The blogosphere is all abuzz over the revelation that a new live action GI Joe film will get the Hollywood Liberal treatment. From Town Hall:

Hi-jacking G.I. Joe
Posted by: Michael Medved at 6:27 PM

“G.I. Joe” once served his country as an American icon, waving the flag and fighting the nation’s enemies as a World War II comic book hero, popular action figure, and star of Saturday morning cartoons.

But now Paramount is planning a live action version of the story with Joe fighting not for the U.S.A., but for an international organization based in Brussels known as the “Globally Integrated Joint Operations Entity”—an acronym for—you guessed it—“G.I. JOE.” This time the muscular hero won’t battle neo-Nazi terrorists of COBRA, but instead takes on arms merchants based in Scotland.

Paramount said changes were necessary for worldwide success, because the US military is no longer popular in other countries. But it seems ridiculous to think that a comic-based, slam-bam action film like this one would appeal to sophisticated quiche-eating audiences—even if the good guys are based in Belgium. Say it ain’t so, Joe.

Hasbro has since released this pandering press release:

First and foremost, we are not changing what the G.I. Joe brand is about. The name “G.I. Joe” will always be synonymous with bravery and heroism.

The G.I. Joe brand has enjoyed a successful 43-year history, spanning two key generations. The first was the line of 12-inch “realistic military” figures that were popular with kids in the 1960s and 1970s.

The second generation, was created in 1982, and is based on a cast of fictional heroes and villains that make up the “G.I. Joe vs. Cobra” fantasy. The premise of this fantasy is the story of the G.I. Joe team, led by Duke, and their “fight for freedom wherever there is trouble” against the evil Cobra Commander and his Cobra force. This storyline was an instant hit with kids in the early 1980s, spawning a highly popular 3-3/4-inch action figure line, comic book collection and animated series.

This movie will be a modern telling of the “G.I. Joe vs. Cobra” storyline and its compelling characters that Hasbro created 25 years ago. The G.I. Joe team will not be based in Brussels. Instead, they will be based out of the “Pit” as they were throughout the 1980s comic book series. And, in keeping with the G.I. Joe vs. Cobra fantasy, the movie will feature characters and locations from around the world. Duke, the lead character and head of the G.I. Joe team, will embody the values of bravery and heroism that the first generation of G.I. Joe figures established.

G.I. Joe is a very important property to Hasbro and we thank all of our fans for their enthusiasm. Without all of you, the brand would not be where it is today.

Well, there’s two sides to every story. All we know is that GI Joe was always “A Real American Hero”, and now they’re not. Instead, they’ll be some sort of UN type, politically correct version of what used to be a true American Icon. We’re wondering if Cobra Commander will still be a terrorist, or if he’ll be a “Freedom Fighter”. Yo, Joe.

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Posted on Tuesday, November 6th, 2007 at 7:20 pm.
Categories: National, Corruption, Odds n' Ends, The Blogoshere.
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