'G.I. Joe' Producer Promises "Menacing," "Twisted" Cobra Commander

We talk about casting a lot, whether it's speculation (anything with the names Depp, Jolie, or Crowe attached to it in the past year) or concrete (love Sacha Baron Cohen in the Sherlock Holmes comedy, not as much Robert Downey Jr. in the action-drama update of the same character). Sometimes there are casting notes that make you step back and wonder what the producers and director were thinking, and it could be in a good way or a bad way. Personally, I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cobra Commander in next summer's G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra could be a stroke of genius. I think he's up to it, and anyone who saw him in The Lookout or in Stop/Loss would be inclined to agree. There's a lot more going on with this guy than just Third Rock from the Sun. MTV recently asked G.I. Joe producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura what we should expect out of Gordon-Levitt and Cobra since, after all, his name is in the title. "As we see it, he’s a very twisted character," di Bonaventura says. "As the backstory evolves, you discover why his personality [is like that]." And even though the actor is being allowed to go his own way with the character to some degree, one carryover remains from the TV show: That voice. "He definitely has a take-off on that," explains the producer. "I actually found the voice a little weak in the show. I’m sure I’ll get killed for saying that. I don’t know, it always seemed kind of silly. Hopefully we’re going to be a little more menacing." That's exactly how I want my Cobra Commander to be. Now you know, and knowing is five-sixteenths the battle (*adjusted for inflation).

Comments

[Jeremy]

I have extremely low expectations for this movie after seeing the original casting news. But this makes me raise an eyebrow, at least.

And the last sentence makes the whole article.

[Dumba$$ you don't know squat]

Sorry but don't mention that again The 80's ruled And G.I. JOE was it I liked that voice! don't you ever say that again! Cobra!!-I liked this series And I hope to God that you movie producters don't mess up this MOVIE!..Or I'll get very angry! Peace!

[Orinn]

Oh now we are adjusting for inflation