Super Bowl Comercials: 'G,.I. Joe: Retribution' trailer

I made my thoughts on "G.I. Joe: Retribution," the sequel to 2009's "Rise of Cobra," pretty clear last summer after it was announced "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" director John Chu was at the helm.

With most of the original cast tossed aside, I didn't hold much hope. Then the new cast started to take shape with a few surprises, most notably Bruce Willis. Even better, the first full trailer revealed that despite the cast overhaul, it seemed they weren't throwing away the story buildup from the first one.

Then they had to go and do this:



If you want to use some Jay-Z in your trailer, I'm fine with that. Use it in the movie, go right ahead. But to have Dwayne Johnson (portraying Roadblock) quote him in the actual movie? Seriously? And then use that clip in your big Super Bowl spot?

I'm not writing the film off for a second time quite yet, but I'm going to call this one a big step back, especially after how good the full trailer was.

John Moore to direct 'Die Hard 5'

Director John Moore is now free to die hard.

According to Deadline, the director survived the gauntlet and is in final negotiations to join actor Bruce Willis for "Die Hard 5."

Bruce Willis to return as John McClaine

It was revealed earlier this month that 20th Century Fox had shortlisted its choices for director, with Joe Cornish ("Attack the Block"), Justin Lin ("Fast Five") and Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive") also in the running.

His films include "Max Payne," "The Omen" and "Behind Enemy Lines."

According to the report, filming for "Die Hard 5" will take place in Russia. Additionally, Willis was very "hands on" in the director search and met with Moore before the studio made its final decision.

The original "Die Hard" shot its way into theaters in 1988, and the latest installment, "Live Free or Die Hard," arrived in June 2007, bringing home $134 million domestically and $383 million worldwide on a production budget of $110 million. That film was directed by Len Wiseman, also known for the "Underworld" films.

Willis also recently signed on for the "G.I. Joe" sequel, in which he will play General Joe Colton, a character who never appeared in the 1980s animated series but did show up periodically in the various comic book incarnations, having been the original "G.I. Joe," appointed by President John F. Kennedy to create an "ultimate freedom fighting force."

Bruce Willis signs up for 'G.I. Joe 2'

According to "G.I. Joe 2" star Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis has official joined the sequel.

Bruce Willis

Johnson tweeted about his new co-star Saturday afternoon, posting, "Welcome brother Bruce Willis to the cast of GI Joe! What an honor." (Hat tip to Comingsoon.net for the link.)

It was first reported Wednesday that Willis was in talks to star in the project as General Joe Colton, a character who never appeared in the 1980s animated series but did show up periodically in the various comic book incarnations, having been the original "G.I. Joe," appointed by President John F. Kennedy to create an "ultimate freedom fighting force."

Johnson is on board as the G.I. Joe Roadblock.

It was also recently announced that 20th Century Fox is moving forward with a fifth installment in the "Die Hard" franchise with Willis on board as John McClane.

Willis joins returning cast members Channing Tatum (Duke), Ray Park (Snake Eyes) and Byung-hun Lee (Storm Shadow), along with newcomers Adrianne Palicki (Lady Jane), D.J. Cotrona (Flint), RZA (Blind Master), Elodie Yung (Jinx), Ray Stevenson (Firefly), Walton Goggins (Warden Nigel James).

The sequel will be directed by Jon M. Chu ("Justin Bieber: Never Say Never") and is set for a June 29, 2012, release date.

Bruce Willis in talks to join 'G.I. Joe 2'

Action star Bruce Willis is in talks to join the forthcoming "G.I. Joe" sequel, according to Heat Vision.

Bruce Willis

Willis would play General Joe Colton, a character who never appeared in the 1980s animated series but did show up periodically in the various comic book incarnations, having been the original "G.I. Joe," appointed by President John F. Kennedy to create an "ultimate freedom fighting force."

It was recently announced that 20th Century Fox is moving forward with a fifth installment in the "Die Hard" franchise with Willis on board as John McClane.

If he does join "G.I. Joe," Willis will act beside returning cast members Channing Tatum (Duke), Ray Park (Snake Eyes) and Byung-hun Lee (Storm Shadow), along with newcomers Adrianne Palicki (Lady Jane), D.J. Cotrona (Flint), RZA (Blind Master), Elodie Yung (Jinx), Ray Stevenson (Firefly) and Dwayne Johnson (Roadblock).

The sequel will be directed by Jon M. Chu ("Justin Bieber: Never Say Never") and is set for a June 29, 2012, release date.  

Fox looking for 'Die Hard 5' director

John McClane is set to find himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time...for the fifth time.

The last "Die Hard" film debuted in '07.

According to Deadline, 20th Century Fox is moving forward with a fifth installment in the action franchise, "Die Hard," with Bruce Willis as the embattled cop McClane.

The studio is reportedly working to shore up a director and has a short list which includes Joe Cornish ("Attack the Block"), Justin Lin ("Fast Five"), Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive") and John Moore ("Max Payne").

Lin is probably the most in-demand of the directors coming off the success of "Fast Five," and the news that he is attached to the revival of "The Terminator" series, although that project has been left in limbo since Arnold Schwarzenegger's marriage scandal.

The original "Die Hard" shot its way into theaters in 1988, and the latest installment, "Live Free or Die Hard," arrived in June 2007, bringing home $134 million domestically and $383 million worldwide on a production budget of $110 million. That film was directed by Len Wiseman, also known for the "Underworld" films.

Despite its faults, "Live Free or Die Hard" was a decent summer action flick, although there is simply something not quite right about a PG-13-rated "Die Hard" film. As last year's "RED" proved, however, Willis still has some years left in him as an action star.