GI Joe: Retaliation
director John M. Chu addresses his potential return to the franchise. Launched in 2013, GI Joe: Retaliation is, like its 2009 predecessor, based on Hasbro’s beloved toy line. The sequel, starring Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis and Channing Tatum, finds the Joes facing off against Cobra once again, this time while also dealing with threats within the government. Retaliation was finally followed by the poorly reviewed Snake-eyes in 2021, and the franchise has been inactive since then.
Chu is currently on the press circuit promoting Evilbut ComicBook.com asked the filmmaker if there is a return to GI Joe franchise in your future. Although the director does not rule out anything, he points out that he will be quite busy in the coming years, with Wicked Part Two (scheduled for November 2025) marking his next project. Check out Chu’s comment below:
“GI Joe, I’m in the Wicked world now. I mean, I love GI Joe World, Snake Eyes, all these people. Henry Golding, I loved your version of Snake Eyes. Um, you never know. You never know, but now I still have the second movie to watch and, um, my Joe is Fiyero.
No GI Joe solo film has been announced
Snake-eyes was a notable flop in 2021. Made with an estimated budget of at least $88 million, the film only grossed around $40 million at the worldwide box office, seemingly putting an end to any plans for the future. GI Joe solo films. However Chu’s installment was the most financially successful in 2013, grossing $376 million worldwide., Retaliation was panned by critics and currently only has a 29% score on Rotten tomatoes (The audience score is better, but still disappointing, at 48%).
At the time of writing, a GI Joe film crossed with Transformers is the only one Joe project on the horizon. Although this project is still apparently in its early stages, it is important to note that the project so far looks like another Transformers movie with GI Joes instead of an equal parts crossover. Many questions remain about how this franchise mash-up will actually work, but it doesn’t look like Chu will direct it. If that film is a success, however, Chu could potentially be a part of whatever comes next, schedule permitting.
Our thoughts on Chu’s return to GI Joe
The franchise needs a change of direction
Chu’s comment on his return to GI Joe the franchise ultimately doesn’t look very optimistic. The franchise as a whole is probably not done well yet, and all three previous films were disappointing in one way or another. It is possible that the next crossover after the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts the ending will serve as a new beginning, and that’s exactly what GI Joe need it now. However GI Joe: Retaliation was a critical failure, Chu could return to the franchise after it was in a more secure position.
Source: ComicBook.com