio input.

It all doesn't bode well for a movie that was already struggling to gain any kind of buzz or traction among young males, the very audience it needs to make any kind of impact. There's obviously much more to the story (including how the project was rushed through pre-production because of the writer's strike), so click here to read for yourself.

Source: Latino Review

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Extra Tidbit: Cue studio denial of rumors in 5-4-3....

29 discussions Expand all
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WalterKovacs
5:42AM on 06/15/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
This movie looks like Sommers ate a bunch of GI JOE toys and comics and pooped out the celluloid for display in theaters. I'll fucking pass on this.
This movie looks like Sommers ate a bunch of GI JOE toys and comics and pooped out the celluloid for display in theaters. I'll fucking pass on this.
 
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Snake-Prime
11:24PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I believe it, this movie looks like a follower of Speed Racer to me. Just the trailer turns me off with it's corny one liners and cartoonish green smoke. Destro looks terrible and why does SnakeEyes have a mouth? Questions i'm not looking forward to have answered. Some huge bird is telling me Transformers will rock the summer.
I believe it, this movie looks like a follower of Speed Racer to me. Just the trailer turns me off with it's corny one liners and cartoonish green smoke. Destro looks terrible and why does SnakeEyes have a mouth? Questions i'm not looking forward to have answered. Some huge bird is telling me Transformers will rock the summer.
 
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philalva77
8:34PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
This will be the greatest movie of the entire summer, it will break box office records and kick TF2s ass! I can't wait to see this!
This will be the greatest movie of the entire summer, it will break box office records and kick TF2s ass! I can't wait to see this!
 
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darthmoridin
4:13PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Actually true
I had heard this from a reliable source over a month ago. I'm surprised that it didn't leak out until now. I'll add to it--there's nothing that can be done to fix the movie, and there's a move on to market it to kids, since no one over 12 will find it remotely enjoyable.
I had heard this from a reliable source over a month ago. I'm surprised that it didn't leak out until now. I'll add to it--there's nothing that can be done to fix the movie, and there's a move on to market it to kids, since no one over 12 will find it remotely enjoyable.
 
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JoeyTomatoes
3:27PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
...
My prediction is that this movie will be as well received as the first Hulk attempt. I say 2-3 years and all new players in a 2 attempt to get it right. I always felt Michael Mann should have directed this movie. Just my thoughts...
My prediction is that this movie will be as well received as the first Hulk attempt. I say 2-3 years and all new players in a 2 attempt to get it right. I always felt Michael Mann should have directed this movie. Just my thoughts...
 
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Resurrected
3:20PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Lies
"The movie tested very well"

I HIGHLY doubt that.

This movie looks embarrasingly bad.
"The movie tested very well"

I HIGHLY doubt that.

This movie looks embarrasingly bad.
 
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Kid_Zombie
2:57PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I just dont get why they gave the G.I. Joe soldiers high tech battle suits. What made Gi Joe cool was that it was a bunch of cool looking, highly trained grunts versus high tech battle armor soldiers. Watching the trailer just looked like it was cobra vs cobra.
I just dont get why they gave the G.I. Joe soldiers high tech battle suits. What made Gi Joe cool was that it was a bunch of cool looking, highly trained grunts versus high tech battle armor soldiers. Watching the trailer just looked like it was cobra vs cobra.
 
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markuskorpela
2:45PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Well, when first thing I read is "Super hack director" I start to suspect that the "source" must have something against the director, and the info MIGHT be fabricated.



It's just how it sounds when I read that text. Very negative tone. And so, it was I see, from UPDATE.
Well, when first thing I read is "Super hack director" I start to suspect that the "source" must have something against the director, and the info MIGHT be fabricated.



It's just how it sounds when I read that text. Very negative tone. And so, it was I see, from UPDATE.
 
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deja vu
2:39PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
[link]!!!

this thing is gonna suck.bad.
[link]!!!

this thing is gonna suck.bad.
 
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Call me Indiana
1:58PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I don't have terribly high expectations for this movie. I mean, they took away Cobra Commander's hood! Yeah, they don't want to be associated with KKK or whatever, but my question is, it's okay for a children's cartoon character to wear a KKK like hood but not live action? Whatever.



I always wanted to see a live action version of the cartoon. Where everyone had their own...
I don't have terribly high expectations for this movie. I mean, they took away Cobra Commander's hood! Yeah, they don't want to be associated with KKK or whatever, but my question is, it's okay for a children's cartoon character to wear a KKK like hood but not live action? Whatever.



I always wanted to see a live action version of the cartoon. Where everyone had their own individual outfits and everything. And at the end of the movie have a couple of the G.I. JOE PSA's ("And knowing is half the battle"). You know, something fun like the show, and not something that takes itself TOO seriously which is what this movie looks like.
 
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TBagNUrMom
1:49PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
if it's true
If Sommers was the one responsible for outfitting all the GI Joe characters with "Iron Man" suits, then he deserves to be fired.
If Sommers was the one responsible for outfitting all the GI Joe characters with "Iron Man" suits, then he deserves to be fired.
 
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wtf?!?
1:39PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
re: SouthernSolomon
Rag tag? not even close. they were always an elite fighting force, or have you forgotten the song - "G.I. JOE is America's highly trained, daring mission force." nothing rag-tag about that. being International doesn't miss any point, just another way of showing that high-tech military unit.
Rag tag? not even close. they were always an elite fighting force, or have you forgotten the song - "G.I. JOE is America's highly trained, daring mission force." nothing rag-tag about that. being International doesn't miss any point, just another way of showing that high-tech military unit.
 
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the_deacon
1:05PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Attack of the Show did an awesome parody of the trailer that Cobra Commander re-edited and re-named the movie, "Cobra Commander Presents Cobra Commander's 'The Cobra Commander Story'"
Attack of the Show did an awesome parody of the trailer that Cobra Commander re-edited and re-named the movie, "Cobra Commander Presents Cobra Commander's 'The Cobra Commander Story'"
 
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refuge5
12:19PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Baird
Didn't Stuart Baird fix Star Trek X too? I'm sure he can only make this shit pile better... the trailers have been really bad... Let me know how it turns out.
Didn't Stuart Baird fix Star Trek X too? I'm sure he can only make this shit pile better... the trailers have been really bad... Let me know how it turns out.
 
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randomerratum
12:17PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The Trailer Was Even Painful!
When will studios/directors get it? When you want to show us something unbelievable - like super ninja suits that are so super that one can flip out of the way of missiles... you have to sell it! It's not impressive - we see ridiculous crap all the time. If there's no tension it's boring. We just go, 'nice GCI!'. It means nothing if we don't believe the peril-- the trailers looked like Team...
When will studios/directors get it? When you want to show us something unbelievable - like super ninja suits that are so super that one can flip out of the way of missiles... you have to sell it! It's not impressive - we see ridiculous crap all the time. If there's no tension it's boring. We just go, 'nice GCI!'. It means nothing if we don't believe the peril-- the trailers looked like Team America - except not knowing it was a joke.
 
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SouthernSolomon
12:17PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
IM NOT SURPRISED
the heart of GI JOE was a rag-tag bunch of heroes not some streamlined international operative...they missed the point entirely
the heart of GI JOE was a rag-tag bunch of heroes not some streamlined international operative...they missed the point entirely
 
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razgriz21
12:07PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Well with the laughable trailer, I'm not surprised.
Well with the laughable trailer, I'm not surprised.
 
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zohan
12:06PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
awesome
this movie is one of the top movies i look forward to NOT seeing this year!



thought it was lame the second i heard about it months ago
this movie is one of the top movies i look forward to NOT seeing this year!



thought it was lame the second i heard about it months ago
 
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Hunglowman
12:06PM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
ratatataTATATATATAT
FIRING SQUAD!



FIRING SQUAD!



 
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poopontheshoes7
11:12AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Ha! If this is true I knew the movie was gonna suck. The trailer is beyond laughable.
Ha! If this is true I knew the movie was gonna suck. The trailer is beyond laughable.
 
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disposablepal
10:32AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
laughable
if only it werent finshed already maybe they would have just dumped the unfinished portion. This movie has been laughably bad since the first trailer (i actually heard most of the theater laugh out loud at the missle flipping sequence in the trailer when i saw Star Trek). No amount of editing can shine this turd into gold, it'll make a few bucks in the theater but i doubt it wont be profitable...
if only it werent finshed already maybe they would have just dumped the unfinished portion. This movie has been laughably bad since the first trailer (i actually heard most of the theater laugh out loud at the missle flipping sequence in the trailer when i saw Star Trek). No amount of editing can shine this turd into gold, it'll make a few bucks in the theater but i doubt it wont be profitable until DVD.



i have to agree with Staying Frosty, they really should have put Billy Zane though, he would have made a better Destro.
 
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muttly69
10:28AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WOW
Well let's hope Stuart Baird can do some justice to this film. I will be there opening day regardless. Cobraaaaa!!!!!
Well let's hope Stuart Baird can do some justice to this film. I will be there opening day regardless. Cobraaaaa!!!!!
 
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The_DUDE_Abides
10:00AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Everyone just needs to chill. If this movie is a turd, which it probably is, they'll start plans for a reboot, remake, re-imagining or whatever the hell they want to call it the day after it's released.
Everyone just needs to chill. If this movie is a turd, which it probably is, they'll start plans for a reboot, remake, re-imagining or whatever the hell they want to call it the day after it's released.
 
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Staying Frosty
9:43AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Billy Zane
Seriously, they need to bring Billy Zane in, and add him to the movie... Billy Zane can do no wrong, and will save any movie... put him in Battlefield Earth, oscar worthy... ZANE IT
Seriously, they need to bring Billy Zane in, and add him to the movie... Billy Zane can do no wrong, and will save any movie... put him in Battlefield Earth, oscar worthy... ZANE IT
 
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Netforce
9:41AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Totally agree with you Nickula11, Van Helsing did suck (at least enough for me to fall asleep in the cinema). And honestly, from what I see from trailers and ads, this movie looks like a corny/guilty pleasure at best. Sure it's gonna make money internationally and enough toys will be bought by kids who like this kind of stuff. As for the movie itself, I don't have much faith on it. Especially...
Totally agree with you Nickula11, Van Helsing did suck (at least enough for me to fall asleep in the cinema). And honestly, from what I see from trailers and ads, this movie looks like a corny/guilty pleasure at best. Sure it's gonna make money internationally and enough toys will be bought by kids who like this kind of stuff. As for the movie itself, I don't have much faith on it. Especially with the news Sommers got fired, this movie might get a lot of rotten tomatoes on rottentomatoes website, hahaha. Oh joy.
 
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SpiralEye
9:32AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Anyone with half a brain knows this movie is going to suck. Look at it. Ugh. This thing was doomed from the beginning with someone like Sommers attached. I'll enjoy Ray Parks's 5 minutes, though, i'm sure. Sommers should next take on Indy 5, since the last one was like The Mummy movies anyway. Lucas + Sommers = Mutt Jones and the Jungle of Anti-Russian Monkeys. Hop to it boys.
Anyone with half a brain knows this movie is going to suck. Look at it. Ugh. This thing was doomed from the beginning with someone like Sommers attached. I'll enjoy Ray Parks's 5 minutes, though, i'm sure. Sommers should next take on Indy 5, since the last one was like The Mummy movies anyway. Lucas + Sommers = Mutt Jones and the Jungle of Anti-Russian Monkeys. Hop to it boys.
 
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MoviezAreMyLife
9:25AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Great news!
Then, we can finally get rid of those stupid accelerator-wannabe Iron Man suits, get a Cobra Commander that looks like Cobra Commander, a Destro people will be pleased to see, and a movie that feels Joe-oriented.



And why the hell did they make Destro British? Ripcord I don't care what race he is as long as he is a wisecracker and good at his job but why'd they make Destro British?
Then, we can finally get rid of those stupid accelerator-wannabe Iron Man suits, get a Cobra Commander that looks like Cobra Commander, a Destro people will be pleased to see, and a movie that feels Joe-oriented.



And why the hell did they make Destro British? Ripcord I don't care what race he is as long as he is a wisecracker and good at his job but why'd they make Destro British?
 
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frackinjackson
9:21AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
GOOD - ABOUT TIME!
We might not get a decent Gi-Joe movie but at least this means we (hopefully) won't be seeing any more of his hackness, Steve Sommers, excuses for movies for a long long time (if ever again).
We might not get a decent Gi-Joe movie but at least this means we (hopefully) won't be seeing any more of his hackness, Steve Sommers, excuses for movies for a long long time (if ever again).
 
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nickula11
9:14AM on 06/11/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
HA hA!
Super hack is right. How can you make a movie like Van Helsing suck?

Good riddance.



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Super hack is right. How can you make a movie like Van Helsing suck?

Good riddance.



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