Hey folks, PJDonnell checking in from San Diego!
I attended the Hasbro Joe panel today, and I though the focus was more on the upcoming film and Resolute, it was still quite informative!
It's pretty late as I type this, but I'm uploading photos as fast as I can. Here's what I can make out from my handwritten notes:
Attending the panel were:
Hasbro rep and moderator Michael Ritchie
Hasbro G.I. Joe Design Directors Aaron Archer and Michelino Paolino
Comic Writer and Film consultant Larry Hama
Film Writer Stuart Beattie
Film Producer and Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner
Film Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura
G.I. Joe: Resolute Producer Joaquim Dos Santos
Hama made a point that even back when he was writing the comics, he always tried to listen to the fans' reactions. The internet makes it much easier these days - the film is really for us fans.
Lorenzo mentioned that Larry created too much good material and the challenge became how to keep as many as elements as possible while still doing it justice! Transformers needed a human way in, but Joe has it in abundance.
In the film, Duke left Baroness at the altar, and their past relationship plays heavily in the film. Ripcord has a comic "romance" with Scarlett - he keeps hitting on her and she has little experience with relationships with men. It was emphasized that Snake Eyes is a part of the love triangle.
The M.A.R.S. lab is underneath the polar ice caps.
Stuart likes to write like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - fewer action scenes than most movies, but longer in length. Emphasized he likes simple stories, but complex characters.
For Hasbro, the merchandise will be heavily influenced by G.I. Joe: Resolute next spring, transitioning to movie merch in the summer. The 25th Anniversary style is their standard format, so future toys will follow this template. Come 2010, Hasbro will reassess the balance among traditional Joe merch, Resolute merch, and film merch. Hasbro tries to plan out 10 years ahead! Expect lots of movie vehicles.
Resolute will be heavily Warren Ellis feel - he was hired to give it the PG-13 tone.
Resolute is looking for distributors for DVd - the film will not be edited for television, so expect later night airings.
The IDW comic license is being evaluated to best tie-in with the movie, and establishing a baseline from the comic history. Effort will be made to make it consistent with other projects.
See the panel pics here:
http://photos.yojoe.com/showgallery.php?cat=624
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