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.

DeRay Davis latest to join 'G.I. Joe 2'

Actor Dwayne Johnson has become the go-to source for everything "G.I. Joe 2." Less than two weeks after revealing Bruce Willis was joining the project, Johnson posted on Twitter that comedian DeRay Davis is in too.

DeRay Davis

"On set now. We're all waiting for ONE actor: @DeRayDavis. Very late. Time to get ya ass whupped son," Johnson posted today. (Hat tip to Comingsoon.net for the link.)

Davis has appeared in a number of movies recently, including "Jumping the Broom" and "Life as We Know It." It is not clear what role he has in the "G.I. Joe" sequel.

Davis 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 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.

Dwayne Johnson suiting up for 'G.I. Joe 2'?

Dwayne Johnson is reportedly in talks to join the as yet untitled "G.I. Joe" sequel.

Dwayne Johnson

Deadline is reporting Johnson, who was most recently seen in "Fast Five," would play Roadblock. If so, he would join actor Channing Tatum, according to the report.

Tatum played Duke in the 2009 live-action adaptation, along side a cast which included Sienna Miller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rachel Nichols, Dennis Quaid and Marlon Wayans.

Earlier reports, however, have hinted that the sequel, which will be directed by Jon M. Chu ("Justin Bieber: Never Say Never") will most likely drop much of the original cast with the exception of Channing.

I'll be honest. The more I hear about this project, the less I like. I have nothing against Johnson and think this is one of the better news items about the film, but there just seems to be so much more going wrong. Which is shame.

The first film was no masterpiece, but it was a sure sight better than "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," which opened earlier the same summer. It was also a pretty fun action flick which went on to make $150 million domestically and another $152 million overseas.

The movie served as an origin story of sorts and original director Stephen Sommers had plans for future installments. I guess we will never know what he had in mind.