The May issue of ToyFare Magazine features an exclusive interview with G.I. Joe producer Lorenzo DiBonaventura wherein he reveals that he's long been a "huge fan" of 12 inchers over those puny 3 3/4 inchers. Of course, the Hollywood heavyweight is talking about his preference for the classic G.I. Joe dolls over the action figures of the 1980s.
"There are a lot of different ways that the audience has connected with G.I. Joe [over the years]," DiBonaventura advised ToyFare, "so, we're going to do our best to honor as many as we can."
He confirmed that G.I. Joe will feature an updated take on Cobra Command, as well as origins for a few key characters. The producer also promised that fans are "definitely going to see ninja and martial arts aspects in the story."
"It's been an education for me in reading the comic books and seeing the shows and getting to know the characters that I wasn't familiar with growing up," said DiBonaventura. "We've been trying to get inside Duke, who will be our lead character, and fleshing out what Duke stands for, what his internal fears are and trying to craft a story that highlights that and plays off that."
Michael Gordon's script focuses "on Duke and [newcomer] Rex, and, essentially, the conflict that Rex represents for all of the Joes and specifically to Duke."
While DiBonaventura wants G.I. Joe to be a PG or PG-13 rated "self-contained" story, the prospect of sequels is obviously on everyone's mind. That means the first film must be successful. Does the producer think a movie about the U.S. military will be embraced by foreign audiences who aren't exactly lovin' Uncle Sam these days? "What (the Joes) stand for, and what Duke stands for specifically in the movie, is something that I'd like to think a worldwide audience might connect with."
For much more of their G.I. Joe cover story, check out the latest issue of ToyFare Magazine.
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