Paramount Pushes the Release of GI Joe back Just Weeks Before it June 29th Release Date!

This might be the first time in history that a movie this close to release has been kicked out 9 months.    Paramount “says” that the June 29^th release of GI Joe is being pushed out nine months so that they can add 3D.  The studio stated,

 “We’re going to do a conscientious 3D job because we’ve seen how it can better box office internationally,
Jim Cameron did all of Titanic‘s 3D in post — and look how well that movie turned out.”

There are some decent reasons,  I guess,  for the decision.  The most compelling reason is the big buzz of 3D overseas.  As still one of the most exportable industries, it does make sense to cater to overseas markets especially if the movie sort of kinda sucks.   Overseas movies that get released before they hit the US market can do extremely well there before they realize that the movie actually stinks, i.e. Battleship.  They don’t know any better, they see big name stars and explosions and they pay for it.  Russia and China are building 3D theaters by the week so this makes sense.  Now it is actually possible to break even overseas before the movie is even released in the states.

Paramount also has had some success with delays in the past.  Their decision to delay Shutter Island ended up being director Martin Scorsese’s biggest box office take ever.

WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY

Me like most people don’t totally buy into the theory.  They would have made this call long before they started spending money on TV and outdoor ads.  I think part of the change is because of Channing Tatum and Magic Mike.  Paramount probably took note to all the buzz that Tatum has created and figured a way to introduce him more into the movie.  His face is now more prevalent on the movie poster and his name is now before the Rock and Bruce Willis.

The other big reason is that you don’t want to be in a “Spiderman” and “Dark Knight” competition after watching “The Avengers” just smash the box office.  It’s safe to say at this point that everyone who would see GI Joe has seen The Avengers.  Those same people would also see “Spiderman” and “The Dark Knight” why take a chance on such a big film by entering in the mix.  Because all those films are being so tightly released only a % of those movie goers would hit all four.

Third I think the 3D factor does play a small part.  While watching “The Avengers” in 3D we saw the extended “Dark Knight” rises trailer.  Although it was shot for IMAX I think a 3D option would have been a nice to have.  Mission Impossible showed what IMAX filming could do, but the 3D in The Avengers was a nice to have.

The only thing that is certain, is that us armchair critics can sit here all day long and speculate that the movie probably tested bad and had to be reshot, or their scared of competition, whatever the reason might be, rest assured that a lot of time and expertise went into making it.  I just hope it’s better than the first one.  Marlon Wayans…SMH!