G.I. Joe Movie Destro, What Should He Look Like?

[Compulsive Collector]

Originally Posted by C.I.A.D.

I'd like to assume that Destro has a life outside of MARS.

Although I love the character to death, it would be kinda silly to have him in his mask at all times.

Honestly, I don't think there's enough time in a two-hour film to explore Destro's personal life, nor do I think it's necessary.

[Gentleman]

Depends.

If they are actually having Cobra Commander in the background, as rumor says, then Destro will be presented as the main antagonist. As such, you can't just have him be a "guy in an iron mask who is evil" - you have to build up a character here. Even if you use my suggestion to reveal his real identity only towards the end. There could be hints and stuff.

[Monkeywrench]

Originally Posted by Gentleman

Depends.

If they are actually having Cobra Commander in the background, as rumor says, then Destro will be presented as the main antagonist. As such, you can't just have him be a "guy in an iron mask who is evil" - you have to build up a character here. Even if you use my suggestion to reveal his real identity only towards the end. There could be hints and stuff.

I disagree. I would like them to make the movie with the assumption that we already know who these people are. I don't want them to waste 40 minutes explaining who Destro is. I want this movie to be more of a "cult following" instead of a "mainstrem movie".

[Gentleman]

Oh, I don't think we need 40 minutes of backstory ala, say, "Batman Begins"... But you do need to build up your characters. Besides, Destro isn't just a "Darth Maul".

I'll tell you this: The thing that makes these type of movies is the antagonist. The villain. If you fuck up your villain, you fuck up your movie. There are many examples that come to my mind in relation to this. Take Hellboy, for example. Excellent adaptation, some will say. Great characterization of the hero, etc. But what of the villain? He sucked to no end. Another example? Dr. Doom from the Fantastic Four films. BOY, they sure fucked that up. I'm not even saying the filmmakers should pay respect to the source material, I'm just saying: with his iron mask or without, whatever you do with Destro... just be sure he ends up being a great antagonist. If the audience doesn't feel he is a worthy and interesting villain, they will not get a feeling of danger, which is essential in a film like this.


Still... expect the film to be fan-friendly, but not to the point where the general audience doesn't get introduced to the characters. That'd be a big mistake. This isn't Superman, where the origin story is so widespread and known, there's no need to re-tell it.




I'm afraid many of you/us will have to take some valium before going into the theater next year :p

[Sy-Rein]

Again, I have to agree with Gentleman, this movie will be similar to the recent Transformers movie, whereas it'll be an introduction of GI Joe to the masses, to all the people in the world that have no clue what GI Joe is other than a "kid's toy".

As much as the fans would want something more, I wouldnt get my hopes up for more than an introduction and an all-around cool movie. The sequels can delve deeper into the mythos that everyone here loves so much.

[Compulsive Collector]

Originally Posted by Gentleman

I'm not even saying the filmmakers should pay respect to the source material, I'm just saying: with his iron mask or without, whatever you do with Destro... just be sure he ends up being a great antagonist.

I think that can be accomplished without showing the guy hanging around the house or the office without his mask. You can introduce the character and let the audience get to know him without going deep into his backstory or showing him out of his mask.

[Gentleman]

Originally Posted by Compulsive Collector

I think that can be accomplished without showing the guy hanging around the house or the office without his mask. You can introduce the character and let the audience get to know him without going deep into his backstory or showing him out of his mask.

While I agree with your statement, we all know that sooner or later, the filmmakers will have to reveal Destro's face. This, sadly, will also happen with Cobra Commander. Since I am assuming this will become a trilogy, they will probably keep CC's identity a secret until the third flick. Destro's identity will be revealed by the first film most probably.

Thing is... almost everyone in Cobra wears a freaking mask! It may work for a space opera, but for a film like this, it could very well make it laughable. So you have to find a healthy balance. You can't make it 100% realistic (although you could), and you can't make it 100% fantastic.

Unfortunately I don't trust Sommers' judgement. I fear it will end up being an over-the-top P.O.S. with an overload of comic relief that isn't actually funny at all.



Hopefully, he will prove me wrong.

[Monkeywrench]

Originally Posted by Gentleman

While I agree with your statement, we all know that sooner or later, the filmmakers will have to reveal Destro's face. This, sadly, will also happen with Cobra Commander. Since I am assuming this will become a trilogy, they will probably keep CC's identity a secret until the third flick. Destro's identity will be revealed by the first film most probably.

Thing is... almost everyone in Cobra wears a freaking mask! It may work for a space opera, but for a film like this, it could very well make it laughable. So you have to find a healthy balance. You can't make it 100% realistic (although you could), and you can't make it 100% fantastic.

Unfortunately I don't trust Sommers' judgement. I fear it will end up being an over-the-top P.O.S. with an overload of comic relief that isn't actually funny at all.



Hopefully, he will prove me wrong.

IMO they don't have to unmask Destro or CC. Why would it make the film laughable? Who cares if SS, Firefly, CC, Destro and others have a mask. Nobody laughed at Darth Vader when he was masked. Why would they laugh at Destro? They need to keep the movie true.

[Gentleman]

Originally Posted by Monkeywrench

Nobody laughed at Darth Vader when he was masked. Why would they laugh at Destro? They need to keep the movie true.

Precisely, as I said: "It may work in a space opera..."


...but I highly doubt it would/will in a big screen version of G.I.Joe. IMO, anyways.


Just thinking ahead of time here. I just don't see this happening and to be honest, I would eventually un-mask them myself, were I in charge of the film/s. I may not unmask CC (perhaps only hint at who he may have been in his "previous life", like different hypothesis of it or something), but I would certainly have Destro unmasked at some point.


In other words, I guess I'd go for a more realistic approach. As realistic as it can be without fucking up the mythos entirely. And to have Destro unmasked at some point wouldn't do that.


Just like there were differences between the cartoon and the comic, I am expecting the film to be another different take altogether. Each medium has its advantages and disadvantages. And its rules.

[VIPER 48]

I think he should have his mask on full time. I wouldn't mind if his mask was removed if it fit into the story line...