Jon Chu to Direct "Masters of the Universe" Next

[Dolemite]

It seems Chu is keen on tackling 80's toy properties. Hopefully this one won't get bumped back the better part of a year a month before it's release date like a certain GI Joe film that he directed...grrr.

'Step Up 2' & 'G.I. Joe 2' Director Jon M. Chu To Helm 'Masters Of The Universe' | The Playlist (http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/step-up-2-g-i-joe-2-director-jon-m-chu-to-helm-masters-of-the-universe-20120730)

[Troynos]

Interesting. It seems that Hollywood has belief in his directorial abilities and aren't holding the Retaliation delay, and rumored bad reviews, against him.

[drunknmunky]

Interesting. It seems that Hollywood has belief in his directorial abilities and aren't holding the Retaliation delay, and rumored bad reviews, against him.

Or he works cheap as hell. The guy really has absolutely no background outside of dance movies. With a resume of Step Up and Never Say Never combined with the Retaliation catastrophe, I have no idea why anyone would hire him for anything that doesn't involve dancing.

[Retail-Viper]

....I have no idea why anyone would hire him for anything that doesn't involve dancing.

When evil developers threaten to turn Castle Greyskull into a carpark only a ragtag bunch of misfits can stop them by stepping up and stepping off!

[Xenos]

Or he works cheap as hell. The guy really has absolutely no background outside of dance movies. With a resume of Step Up and Never Say Never combined with the Retaliation catastrophe, I have no idea why anyone would hire him for anything that doesn't involve dancing.

Because the movie studios care about things outside of what we see. For all we know, Chu might bring his production in way under budget, and he might be super easy to work with. Those type of things matter a lot to studios.

[Troynos]

And Antoine Fuqua had nothing on his resume except music videos when he got his first shot at directing movies and look at what he's accomplished (Replacement Killers, Training Day, Tears Of The Sun).

A guy that can direct a dance movie is a guy you'd probably want directing an action movie since most of the action is choreography, much like directing a dance movie.

People need to look past the subject of the movies and look at the technical aspects of those movies.

Hell, Peter Jackson was really a no-name before Lord of the Rings.

[Troynos]

Or he works cheap as hell. The guy really has absolutely no background outside of dance movies. With a resume of Step Up and Never Say Never combined with the Retaliation catastrophe, I have no idea why anyone would hire him for anything that doesn't involve dancing.

Also the Retaliation "catastrophe" from all reports wasn't Chu's fault. The reviews all mentioned the story being lacking, which is not the director's fault but the screenwriters (and what do you expect when all they have on their resume is Zombieland).

[Xenos]

And Antoine Fuqua had nothing on his resume except music videos when he got his first shot at directing movies and look at what he's accomplished (Replacement Killers, Training Day, Tears Of The Sun).

A guy that can direct a dance movie is a guy you'd probably want directing an action movie since most of the action is choreography, much like directing a dance movie.

People need to look past the subject of the movies and look at the technical aspects of those movies.

Hell, Peter Jackson was really a no-name before Lord of the Rings.

And Michael Bay did commercials. Not that he's an artistic achiever, but he certainly makes the studio's a lot of money.

[Troynos]

And Michael Bay did commercials. Not that he's an artistic achiever, but he certainly makes the studio's a lot of money.

I was going to use Bay but around here all that brings is "Bay sucks".

But he's a great example. Started off in commercials, Playboy videos, and now he makes multi-million dollar movies.

[CobraSnakeEyes]

Hmm....So dolph lundren is back too?

[Darren]

I was going to use Bay but around here all that brings is "Bay sucks".

But he's a great example. Started off in commercials, Playboy videos, and now he makes multi-million dollar movies.


"Bay sucks"!!!

[Black Swan]

Is the movie going to be in 3D?

[CobraSnakeEyes]

Is the movie going to be in 3D?

Nope 4D!

[bluesparrow]

David Fincher started out as a commercial and music video director as well. He did the videos for Madonna's "Express Yourself," "Vogue" and Aerosmith's "Janie's Got a Gun" amongst many others.

Also Ridley Scott was a commercial director for years before Alien and Blade Runner.

[grunt0341]

Well, Masters of The Universe seems a better choice for 3D than G.I. Joe...

[swafus]

Id be happy with Uwe Boll at this point. Just get the shit going already

[Cdt Weasel]

I hope this is a direct remake of the 80's movie!

[Crimson Rage]

Blimey! And a few days ago they said they'd annouce a "big" director? Size and reputation wise, he's neither.

[WVMojo]

Id be happy with Uwe Boll at this point. Just get the shit going already

Not cool man. Not cool. You have lost the interwebz. Please turn in your modem and router to your nearest ISP location.

[JokerFC]

When evil developers threaten to turn Castle Greyskull into a carpark only a ragtag bunch of misfits can stop them by stepping up and stepping off!

man that made me LOL.

I havent seen Retaliation yet so I cant say whether this guy sucks at directing or not but I cant say Im filled with enthusiasm for this choice.but Im not suprised either.....

[Crazy Legs]

Interesting. It seems that Hollywood has belief in his directorial abilities and aren't holding the Retaliation delay, and rumored bad reviews, against him.

Hollywood is weird, he worked with JOE so they throw something else at him. It's just like the director that is doing the new American Gojira flick, because he worked in a movie called Monsters that has some big monsters in it he probably got that role. But if you really saw that movie he did called Monsters you'll know that the movie has almost NOTHING to do with monsters. The movie is about two people walking and getting to know each other. In a one an half our flick the monsters are probably in it for 5 to 7 minutes.

Or he works cheap as hell. The guy really has absolutely no background outside of dance movies. With a resume of Step Up and Never Say Never combined with the Retaliation catastrophe, I have no idea why anyone would hire him for anything that doesn't involve dancing.

Because the movie studios care about things outside of what we see. For all we know, Chu might bring his production in way under budget, and he might be super easy to work with. Those type of things matter a lot to studios.

This is probably also the case, he did fold on doing 3D at the start of Retaliation and now that they are doing it in 3D is saying that he always wanted to do it in 3D like it matters now.

And Antoine Fuqua had nothing on his resume except music videos when he got his first shot at directing movies and look at what he's accomplished (Replacement Killers, Training Day, Tears Of The Sun).

A guy that can direct a dance movie is a guy you'd probably want directing an action movie since most of the action is choreography, much like directing a dance movie.

People need to look past the subject of the movies and look at the technical aspects of those movies.

Hell, Peter Jackson was really a no-name before Lord of the Rings.

Doing kick ass commercials is totally different that focusing all your work on dancing which is what Chu has done. Look at this resume, everything is dancing. Dancing movies, dancing tv shows, dance everything.

And no building a dance scene is not the same as building an action scene, in a dance scene you WANT to capture every single move and stay with the people because every moved performed is actually what you see on screen while in an action scene is build from pieces like legos because those moves performed are not actually done by the people. Well... unless you are Tony Jaa or Jackie Chan.

By the way, Peter Jackson was an Oscar nominee and was very well known in the Hollywood.

David Fincher started out as a commercial and music video director as well. He did the videos for Madonna's "Express Yourself," "Vogue" and Aerosmith's "Janie's Got a Gun" amongst many others.

Also Ridley Scott was a commercial director for years before Alien and Blade Runner.

Like i said above, doing a lot of different kick butt stuff is very different than devoting your whole career to dancing.

[DrKain]

So various sites are reporting that Jon Chu is currently being selected to direct a new Masters of the Universe movie. Great, just great. Now he can run another series.

[Jmacq1]

So various sites are reporting that Jon Chu is currently being selected to direct a new Masters of the Universe movie. Great, just great. Now he can run another series.

Please immediately forward me the stolen print of Retaliation you've clearly seen.

BTW: It's hard to "ruin" a series that most people already think is incredibly homoerotic and silly.

[RolandofGilead]

Please immediately forward me the stolen print of Retaliation you've clearly seen.

BTW: It's hard to "ruin" a series that most people already think is incredibly homoerotic and silly.

I'm a MotU fan, but I have to agree with you there.


How could anyone say Chu is going to ruin anything? Nobody has seen the movie, and from the previews I've seen it looks pretty damned cool.

As for Masters of the Universe, you can only improve upon this:

http://www.impawards.com/1987/posters/masters_of_the_universe.jpg

There's only room to go up when you've hit rock bottom like that.

[Jmacq1]

You can reach all you want, but you can't deny the fact that a great many directors have come from less than awe-inspiring backgrounds and become quite competent/famous at things despite what they started out doing.

But hey, pigeonhole Chu all you want. Maybe he ran over your dog or something and I just don't know about it. Personally? I'll wait until I actually see one of his action movies before I make a decision on whether or not he's a competent action director.

[RolandofGilead]

I posted this in the wrong thread.

http://www.impawards.com/1987/posters/masters_of_the_universe.jpg

After hitting rock bottom, there's only one place to go and that's UP.

[Jmacq1]

I'm a MotU fan, but I have to agree with you there.


I'm a MotU fan as well, but I have no illusions about where the reputation of that particular franchise has gone in the past 25 years. Bare chested men in furry loincloths just kinda lend themselves to ridicule straight out of the gate.

[Zarana]

DR. K is talking about his work on the Bieber film. Justin should have won an Oscar, but Chu ruined that movie.

[Jmacq1]

DR. K is talking about his work on the Bieber film. Justin should have won an Oscar, but Chu ruined that movie.

Yes, I truly belieb that Justin was robbed. His haunting portrayal of the price of fame and the burden of stardom was one for the ages, but all that shaky-cam and quick-cut editing made it impossible for the audience to see the true depths of his performance.

[/sarcasm...just in case anyone would even question whether I was being serious or not.]

[RolandofGilead]

DR. K is talking about his work on the Bieber film. Justin should have won an Oscar, but Chu ruined that movie.

Actually, I thought pretty much the same back in the 80s. I liked the cartoon a lot, but I ridiculed my friend for spending some of his GI Joe money on bare-chested wrestler guys and I wouldn't buy them myself.

But the modern Classic figures are so excellent, and a great reminder of both cartoons that I couldn't resist.

[Raw Dog]

I'm pretty excited for the new MOTU movie Chu is rumored to be directing. A new MOTU movie takes the pressure off as far as subscribing to the classics line is concerned.

[Troynos]

So various sites are reporting that Jon Chu is currently being selected to direct a new Masters of the Universe movie. Great, just great. Now he can run another series.

This has to be one of the dumbest statements I have ever seen.

Retaliation isn't out yet so how can he have ruined it? Please, explain that one.

[Cody]

I don't know if Mr. Chu is worth a shit or not. But, I think we all have a number of burns in terms of expectations. So many films promise a lot, we buy into that promise and then we walk out of the theater disappointed. You can't blame people for expecting the worst when that's typically what we're handed.

[zedhatch]

This has to be one of the dumbest statements I have ever seen.

Retaliation isn't out yet so how can he have ruined it? Please, explain that one.

Well in fairness it's a done movie, we just haven't seen it, so he could have ruined it and we just don't know yet.

He is getting some high profile gigs for only done one documentary type film though. Not oscar winners but Joe and MOTU seem like big things you don't want to pass to just anyone (I would think).

[RolandofGilead]

Maybe he's the only director without enough clout to say "no."

[Raw Dog]

I guess I can kind of see where Dr Kain is coming from, I mean sure Retaliation hasn't been released yet, but there are plenty of rumors circulating that the release date was pushed back because test audiences panned the flick. Now I can hear people arguing that test audiences didn't like Retaliation because of the script or whatever which I guess isn't Chu's fault but maybe Dr Kain didn't pay all that much attention to the rumors he's reacting to. So, I'm not agreeing with Kain, just saying I can see where he's coming from.

Personally, I can't wait for Retaliation, and I hope the MOTU movie garuntees us a new toy line.

[sonofdestro]

Maybe he actually meant run as in direct, not ruin. Perhaps he was talking about ancient ruins. Holy crap maybe Chu found the actual Castle Grayskull and they are shooting on location. This scenario is perfect for me, I never got a Castle Grayskull. I did get Snake Mountain at a yard sale, but the microphone was broken.

[Van Hammer]

Actually, I thought pretty much the same back in the 80s. I liked the cartoon a lot, but I ridiculed my friend for spending some of his GI Joe money on bare-chested wrestler guys and I wouldn't buy them myself.

But the modern Classic figures are so excellent, and a great reminder of both cartoons that I couldn't resist.

The cartoon sucked.I liked the 2002 series.

[Crazy Legs]

You can reach all you want, but you can't deny the fact that a great many directors have come from less than awe-inspiring backgrounds and become quite competent/famous at things despite what they started out doing.

But hey, pigeonhole Chu all you want. Maybe he ran over your dog or something and I just don't know about it. Personally? I'll wait until I actually see one of his action movies before I make a decision on whether or not he's a competent action director.

I'm waiting too but that doesnt take away the fact that the dude has focused his career on only doing dance stuff. Sorry but that does set a precedent about his style, and since we havent been given a chance to see what he can do we can all still question this possible choice. Specially since his first action movie has been delayed for 9 months.

[Headman]

DR. K is talking about his work on the Bieber film. Justin should have won an Oscar, but Chu ruined that movie.

Have you seen a better movie about Justin Bieber than the one Chu did? I think not.

[Troynos]

I'm waiting too but that doesnt take away the fact that the dude has focused his career on only doing dance stuff. Sorry but that does set a precedent about his style, and since we havent been given a chance to see what he can do we can all still question this possible choice. Specially since his first action movie has been delayed for 9 months.

And again, from all reports, the delay wasn't any fault of the directors.

Yes, it does set a precedent about his style, but has anyone here actually watched those movies and judged on the technical merit of how it was directed? Probably not. Most of the comments are about the themes of the movies and not the technical aspects of the movies themselves.

Remember, Chu is the director only. He didn't help writer it, he didn't help produce it. He was given a script and told "make this movie". Yes, there were probably some directorial changes, but we have zero clue if those are good or bad.


And so what if all he's done so far is dance movies. He made one, the people that look for that kind of thing thought he did good, so they gave him more to do. Someone whose job it is to watch movies for the technical aspects thought this guy would make a good action director and gave him a shot.

You can't just say "because all he's done is dance movies thats all he's good for". That's just stupid. Everyone, no matter who you are or what you've done, has been someone that does "just this" at one point in there life. It's when they either make themselves take on a new challenge or someone gives them the chance.


Chu could end up sucking worse then Sommers (who by the way is not a bad director, it was the script and plot of RoC that didn't work), but we won't know until March.

So any talk of him ruining the movie is way too early.

[starbuck]

I heard all of Man-E-Faces' faces are going to be played by Marlon Wayans.

Thanks for ruining another childhood memory John Chu.

[Crazy Legs]

And again, from all reports, the delay wasn't any fault of the directors.

Yes, it does set a precedent about his style, but has anyone here actually watched those movies and judged on the technical merit of how it was directed? Probably not. Most of the comments are about the themes of the movies and not the technical aspects of the movies themselves.

Remember, Chu is the director only. He didn't help writer it, he didn't help produce it. He was given a script and told "make this movie". Yes, there were probably some directorial changes, but we have zero clue if those are good or bad.


And so what if all he's done so far is dance movies. He made one, the people that look for that kind of thing thought he did good, so they gave him more to do. Someone whose job it is to watch movies for the technical aspects thought this guy would make a good action director and gave him a shot.

You can't just say "because all he's done is dance movies thats all he's good for". That's just stupid. Everyone, no matter who you are or what you've done, has been someone that does "just this" at one point in there life. It's when they either make themselves take on a new challenge or someone gives them the chance.


Chu could end up sucking worse then Sommers (who by the way is not a bad director, it was the script and plot of RoC that didn't work), but we won't know until March.

So any talk of him ruining the movie is way too early.

The reporting of the possible reasons of the delay were that test audience didnt like it and wanted more Magic Mike. Sure, we dont know why the movie sucked but you cant absolve the dude of all guilt. And i never said that all he should do is dance movies, btw, or that he is ruining anything. I am just being weary of the dude being handed this stuff.

And the script for ROC was fine, outside of the silly Duke/Baroness/CC link, the rest was decent. The performances on the other hand were, meh. And the director does have input on that. We all remember Magic Mike's horrible "aten hut...fall out" line.

[Headman]

And again, from all reports, the delay wasn't any fault of the directors.

Yes, it does set a precedent about his style, but has anyone here actually watched those movies and judged on the technical merit of how it was directed? Probably not. Most of the comments are about the themes of the movies and not the technical aspects of the movies themselves.

Remember, Chu is the director only. He didn't help writer it, he didn't help produce it. He was given a script and told "make this movie". Yes, there were probably some directorial changes, but we have zero clue if those are good or bad.


And so what if all he's done so far is dance movies. He made one, the people that look for that kind of thing thought he did good, so they gave him more to do. Someone whose job it is to watch movies for the technical aspects thought this guy would make a good action director and gave him a shot.

You can't just say "because all he's done is dance movies thats all he's good for". That's just stupid. Everyone, no matter who you are or what you've done, has been someone that does "just this" at one point in there life. It's when they either make themselves take on a new challenge or someone gives them the chance.


Chu could end up sucking worse then Sommers (who by the way is not a bad director, it was the script and plot of RoC that didn't work), but we won't know until March.

So any talk of him ruining the movie is way too early.

Sommers is a horrible director.

[cable-nathan]

After hitting rock bottom, there's only one place to go and that's UP.

Gee, I thought it was go sideways, off two sets of ropes and then drop the People's Elbow. :-P

[Fred Broca]

And Antoine Fuqua had nothing on his resume except music videos when he got his first shot at directing movies and look at what he's accomplished (Replacement Killers, Training Day, Tears Of The Sun).

A guy that can direct a dance movie is a guy you'd probably want directing an action movie since most of the action is choreography, much like directing a dance movie.

People need to look past the subject of the movies and look at the technical aspects of those movies.

Hell, Peter Jackson was really a no-name before Lord of the Rings.

And Antoine Fuqua had nothing on his resume except music videos when he got his first shot at directing movies and look at what he's accomplished (Replacement Killers, Training Day, Tears Of The Sun).

A guy that can direct a dance movie is a guy you'd probably want directing an action movie since most of the action is choreography, much like directing a dance movie.

People need to look past the subject of the movies and look at the technical aspects of those movies.

Hell, Peter Jackson was really a no-name before Lord of the Rings.

I'll co-sign what Troynos said. When will you cats understand that directors, actors, and screen writers by profession are suppose to try and do different things. We don't know what Chu's skill as a director is because his body of work isn't that big. It's one thing if Chu has a track record of brickin but he doesn't. Hell, Retalition can suck more than a hoe in Columbian brothel, but that wouldn't mean he sucks as a director. I think we have to allow give dude the courtesy of a learning curve, it sucks that the part of the learning is a property we all hold so dear, but as fans let's reserve our opinions at least the new trailers come out.

Remember fanboys were up in arms when it was announced that Heath Ledger would be playing J mainly because their immediate frame of reference of Ledger was this:

http://images.gamekult.com/blog/imgdb/000/000/348/055_2.jpg

the opening bank robbery scene in DK was cool, but this was the scene that pretty must solidified that Nolan made the right casting choice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KX3OriDpgg

[Headman]

Gee, I thought it was go sideways, off two sets of ropes and then drop the People's Elbow. :-P

Classic.

[Jinx723]

I wonder if Chu is going around his house yelling, "I have the power!"

Also, I know it's America and we all have freedom of speech, but some of you need to shut the heck up. I think a lot of people talk smack on the internet to get attention. That and you can say a lot of $#!+ you wouldn't tell someone to their face. Deciding the fate of a director let alone the movie before you have even seen it? Bitch, please. No matter what you'll never get the Joe Movie you want. DEAL WITH IT! If you have a few million dollars laying around by all means make your version of a Joe Movie and see how well it does.

[Hicks_Royel]

I love being late to nonsense.

When evil developers threaten to turn Castle Greyskull into a carpark only a ragtag bunch of misfits can stop them by stepping up and stepping off!

"Aw hell no... Yo, Prince Adam, check it. Looks like they're gonna tear down Greyskull and put in a White Castle."
"Yeah, Man-at-Arms, some big developer named Keldor is clearing out all the old hangouts. Going to try and bring in the upper-middle class."
"But... Greyskull is the only place we Masters of the Universe have to hang out and be ourselves!?! What'll keep us outta of drugs and guns and into self expression without it?"
"I don't know, Teela. I don't know..."

With Jesse "Casper" Brown as He-Man, Dondraico "Draico" Johnson as Man-at-Arms... Introducing Brooke Lipton as the Sorceress. With Vin Diesel as Skeletor...

... and featuring Justin Bieber as Orko.

This summer, or possibly late next spring, get ready to step up, get ready to have... the... POWER!

[Snow Wolf]

I grew up with the original fimation He-Man & TMOTU series. It's cheesy, but therein lies some of the charm.

The 2002 series was very well done and I beleive it even won an award. I remeber watching the 2002 epiosdes as they aired on tv and hardly being ab;e to wait for the next episode....

The cartoon sucked.I liked the 2002 series.

[Jmacq1]

I grew up with the original fimation He-Man & TMOTU series. It's cheesy, but therein lies some of the charm.

The 2002 series was very well done and I beleive it even won an award. I remeber watching the 2002 epiosdes as they aired on tv and hardly being ab;e to wait for the next episode....

As far as storytelling and design, I still hold up the 200X He-Man series as the best example of how to "reboot and modernize" a property while still remaining true to its' roots.

Sadly, the same couldn't be said for how Mattel handled case assortments in the action figure line, or how Cartoon Network handled scheduling the cartoon. Not that getting either "right" would have necessarily saved the line/show (particularly in the case of the show if it just wasn't catching on with kids), but it might've at least lasted a bit longer.

[Steelgrave]

Why do I get the feeling that after this thread I'll never hear about this ever again? Been hearing about Thundercats, Robotech & Voltron movies for years but nothing ever happened.

[SportsandStuff]

I posted this in the wrong thread.

http://www.impawards.com/1987/posters/masters_of_the_universe.jpg

After hitting rock bottom, there's only one place to go and that's UP.

Right! lol that movie was beyond horrible

[vermillion21]

Man, hollywood is really out of ideas ...

[Raw Dog]

I'm super excited for a new MOTU movie directed by Chu. He Man is awesome.

[Jmacq1]

Man, hollywood is really out of ideas ...

It's really not that people are out of ideas, it's that the general audience doesn't seem to embrace "new and original" nearly as much as "familiar" properties and stories, and thus studios are less willing to take a chance on producing them unless they can be done on the cheap.