Joe Colton should have been...

[Jacklefttown]

Most of us LOVE Bruce Willis, but I'm thinking a better Joe Colton would be...

Stephen Lang. You know him as Colonel Quaritch from "Avatar" OR Nathaniel Taylor from "Terra Nova". He's a bad@$$ and he LOOKS the part!

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Terra-Nova-007.jpg

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Stephen-Lang-Terra-Nova-image.jpg

He would be GREAT kicking some serpent butt! Anyone agree?

[oliverbox]

No.
I would have gone with Tom Selleck... he grows a heck of a beard but he would need to get back in shape a little bit, or Lee Majors because he's just awesome.

[CobraCoffee]

Colton = Delroy Lindo.


http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOqj9AGSoRlRtGHmHiRuFPK3NZ8wmxP s0KOFkHQ7leUOfwA27Q


I'm sure knowing how laid back the GI Joe fandom are, they won't have a problem with a minor race change...

[TheRealDubya]

^ Love all those guys. Fine actors all.

But they're all missing the one thing we want this movie to have so that we can continue getting our toys:

Global box office drawing power.

And I knew Stephen Lang was back as Ike Clanton in Tombstone. "Law don't go 'round here, law dog." Also exceptional as Major General George Pickett in Gettysburg.

[Jmacq1]

^ Love all those guys. Fine actors all.

But they're all missing the one thing we want this movie to have so that we can continue getting our toys:

Global box office drawing power.

Hard to say, given that Lang was arguably the most popular and distinctive character in the highest grossing film of all time. I agree he's not really a "draw" in and of himself, but still, a lotta folks would recognize him.

That, and at least he doesn't just "play himself" in every role. We're not going to get Joe Colton in Retaliation. We're going to get Bruce Willis calling himself Joe Colton.

Personally? He might've needed to get in shape, too, but I would've gone with Mr. "I played all those military guys in the 80's" himself, Michael Biehn. Though Selleck is another excellent choice.

I'd have practically KILLED to see Delroy Lindo playing Stalker as the "Senior NCO" of the Joe team.

[gunslingercbr]

Hard to say, given that Lang was arguably the most popular and distinctive character in the highest grossing film of all time. I agree he's not really a "draw" in and of himself, but still, a lotta folks would recognize him.

it's not hard to say at all. nobody went to Avatar to see him. recognition and driving audience interest in a film are completely different things.

[TheRealDubya]

Hard to say, given that Lang was arguably the most popular and distinctive character in the highest grossing film of all time. I agree he's not really a "draw" in and of himself, but still, a lotta folks would recognize him.

That, and at least he doesn't just "play himself" in every role. We're not going to get Joe Colton in Retaliation. We're going to get Bruce Willis calling himself Joe Colton.

Personally? He might've needed to get in shape, too, but I would've gone with Mr. "I played all those military guys in the 80's" himself, Michael Biehn.

I think Lang and Biehn (another Tombstoner) would both have been excellent.

But all I know is that the 4 times I've seen the preview with a crowd in a theater, they're into the trailer and then when Bruce shows up, they go apeshit. My wife literally turned to me, gave me a thumbs up and said, "I'll totally see that." We wouldn't even get near that conversation/reaction without Willis, The Rock and Tyra from FNL.

[Jmacq1]

it's not hard to say at all. nobody went to Avatar to see him. recognition and driving audience interest in a film are completely different things.

Gee, maybe you should read the second part of the sentence, where I plainly stated, "I agree he's not a draw in and of himself...."

[Jmacq1]

I think Lang and Biehn (another Tombstoner) would both have been excellent.

But all I know is that the 4 times I've seen the preview with a crowd in a theater, they're into the trailer and then when Bruce shows up, they go apeshit. My wife literally turned to me, gave me a thumbs up and said, "I'll totally see that." We wouldn't even get near that conversation/reaction without Willis, The Rock and Tyra from FNL.

Yeah, I know Bruce Willis is far more popular. I'm just annoyed...not because I don't like Willis, I just would've vastly preferred someone with a little more gravitas and a little less wiseass playing "The first Joe."

[Troynos]

I think Willis is fine as Colton.

[TheRealDubya]

it's not hard to say at all. nobody went to Avatar to see him. recognition and driving audience interest in a film are completely different things.

This was my point.

Bruce Willis, in action movies, has a proven track record of putting butts in theaters and purchased DVD copies in peoples homes - around the world.

Stephen Lang, fine actor that he is, doesn't get the credit for making Avatar the success it was - James Cameron does. The brand name on GI Joe to Johnny Popcorn is The Rock and Bruce Willis. On Avatar is was James Cameron. These are just the economic realities of the motion picture business.

[Zarana]

Larry Hama

[TheRealDubya]

Yeah, I know Bruce Willis is far more popular. I'm just annoyed...not because I don't like Willis, I just would've vastly preferred someone with a little more gravitas and a little less wiseass playing "The first Joe."

As a Joe fan and a fan of not-shitty movies, I totally agree with you. And if we had to pull from actors of that era, I would've preferred Harrison Ford or Kurt Russell.

[ChicagoScott]

I agree with those saying that Willis adds drawing power. He also can add his usual sense of humor and they don't have to create a Wayans type of role to get humor into the movie. I don't think it's perfect casting, but it's very solid casting.
Willis also generates a huge amount of free publicity. When he shows up at the red carpet his pictures will end up in the tabloids and this will generate free publicity. Willis can also get booked on major talk shows like Letterman, Leno, Kimball, and others which generates even more free publicity. Those other actors are great character actors, but they'll never be in people magazine or on Letterman with a quick mention of the movie to millions.

[Lifeline_MD]

As a huge Terra Nova fan, the second they showed Taylor (Stephen Lang) on screen I wished they'd cast him a Colton. He's a perfect fit in acting, voice, and looks for the part.

Sadly he doesn't have the name recognition of Willis.

But if we weere going for just matching casting to the classic character, he was indeed the most perfect choice.

[TheRealDubya]

Willis can also get booked on major talk shows like Letterman, Leno, Kimball, and others which generates even more free publicity.

Do they have movie stars on America's Test Kitchen now, hosted by Christopher Kimball?

America's Test Kitchen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Test_Kitchen)

Oh, you meant Jimmy Kimmel. ;)

[gunslingercbr]

Gee, maybe you should read the second part of the sentence, where I plainly stated, "I agree he's not a draw in and of himself...."

no I read it, but your first part still attempted to argue that he might have box office draw by being in Avatar, even if you don't personally believe it.

My post had nothing to do with your personal belief, just the first argument you set forth which you claimed was possible regardless if you believed it or not.

[SonOfMindbender]

I think Willis is fine as Colton.

Agreed, dude it's John McClain. They should bring in Alan Rickman to play Major Blood.

[JoeMama]

you guys are f@#king crazy. BRUCE F-ING WILLIS! Did you not see Die Hard, or any of the sequels?
This is BRUCE WILLIS!?!
WHAT THE F&@K is wrong with you?
You can't ASK for a better actor!
He's going to be so bad ass that he'll pull the movie alone!
Bruce Willis, and if gets to say Yippie Kai-Ai Cobra Fu#ker it will be awesome!
Bruce Willis + bad terrorist = box office hit
It's the oldest Hollywood equation.
Now add in Carl from Family Matters, and make one of the Cobra henchmen a german guy, and we're talking Golden Globe.

[blayze5150]

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy214/blayze5150/Best-Sylvester-Stallone-Wallpapers-5.jpg?t=1327601052

This is the real face of Joseph Colton.

[JoeMama]

This was my point.

Bruce Willis, in action movies, has a proven track record of putting butts in theaters and purchased DVD copies in peoples homes - around the world.

Stephen Lang, fine actor that he is, doesn't get the credit for making Avatar the success it was - James Cameron does. The brand name on GI Joe to Johnny Popcorn is The Rock and Bruce Willis. On Avatar is was James Cameron. These are just the economic realities of the motion picture business.


you are very wise, jedi master Dubya.
True statement.

[ndb]

Stephen Lang is probably my favorite actor, but Bruce Willis is better. Older people who remember Bruce from those old shows will most likely see GIJoe just to see him. Id love to see Lang in GiJoe at some point, but I'm not sure who he should play.

[CobraCoffee]

Larry Hama

I change mine to this.

[ChaplainAsst]

You have to remember - this is a cameo, not a main character. At best, his character might have screen time of Dennis Quaid in RoC. I would rather have Stephen Lang with a main role, not some minor character.

As others have said, Bruce Willis' placement in the trailer is to attract folks skeptical because he typically is in very good action movies. If he is alive at the end of the movie and they chose to bring Colton back for another round as a larger role, then replace Willis with Lang and have a line saying, "You look different with a beard."

I wouldn't get bend out of shape over what seems to be a small role.

[Griff]

I like willis but i gotta agree Lang DEFINTELY has the look much better. Maybe if willis had donned a wig and beard instead of looking like mclaine jumped into gi joe it mighta eased us better but either actor can do the role. I just woulda preferred colton with hair and beard.

[Troops of Doom]

Lang definitely has the Joe Colton look about him.

Most of us LOVE Bruce Willis, but I'm thinking a better Joe Colton would be...

Stephen Lang. You know him as Colonel Quaritch from "Avatar" OR Nathaniel Taylor from "Terra Nova". He's a bad@$$ and he LOOKS the part!

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Terra-Nova-007.jpg

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Stephen-Lang-Terra-Nova-image.jpg

He would be GREAT kicking some serpent butt! Anyone agree?

[CobraCommandr]

I honestly don't think Bruce Willis is going to be in the movie for long. I could've sworn I saw somewhere he was only doing 1 day of shooting. If that is true, he probably has a small part and they are using his name on the headliner, posters, and face in the commercial to help sell the movie. I could be wrong about this, but if you notice, it is actually The Rock who stars in this movie.

I have no problem with this at all. For those of you who don't think he can play a soldier, watch "Tears of the Sun."

[Flint071]

I dislike Lang.

Willis can pull off the perennial bad-ass / wise-ass which makes for an enjoyable movie for me.

Then again, I really don't give a crap about staying true to the comic roots as long as it's a good movie.

[Stuart_Selkirk]

Let's wait how big the cameo is going to be.
I bet it is bigger than most of us think. It is pretty well known that he's not a time-waster at work and gets a lot done presto in one week.

He and the Rock will be the reason most people will go and see the movie.
I guerr-on-tee this movie will be majorly cool despite all the bitching from
80s era Joe fans.

[CobraCommandr]

I know I usually don't go to the movie theater to watch movies, but I will go see this. Last one I went to see was RoC in the theater. I know this one will be a lot better. It'll be great.

[Scotty97]

I actually made the same point(that Lang would've made a better Colton) in the trailer thread when it first came out. He just looks much more appropriate for the role. Yes, I understand that he's got nothing on Willis as far as box office draw and that's what they're going for. But to me it just looks like the G.I.Joe team drafted John McClane. Yippee-ki-yay G I Joes!

[Zer0G]

I just kind of wished they got Ed Harris for the film in any role.

[Headman]

One of the reasons I am willing to give Joe 2 a chance is because of the upgraded cast. Bruce Willis is a legit action star, the same could be said about the Rock. I wouldn't have given two shits had they cast the guy from avatar but Willis gets me thinking this might not be so bad. So no, they got it right with Willis. They should have made him Hawk in RoC, but Stephen Sommers is a total moron but we don't need to rehash that.

[MJjoe4life]

Lets see the movie first and then decide if we should have had someone else at colton.

[Troynos]

Lets see the movie first and then decide if we should have had someone else at colton.

^ This

Willis' performance could have people going "he was perfect as Colton".

[WVMojo]

^ Love all those guys. Fine actors all.

But they're all missing the one thing we want this movie to have so that we can continue getting our toys:

Global box office drawing power.

And I knew Stephen Lang was back as Ike Clanton in Tombstone. "Law don't go 'round here, law dog." Also exceptional as Major General George Pickett in Gettysburg.

and Stonewall Jackson in Gods and Generals

[lister]

Lets see the movie first and then decide if we should have had someone else at colton.

^ This

Willis' performance could have people going "he was perfect as Colton".

First day on the Internet, fellas?

Joking aside, I think Willis is the right choice. No offense to Lang, but he doesn't put asses in the seats. Willis is recognizable, he has a sizable fan-base, and a proven track record. Lang is "that guy from Avatar."

[Super Beast]

Noooooooooo. Lang sucks. I hate him.

Willis shoud have sported a goatee and he woulda had the look down. Eitehr way, Bruce is crucial.

[Super Beast]

Joking aside, I think Willis is the right choice. No offense to Lang, but he doesn't put asses in the seats. Willis is recognizable, he has a sizable fan-base, and a proven track record. Lang is "that guy from Avatar."

Lang is: "That smurf hating KEEEE-YUUUHHHHHH" Guy.

[JoeMama]

Bruce Willis should have been cast as Bolo.
that is all.
Chuck Norris would be a great comic book likeness to Joe Colton. Don't lie to yourself. You know it to be true.
All this talk of Lang, you'd think he's your boyfriend, fellas.
Why don't you go marry him.

[foxtrot27]

Most of us LOVE Bruce Willis, but I'm thinking a better Joe Colton would be...

Stephen Lang. You know him as Colonel Quaritch from "Avatar" OR Nathaniel Taylor from "Terra Nova". He's a bad@$$ and he LOOKS the part!

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Terra-Nova-007.jpg

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Stephen-Lang-Terra-Nova-image.jpg

He would be GREAT kicking some serpent butt! Anyone agree?
I couldn't agree with you more. He definitely has the charisma
for the part. He would have been my first choice. Just dye the hair.

[Headman]

I couldn't agree with you more. He definitely has the charisma
for the part. He would have been my first choice. Just dye the hair.

He has the opposite effect with me. I find him gross to look at and hate everything he's done.

[krooklyn]

Most of us LOVE Bruce Willis, but I'm thinking a better Joe Colton would be...

Stephen Lang. You know him as Colonel Quaritch from "Avatar" OR Nathaniel Taylor from "Terra Nova". He's a bad@$$ and he LOOKS the part!

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Terra-Nova-007.jpg

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Stephen-Lang-Terra-Nova-image.jpg

He would be GREAT kicking some serpent butt! Anyone agree?

This annoys. Just because he has a beard and has played leader type characters doesn't guarantee that it would translate well. However, I will agree that he could have been awesome, but I still like Willis cast as Colton.

[THE RED SHADOWS]

Love Bruce willis, but dont really see him as Joe Colton,

Would have preferred Lang

God I love that Actor

[Headman]

Love Bruce willis, but dont really see him as Joe Colton,

Would have preferred Lang

God I love that Actor

I like some awful actors too. Just not this particular awful actor.

[krooklyn]

I like some awful actors too. Just not this particular awful actor.

I really don't think he's an awful actor. But keep in mind, the mind of a tanker... Lang has been in some high profile gigs recently (Avatar and Terra Nova) portraying leaders and tankers can't separate themselves from how a character looks in the Joe world.

[CrimsonGuard101]

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy214/blayze5150/Best-Sylvester-Stallone-Wallpapers-5.jpg?t=1327601052

This is the real face of Joseph Colton.

Looks like he is sad panda...blah i gotta kill another person with my bow....

Colton should be Chuck Norris! even as a 90 year old frail skeleton he will still serisouly put the hurt on you! HIs beard will be there 1000 years after he is entombed in the Octogon

[Super Beast]

Bruce Willis should have been cast as Bolo.
that is all.
Chuck Norris would be a great comic book likeness to Joe Colton. Don't lie to yourself. You know it to be true.
All this talk of Lang, you'd think he's your boyfriend, fellas.
Why don't you go marry him.

When I first read this, I instantly thought it was childish, and not so funny..

But oh my god are you right...some of these posts are...interesting.

I guess it backs my belief that only the sexually frustrated like Terra Nova, and Avatar!

[starbuck]

http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/thumb/4/44/Joe_colton.jpg/200px-Joe_colton.jpg
http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ellen_20110322192422.jpg

[Darkfire]

What if he (Willis as Colton) shaved his head and beard off because Cobra was after him too, (being the original GI Joe), so he altered his appearance so he would not be easily recognizable, and went into hiding as did Scarlett and some of the other Joes when the orders to terminate them came.... just a thought.

[CrimsonGuard101]

What if he (Willis as Colton) shaved his head and beard off because Cobra was after him too, (being the original GI Joe), so he altered his appearance so he would not be easily recognizable, and went into hiding as did Scarlett and some of the other Joes when the orders to terminate them came.... just a thought.

What if he didn't have a beard or hair to begin with when he first joined up and later on after taking a desk job at the Pentagon decided to look the older part and grew it all back?

[Flint071]

What if he (Willis as Colton) shaved his head and beard off because Cobra was after him too, (being the original GI Joe), so he altered his appearance so he would not be easily recognizable, and went into hiding as did Scarlett and some of the other Joes when the orders to terminate them came.... just a thought.

That's entirely too much like a plot.

[RolandofGilead]

Hard to say, given that Lang was arguably the most popular and distinctive character in the highest grossing film of all time. I agree he's not really a "draw" in and of himself, but still, a lotta folks would recognize him.

Seriously? I think you could plaster his face all over the place and most people wouldn't know who the hell he was. Avatar was about pretty 3-D and not much else. I doubt the average movie goer even remembers who was in it beyond Sigourney Weaver and that guy that was in the Clash of the Titans remake.

[CrimsonGuard101]

Seriously? I think you could plaster his face all over the place and most people wouldn't know who the hell he was. Avatar was about pretty 3-D and not much else. I doubt the average movie goer even remembers who was in it beyond Sigourney Weaver and that guy that was in the Clash of the Titans remake.

I disagree, Lang was the most impressionable perfomance outta the whole film. He was the atagonist, the brute, the mean guy who killed the mother tree lol...not to mentnion his speeches to the troops and his sca ron his face. Peopel will not reckognize his name maybe but his face an dhis acting style left an impression for this guys future acting perofmance in many roles ot come. I didn't know his name and I rmeber him more then most of the others. I didn;t know it but he was also one of the bad guys in what was it Tombstone? with Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell...another good perofmance for him, still didnt knwo who he was but I still remebered he was in that movie regardless

The actor playing Firefly is the same way. I can;t tell you his name but I loved his character in the Other guys and the part he played in Book of Eli, both pathetic movies with the actor not doing any more of a memorable performance then Lang did in Avatar. But that didnt stop them from casting him as Firefly...I don't think COlton is that prominent an dimportant enough of a character for anyone to care who he really was be it Lang, WIllis or Mr. Rodgers at this point...

[rdodger]

I have no problem with this at all. For those of you who don't think he can play a soldier, watch "Tears of the Sun."

Good movie! Bruce at some of his best.

[krooklyn]

See, this thread is another example of why it's hard to be a "Tanker". It's one thing to speculate on a film concept, the story, the direction, the potential list of characters, etc. But all too often, Tankers inject wishful castings based on how an actor looks in relation to a characters original appearances. Sure the actors could look cool on a poster one-sheet, but seeing them running around on screen is another thing. Tankers all too often forget that what drives the film adaptions version of the characters, is the embodiment of the characteristics which make the character identifiable, not whether or not their wearing a stupid beret or gawd damn beard.

[Jacklefttown]

I love Bruce Willis. I have seen most of his films in theaters and own the majority on DVD. I'll even admit to owning the first season of Moonlighting... and it's not for Cybill Shepherd. I am very excited to see Bruce Willis fight Cobra and he will CERTAINLY put butts in the seats. I was just saying Lang looks the part and I think he's got the acting chops to pull off the role of Colton.

Wow, some of you take this stuff WAY too seriously.

[Sapper]

Chuck Norris.

That's three votes.

Truth be told, Bruce Willis would have been one of my other top choices, because there are only a few action stars in Hollywood with "god-like" status. Of course, Chuck got my first vote because he rocks the beard anyway, and his "status" as an action star is so over the top anyway. 'Course, that said he'd probably suck as Colton. Unless we could get him in a final showdown no holds barred to the death brawl with Serpentor, that would be so over the top it'd be... Over the top!!! And not like that Stallone arm-wrestlin' movie either!!

Hmm... Arm-wrestlng... Uh what were we talking about again?

[laurenluna1977]

William Shatner

or

Bruce Campbell

[BigErn]

I was with you until this.

Book of Eli, both pathetic movies

I still am, but I love Book of Eli, who cares though? Only fans that's who, and that's why Willis is a great choice for Colton. Asses in seats is all that matters at this point.

[krooklyn]

Chuck Norris.

That's three votes.

Truth be told, Bruce Willis would have been one of my other top choices, because there are only a few action stars in Hollywood with "god-like" status. Of course, Chuck got my first vote because he rocks the beard anyway, and his "status" as an action star is so over the top anyway. 'Course, that said he'd probably suck as Colton. Unless we could get him in a final showdown no holds barred to the death brawl with Serpentor, that would be so over the top it'd be... Over the top!!! And not like that Stallone arm-wrestlin' movie either!!

Hmm... Arm-wrestlng... Uh what were we talking about again?

I like Chuck Norris and I really dig his movies, but he's a crappy actor. Has no range at all.

[Steel Brigade]

Bruce Willis is cool, although I would have liked to have seen him with a beard, cause in the preview he looks kinda like an "old baby."

[CrimsonGuard101]

I was with you until this.



I still am, but I love Book of Eli, who cares though? Only fans that's who, and that's why Willis is a great choice for Colton. Asses in seats is all that matters at this point.

Well I was referring to the perofmance of the secodnary. tertiary actors in the show (aside from denzel and whats his face), nothing stellar about them, they came and went just about as quietly as most movies do these days. From an impression left by the actors is where I was going with pathetic, nothing more grandios then the actors provided in Avatar basically, yet a secodnary character in Eli is chosen to be Firefly so Lang could have been as easily chosen to be Colton on the same merits or something like that lol...

[krooklyn]

It's hilarious the idiocy and narrow mindedness, tankers posses regarding whether Retaliation's Colton should have a beard. F*** the beard and who gives a s*** if Flint ever wears that stupid f***ing beret in the movie too.

[VideoViper]

Given what I've seen in both Joe movie I just am not expecting "ARAH" like continuty.

Bruce Willis - Will do fine
Lee Majors - Ironically he was General Hawk in renegades. But I think he may have health issues that would prevent him. (Not 100% sure)
Chuck Norris - Given he would be cool in Joe, But I could see him as other Joe roles .
Stephen Lang - Would be good for the part, but they need the name more than pre-1980 Joe accuracy

[krooklyn]

Maybe I'm having an off day, but it gets old reading the same lame comments about "ARAH continuity". At this point, I am nearly fed up with ARAH. ARAH was great for the 80's. Much like Robocop, Delta Force and Lethal Weapon. ARAH has lil' to no place in the modern era. The core of modern era GI Joe is the ongoing fight against Cobra, not whether Colton should have a beard, Roadblock cooks and rhymes, Ripcord being black or Flint wearing a f***ing beret.

[CrimsonGuard101]

Maybe I'm having an off day, but it gets old reading the same lame comments about "ARAH continuity". At this point, I am nearly fed up with ARAH. ARAH was great for the 80's. Much like Robocop, Delta Force and Lethal Weapon. ARAH has lil' to no place in the modern era. The core of modern era GI Joe is the ongoing fight against Cobra, not whether Colton should have a beard, Roadblock cooks and rhymes, Ripcord being black or Flint wearing a f***ing beret.

Theres plenty of other enjoyable properties out there for you to go enjoy that can offer that to you vs. complaining about the complaining with more complaining lol...if your having an off day take a break holms....head out to the beach...have a few drinks have a few laughs...

[Jacklefttown]

Yeah, krooklyn, lighten up. What's the point of aggravating yourself by continuing to read a thread full of "idiocy" and "narrow mindedness"?

Or do you enjoy simply angering yourself over the silly comments made by grown men who play with toys?

[Jmacq1]

Maybe I'm having an off day, but it gets old reading the same lame comments about "ARAH continuity". At this point, I am nearly fed up with ARAH. ARAH was great for the 80's. Much like Robocop, Delta Force and Lethal Weapon. ARAH has lil' to no place in the modern era. The core of modern era GI Joe is the ongoing fight against Cobra, not whether Colton should have a beard, Roadblock cooks and rhymes, Ripcord being black or Flint wearing a f***ing beret.

The problem with this train of thought is that without ARAH, there is no "ongoing fight against Cobra" because Cobra is an ARAH invention. Most reasonable fans expect changes...I'm not hung up on a beard for Colton or even a beret for Flint (though I do think the latter is iconic enough to the character that it really should be included at some point...a shotgun would help, too), but ARAH is the "spirit" of modern Joe even if the details have changed somewhat, and especially when you start getting into visual iconography the cosmetics do actually become important. If you want Flint to be recognizable as Flint, you need to have him wear that beret at some point. Snake-Eyes needs to dress in all black and be masked and mute.

You can't just put a picture of Superman wearing some other superhero's costume in front of someone and expect them to recognize it as Superman. Hasbro wants that kind of "timeless icon" status for the major characters of G.I. Joe, and you don't do that by changing the visual of the character in drastic ways. They need to have a certain continuity.

Think about it: You could take just about any version of Snake-Eyes, Destro, Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow, Duke, and Scarlett and they're immediately recognizable as who they're supposed to be. Preferably Flint should be in this club too (but he's not...yet).

[RolandofGilead]

Bruce Willis is cool, although I would have liked to have seen him with a beard, cause in the preview he looks kinda like an "old baby."

I'm trying not to laugh at this because it hurts my belly.

[Tanksmasher]

I like Bruce Willis but even I was a little surprised when I saw him cast as Colton. I just don't see him playing that role as well as someone else, but then again I don't see Colton as an action hero, more like the brains behind the development of the Joes--a general officer who was a model soldier and an inspiration for the Joe team.

[ShadowNinja]

I think Michael Biehn would have been awesome as Colton. I know people are gonna say some comments about this but even though Delroy Lindo is a great actor I would prefer to keep Colton how he is if you guys know what I mean. Kind of the same thing with ripcord in roc.

[Troops of Doom]

Hasbro wants that kind of "timeless icon" status for the major characters of G.I. Joe, and you don't do that by changing the visual of the character in drastic ways. They need to have a certain continuity.

Good point.

[TheRealDubya]

I think Michael Biehn would have been awesome as Colton. I know people are gonna say some comments about this but even though Delroy Lindo is a great actor I would prefer to keep Colton how he is if you guys know what I mean. Kind of the same thing with ripcord in roc.

Is Indiana segregated STILL? Jesus.





JUST KIDDING LOLZ.

[krooklyn]

Theres plenty of other enjoyable properties out there for you to go enjoy that can offer that to you vs. complaining about the complaining with more complaining lol...if your having an off day take a break holms....head out to the beach...have a few drinks have a few laughs...
Or maybe so-called fans should be more open-minded
Yeah, krooklyn, lighten up. What's the point of aggravating yourself by continuing to read a thread full of "idiocy" and "narrow mindedness"?

Or do you enjoy simply angering yourself over the silly comments made by grown men who play with toys?
It's just a matter of the same ongoing debates that plague the tank. Hardly anything creative or thoughtful exist. But excuse me for a having a Sam Jackson moment or two.

The problem with this train of thought is that without ARAH, there is no "ongoing fight against Cobra" because Cobra is an ARAH invention. Most reasonable fans expect changes...I'm not hung up on a beard for Colton or even a beret for Flint (though I do think the latter is iconic enough to the character that it really should be included at some point...a shotgun would help, too), but ARAH is the "spirit" of modern Joe even if the details have changed somewhat, and especially when you start getting into visual iconography the cosmetics do actually become important. If you want Flint to be recognizable as Flint, you need to have him wear that beret at some point. Snake-Eyes needs to dress in all black and be masked and mute.

You can't just put a picture of Superman wearing some other superhero's costume in front of someone and expect them to recognize it as Superman. Hasbro wants that kind of "timeless icon" status for the major characters of G.I. Joe, and you don't do that by changing the visual of the character in drastic ways. They need to have a certain continuity.

Think about it: You could take just about any version of Snake-Eyes, Destro, Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow, Duke, and Scarlett and they're immediately recognizable as who they're supposed to be. Preferably Flint should be in this club too (but he's not...yet).

You've definitely got a point. But considering the advancement in time, GI Joe is not just a real american hero as it once were. If hasblown were to remove ARAH, doesn't mean you lose Cobra with it. The spirit and core can remain regardless. ARAH characters were born out of the vietnam era and to remain relevant it's necessary to adopt present day ideas. But my point was that why should it matter that film version of the character is bald-headed, beardless man?

[Super Beast]

I disagree, Lang was the most impressionable perfomance outta the whole film. He was the atagonist, the brute,..

Typecast, stereotypical racist white guy.

[Super Beast]

Chuck Norris.


He is too busy runining the Expendables. The Expendables 2 Will Be PG-13 - Movies News at IGN (http://movies.ign.com/articles/121/1216826p1.html)

[orezona]

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy214/blayze5150/Best-Sylvester-Stallone-Wallpapers-5.jpg

^^^ Only if he wears a girdle.

To be fair, John Colton probably won't play as big of a role in the movie as you guys are making his character out to be.

Willis is just there to be on the marquee, as a lot of you have aptly pointed out already.

That said, so far I'm "cautiously optimistic" about seeing Joe 2.

/BTW, Chuck Norris is an asshat

[Ford]

I've always liked Lang. He was great in "Manhunter" and especially "The Hard Way". But if he were in Retaliation, he wouldn't be playing General Colton. He'd be playing Colonel Quarich all over again. Just like he's doing on Terra Nova right now, though hopefully that awful show won't be back and he won't be wasting his time on it anymore.

What would have been good is to have somebody like Lang. A respected character actor that can play any role. Ed Harris is the first one I thought of. Similar to his role in "The Rock". Willem Dafoe is another actor that could go all out for the role.

But yeah, Bruce puts a big name on the poster. Even if his last couple films have gone straight to video. Give him a machine gun, a big summer movie and it's yippie ki yay!

[Sciencefriction]

Darn, if he was a bit younger, and with a shave, he looks like he'd be a great Duke.

[oliverbox]

Yeah, Chuck Norris would have been great as Joe Colton. That's just a great choice. I also still think that Tom Selleck or Lee Majors would have been great choices. I know they're all old guys, but I don't see that as a problem for this character. Having Bruce Willis totally bald just doesn't seem fitting for this character, though I do appreciate the fact that they're casting an 80's action star.

[Ash Talon]

Honestly, I never cared for the Colton character.

Colton is supposed to be the original GI Joe from the 60s. Therefore, it would have been nice to have them get a much older action movie star. Obviously someone from that era would be too old to put in an action sequence today (Charlton Heston would have rocked at one point). However, I think they should have went for someone that is a little older than Willis or at least exudes a more militaristic and disciplined attitude.

Willis became an action star because he was everything an action star wasn't at the time. He's not handsome. He's not ripped. He was snarky and vulnerable. The whole charm of Die Hard is in that he takes a pounding but still keeps doing the right thing and doing it with attitude. Somehow, Willis just fell into playing all his characters as cool. He no longer seems vulnerable. He just holds back too much. His manic energy faded too. I don't dislike him, but he doesn't draw me to a movie. I haven't seen Surrogates or Red. I just don't find him appealing anymore.

[~Synder Corps.~]

Most of us LOVE Bruce Willis, but I'm thinking a better Joe Colton would be...

Stephen Lang. You know him as Colonel Quaritch from "Avatar" OR Nathaniel Taylor from "Terra Nova". He's a bad@$$ and he LOOKS the part!

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Terra-Nova-007.jpg

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/emurpus/Stephen-Lang-Terra-Nova-image.jpg

He would be GREAT kicking some serpent butt! Anyone agree?

If they hadn't cast Willis as Colton, I'd say F' yeah. I've loved everything I've seen him in. And his Terra Nova role nailed him as Colton. But draw power, Willis as Colton, that works too

[~Synder Corps.~]

lol Age has no meaning in the Joe Verse...if it did, then Snake Eyes, Hawk, and just about everyone else up til the end of the toy line in 93-94 would be using wheelchairs or walkers right now.

[RECON_09]

I think Lang looks a lot like Joe Colton. That's who I would have chose.

[Jacklefttown]

Yeah!

[Odinsdad]

ugh no no no

just no

wrong

no that would have suuuuuuucked

[Odinsdad]

Chuck Norris would have been great as Joe Colton.

Chuck Norris is a piece of crap.

Under his beard is more crap.

[Raw Dog]

I agree, the guy from Avatar was awesome in Avatar and also had a beard with life like hair in the picture you posted. I am happy with Bruce too though, especially because it means we will likely get a Willis figure!

[Akunin]

Steve Buscemi, he'd give joe those crazy eyes.. looks like he's getting one over by the VA too

[bigbawsmcgraw]

sam elliot would have been my choice

[JR0d28]

Chuck Norris wouldve been great

if they picked Lee Majors WOW that wouldve been cool.

[docdrako]

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy214/blayze5150/Best-Sylvester-Stallone-Wallpapers-5.jpg?t=1327601052

This is the real face of Joseph Colton.

I immediately thought of Spirit.

[Viper6]

im surprised hasbro didnt make him either black or a chic, just given that they and other industry folks like to take iconic figures and do a gender/ethnic switch. airborne, dialtone.....nick fury. im so glad its bruce willis, so glad.

[Viper6]

r. lee ermey! hed make a great joe colton maybe too gritty but damn hes awesome, i met that dude at an aafes event once hes good people.

i mean for that 1960's legit origins feel

[JR0d28]

Or Hell what about Nick Nolte

[bigbawsmcgraw]

kurt russell ??

[RolandofGilead]

Can't! Snake Plisken is already a Joe.

http://www.customgijoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/-36272706105100210-150x150.jpg

[Beckley]

sam elliot would have been my choice

Damn good choice, Sam Elliot needs to be in more movies.

However the franchise needs all the help it can get, so I think Bruce Willis was the right way to go.

[Graystreet]

You guys do realize that you're all picking iconic actors from iconic roles, and not people that will portray the character you're asking for an honest depiction of, just like Bruce Willis? Kurt Russell has never been anything but Snake Plissken. In "The Thing" he showcased his acting ability by playing Snake Plissken with depth perception. Chuck Norris is still Robin Williams's son that gets beat up in Return of The Dragon, he's not for a moment been anything more than that.

Lee Majors? Do you know what Lee Majors has been doing for the last ten years? Playing Lee Majors on "According to Jim" and playing Lee Majors Who Dies on "Grey's Anatomy"

The only good choice for Joseph Colton is one that wouldn't occur to you until you see the movie, and frankly, Bruce Willis isn't topping the bill of my choices either, but that's just because I can't help but think he should be played by Keith Carradine or Titus Welliver. Someone that can pull off the problem of loving your country enough to fight it and make jokes about eating too many eggs work.

However, even my choices are bad because they're influenced by my personal affection for the body of work from both actors.

P.S - Sam Elliot? Really? Because when I think of Toyota, I think of the founder of G.I Joe. Can any of you really think of him without hearing "San Vanganza" and thinking it should be a type of Pace salsa?

[RuckusJr]

Dolph Lundgren

[Crazy Legs]

It should have been Tommy Lee Jones.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8579/screenhunter05feb090329.png

Anyone saw the Hunted? He was a Ranger instructor, or something like, and he was called back from retirement to chase one of his crazy students. So Tom got some military movie experience.

[Graystreet]

It should have been Tommy Lee Jones.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8579/screenhunter05feb090329.png

Anyone saw the Hunted? He was a Ranger instructor, or something like, and he was called back from retirement to chase one of his crazy students. So Tom got some military movie experience.

That's actually not a half bad suggestion. However, if you've seen any of his recent films, he's become quite lackadaisical in recent times for roles he doesn't care about. He was almost bad in "Captain America" due to his phoning in the acting. He was spectacular and almost magical in "Sunset Limited" so he still has it in him, but he can't seem to summon that old spark for paychecks any longer, and I honestly can't see someone not caring about "Captain America" but giving a decent performance to a brand associated with hawkishness and failure, such as G.I Joe is.

[Colonel Bludd]

michael biehn. Not sure if he should be colton but he belongs in a joe movie somehow

[bigbawsmcgraw]

You guys do realize that you're all picking iconic actors from iconic roles, and not people that will portray the character you're asking for an honest depiction of, just like Bruce Willis? Kurt Russell has never been anything but Snake Plissken. In "The Thing" he showcased his acting ability by playing Snake Plissken with depth perception. Chuck Norris is still Robin Williams's son that gets beat up in Return of The Dragon, he's not for a moment been anything more than that.

Lee Majors? Do you know what Lee Majors has been doing for the last ten years? Playing Lee Majors on "According to Jim" and playing Lee Majors Who Dies on "Grey's Anatomy"

The only good choice for Joseph Colton is one that wouldn't occur to you until you see the movie, and frankly, Bruce Willis isn't topping the bill of my choices either, but that's just because I can't help but think he should be played by Keith Carradine or Titus Welliver. Someone that can pull off the problem of loving your country enough to fight it and make jokes about eating too many eggs work.

However, even my choices are bad because they're influenced by my personal affection for the body of work from both actors.

P.S - Sam Elliot? Really? Because when I think of Toyota, I think of the founder of G.I Joe. Can any of you really think of him without hearing "San Vanganza" and thinking it should be a type of Pace salsa?

i still stand by my 2 choices. kurt russell has done more than just "plissken" in his movies. i personally thought he was particularly good in backdraft and tombstone as was sam elliot, both of whom have a gravitas that means they do similar roles. as for the toyota thing, i dont think as scots get that ad over here, so it didnt effect my decision.