With thanks to the guys at Hisstank for digging it out, and big thanks to SeekingAlpha.com for offering a transcript of Brian Goldner’s Earnings report, which we spoke a bit about yesterday. Mixed in amongst the call transcript were some very interesting bits of information:
“In motion pictures, with more than $1.1 billion in box office revenue between Transformers and G.I. Joe, and strong product sales in 2009, we are working with Paramount on Transformers 3 and G.I. Joe 2. In addition, we are pleased to add Sony as a studio partner as we reached an agreement to develop Risk as a major motion picture.”
“The total brand performance of Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Nerf delivered double digit growth in 2009 across multiple product categories. Transformers had a record year posting $592 million in revenues, a 23% increase from our last movie year in 2007. G.I. Joe recorded revenue in excess of $125 million and Nerf continued its growth, increasing 25% driven by continued growth in the US and the expansion of the brand internationally.”
“We are working on Transformers animation and would certainly see some Transformers both the opportunity for the classic Transformers as well as some new Transformers episodes to get out some time this year. I will tell you we’re also working on G.I. Joe the second movie and looking at animation whether that’s for late ’10 or ’11, we’ll make some decisions on that. Transformers 3 as a motion picture we’re well underway and working on a script, working with Michael Bay and Paramount.”
“I think one of the big mistakes we made on G.I. Joe was really just in the price point. It really had less to do with the enjoyment of property. In fact if you look at the DVD sales they were quite strong and property performed really well. At the lower price points G.I. Joe has performed very well, in fact we shipped G.I. Joe product in the fourth quarter and feel very good about, we did some research with consumers and see great consumer appetite for the brand.We’ve begun work on the second film as well as looking at television. For us it was more a matter of probably ignoring some of the price point challenges that are out there from a consumer spending standpoint as we developed the line 18 months ahead of the movie launch.”
So, it sounds like we’re full steam ahead on the G.I. Joe animated series, and may even see something late this year (but more likely early next year). Also, G.I. Joe 2 is on target for 2012. Very interesting to see that the Hasbro CEO recognized the price point difficulties with the Rise of Cobra line, which is hopefully an indication that prices will remain competitive for the next installment of G.I. Joe later this year.
Hopefully we’ll get even more great information Saturday at Toy Fair. Rest assured, GeneralsJoes will be there in the thick of it.
Channing Tatum has been doing the rounds promoting his latest film, Dear John, and of course, as expected, has been getting numerous questions regarding G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the potential sequel, and even the Razzie nominations that the film earned.
In a short interview with New York Magazine, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’s “Duke” had the following to say:
“Is it hard to show your face here at the iconic Chinese Theater to shill your new film on the same day your last film was bestowed with the shame of six Razzie nods?
Whoa. Cool. Did G.I. Joe win any? Was I nominated for Worst Actor? Afraid not. You were locked out by a bunch of aging comics and the Jonas Brothers.
That was probably a close one, but it’s hard to compete with those heartthrobs. Your co-stars Sienna Miller and Marlon Wayans were not so lucky.
Marlon’s Razzie for Little Man is his most prized trophy. I kid you not. He’s probably thrilled. Besides, when you do a movie like [G.I. Joe], you aren’t trying to break any ground. You just want kids and grown-ups who remember the cartoon to go see it, love it, and have a good time watching shit get blown up. And we did good business anyway. There is talk of a sequel. I know they hired a writer, so I’m crossing fingers”
Along with print interviews, he also sat down in front of a camera for Hollywood.com and showed some enthusiasm for the upcoming sequel and even made mention of Cobra Island! Check out that video below:
Although they don’t really nail down a source for the information, Korean rumor site allkpop.com is reporting that Byung-Hun Lee is slated to have a much larger role in upcoming G.I. Joe sequels, according to their sources at Paramount.
Somewhat buried within the article as well, it’s reported that “…Filming for the sequel is scheduled to begin in August with a pending 2012 release.”
Again, no reports about where the source of this information is coming from, but it certainly looks like things are moving full steam ahead.
GeneralsJoes contributor Mysterious Stranger got his hands on the recently released Toys “R” Us Exclusive Sting Raider w/ Copperhead & Swamp Viper and has reviewed the vehicle for us right here!
Also, hit up the Rise of Cobra Review Page to see all the other reviews that have been posted.
The TRU Exclusives are indeed hitting hot and heavy over the past few weeks, and the Terror Drome is staying right on top of it, with three reviews posted for Arctic Threat Doc, Arctic Threat Shipwreck, and the Sting Raider w/ Copperhead and Swamp-Viper. I will be posting my own review (courtesy of Mysterious Stranger) later today of the Sting Raider, but here are some mirrored images for the excellent reviews I linked above. TRU “Arctic Threat” Doc
Well, come on. None of us expected G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra to be nominated for any Oscars…though it did get a cursory nod for special effects. In fact, quite the opposite has happened, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra looks perched to make a killing at the Razzies, the annual “worst of” awards from the year in Cinema!
The full lowdown of the “awards” is listed after the jump… (more…)
