'G.I. Joe's' move to 2013: A curse or blessing in disguise?
Source: Los Angeles Times
Hollywood was all aflutter late last week over the news that Paramount had done the unthinkable — it had delayed the release of its big summer film “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” just five weeks before it was due to reach theaters. The studio said it was pushing the release back to next March so the film could be converted to 3-D.
Judging from the buzz on Twitter and reaction from industry insiders, no one was buying that explanation. The consensus? Paramount must have decided that it didn’t have the goods to go up against so much stiff summer superhero competition. Surely the film must be a dog.
After all, when studios bail on a release date, it’s usually a sign of something being amiss. Paramount had already spent millions on marketing and promotion touting the film’s launch, including a costly buy for a Super Bowl commercial. The “G.I. Joe” trailer was already playing in theaters. Billboards were up around town. As one top studio executive told me, with obvious relish: “Look on the bright side. Paramount could be the first studio ever to run a spot for the same movie on two Super Bowls in a row.”
From the standpoint of conventional wisdom, surely someone hit the panic button. Look at Marvel Studios: It locks in its release dates years in advance, often long before anyone has started to shoot the movie or even finished the script. For years, this has been the calculus for summer behemoths: Plant your flag on an attractive release date and work backward from that.
It makes a lot of sense, especially if you’re a showbiz brand manager who views your movie as an industrial assembly-line product. In pop music, an artist can sense something in the air, slip into their backyard studio and get a record out into the world in months, sometimes weeks. TV shows deal with zeitgeist issues all the time.
But Hollywood, especially when it comes to reacting to the marketplace, rumbles at the pace of a 2-ton dinosaur. Studios have so many merchandising tie-in deals and carefully orchestrated promotional windows that once a movie’s release date is set, it’s almost impossible to shift gears.
Studios are also prisoners of a risk-averse mind-set that has clogged the machinery of the business, stifling almost anything that resembles innovative thinking. This is especially true of studio release dates, which often seem to be chosen by a distribution chief who’s been in closed-door consultations with a palm reader. If a film does well on a specific date, as “The Dark Knight” did when it came out on the third Friday in July 2008, you can bet that its sequel, this summer’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” will also show up in theaters on the third Friday in July.
Perhaps because Paramount doesn’t have the same deep pockets as most of its studio rivals, it has been open to less traditional kinds of decision making. The studio spends less of its own money bankrolling movies than any other major distributor, but it has been especially canny about getting the most bang for its buck from its releases, one reason why it was the industry’s market share leader in 2011.
Paramount’s business has been booming overseas, in large part because of recent 3-D releases like “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Kung Fu Panda 2” and “Thor.” It was an obvious motivation for giving “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” a 3-D makeover. With audiences in Russia, Korea, Brazil and Japan flocking to see 3-D films, studios believe that a good film can easily enjoy a 25% to 30% boost in its box office if it is distributed in 3-D. With digitally-equipped theater expansion unfolding at a breakneck pace, there will be even more potential ticket sales available by the time “G.I. Joe” debuts.
But to hear insiders at Paramount tell it, the studio was also reacting to events that had occurred in the marketplace since “G.I. Joe” went into production last summer. In fact, executives at every studio in town have been losing sleep in the last several months, trying to make sense of a series of major seismic shocks to their traditional business model.
Over the past 80 days, the industry has been rocked by the release of two huge flops — Disney’s “John Carter” and Universal’s “Battleship.” Each lost many millions, $200 million in the case of “Carter.” At the same time, the industry has spawned two gigantic hits, Disney’s “The Avengers” and Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games,” which are setting box-office records all around the globe.
As one veteran studio executive put it: “It’s great to have the big hits, but when you have two huge films that tank like that, it’s not a fluke — it’s a very unsettling development. It proves that there’s no floor anymore. You can spend an unbelievable amount of marketing dollars and still not even open your movie.”
For Paramount, the biggest lesson from this upheaval is that it couldn’t stand pat with “G.I. Joe.” The studio claims that when it greenlighted the film, it was so rushed that it couldn’t be in 3-D and still meet its summer release date. That now looks like a blunder. By delaying the film, the studio will eat a lot of marketing dollars, as well as spending more money on a 3-D conversion. But with the film in the hands of Jon Chu, a young filmmaker who’s already fluent in the technology, having made two 3-D movies already, the studio believes that a 3-D version of the film would be seen as more of an event internationally.
The studio also isn’t so hung up on leaving June 29 behind. In recent years, a host of films have done summer-like business in March, most recently “The Hunger Games,” which had one of the largest opening weekends ever from its March 23 launching pad this year. Ditto for “Alice in Wonderland,” also released in March, which out-grossed every 2010 release besides “Toy Story 3.”
No one’s saying that “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” will end up being a bigger hit next March than it would’ve been this June. But it is a sign that Paramount isn’t wearing blinders. With two giant action movies having recently capsized, despite huge marketing pushes from their studios, it’s time to realize that if you don’t have the goods, you can’t buy your way to success.
Lee Byung Hun Appointed Nautica Outdoor Exclusive Model
Source: outdoornews.co.kr, thanks to PlanetBH0712 for the highlight l gist by EverythingLBH.com
▲ Actor Lee Byung Hun has been appointed the first exclusive model for Nautica Outdoor (NAUTICA OUTDOOR) which is set to launch its 2012 F/W outdoor urban & stylish season showcase in Korea this August.
Nautica Outdoor official stated that "the nature-friendly Nautica will be conveyed perfectly by global star Lee Byung Hun through the stylish outdoor lifestyle that reflects the look of urban showcase urban in the current outdoor market with aggressive marketing plan to unfold."
Lee Byung Hun will begin filming for the brand name in June thus launching authentic visual activities.
Lee Byung Hun & Han Hyo Joo's "Masquerade" changed to "Gwanghae"
Source: Nate 1 l 2 via Hancinema.net
"Masquerade" with Lee Byeong-Heon and Han Hyo-joo has changed its name to "Gwanghae: The Man who became King" according to a staff member on the 31st.
"Gwanghae: The Man who became King" is about Ha-seon, a low-class born man, who looks exactly like the king, taking over the throne instead of the king. "Gwanghae: The Man who became King" reflects more on the content of the movie than "Masquerade".
Other than the fact that this movie is the first historical movie Lee Byeong-Heon is starring in, it is also a point where we can see Lee Byeong-Heon's change. He is taking on two roles including the low class born man and the king.
Meanwhile, written by Hwang Jo-yoon and directed by Choo Chang-min, "Gwanghae: The Man who became King" is aiming for release this coming Chuseok.
Lee Byung-hun tapped as new face of Nautica
Reporter : Monica Suk Editor : Lucia Hong 10Asia l Nate 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l 6 l 7 l 8 l 9
Lee Byung-hun [BH Entertainment]
Actor Lee Byung-hun has been named the new face of outdoor brand Nautica, according to a press release sent by his agency, BH Entertainment, Wednesday.
Lee, who starred in Hollywood blockbuster film "G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra," has been tapped to help promote Nautica's overall marketing including the brand's campaigns and charity events.
The officials said that the Korean heartthrob will launch his activities as the brand's model by shooting photos late next month.
"We chose Lee, who is standing shoulder to shoulder with other Hollywood actors, without any hesitation to help us advertise the global brand's new outdoor line. Our firm believes that his healthy and luxurious image will fit well with Nautica," an official with Nautica was quoted as saying.
While the release date of his "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" sequel has been postponed indefinitely, to be reproduced in a 3D version, Lee has confirmed that he will be starring in another Hollywood film and a Korean feature movie soon.
According to BH's previous statements, Lee will be joining the ensemble cast of Hollywood A-listers -- Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker and Helen Mirren -- in "RED 2," the sequel to action flick "RED."
Also, Lee began shooting for his first historical pic tentatively titled "I am the King of Joseon" in February and the film is expected to be released in the latter half of this year.
Actor Lee Byung Hun‘s first historical drama genre movie, 'Gwang Hae: The Man Who Became King', will premiere this fall.
On June 1st, movie distributing agency CJ E&M announced that the movie title ‘King of Chosun‘ will be changed to ‘Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King.’
In the movie, Lee Byung Hun will play the role of a peasant who is hired as a double for the king who has fallen sick. due to his similar look to the king.
‘Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King’ marks Lee Byung Hun’s first attempt at the historical genre. The expectations for the actor are even higher, since he will be playing both the role of the king and the peasant.
Along with Lee Byung Hun, Ryu Seung Ryong and Han Hyo Joo will also star in this movie, along with Kim Myung Gon, Kim In Gwon, Shim Eun Gyung, and many other renowned actors.
Currently, the movie is in the last stage of production for its release in the fall.
Lee Byung-hun's 1st historical film announces final title "Masquerade"
Reporter : Monica Suk Editor : Lucia Hong 10Asia
The title of actor Lee Byung-hun's first historical film has been announced.
Initially announced as "I am the King of Joseon," Lee's upcoming movie title has been finalized to "Masquerade," the film's promoter 1st Look told 10Aisa in a phone interview on Friday.
While the original Korean title is translated as "Gwanghae, the Man Who Became the King," the officials said this decision was made because "the story focuses on the episodes that a low class man goes through to become the king of the country."
In the forthcoming pic, the Korean heartthrob will play double role by acting Gwanghae, the 15th king of Joseon Dynasty, and Ha-sun, a man of low class by birth.
King Gwanghae is known to be one of the misfortunate figures in the Joseon Dynasty's history. As he was deposed by the Westerners faction in a coup, historians did not give him a temple name like Taejo or Sejong.
Actor Ryu Seung-ryeong, who recently played a casanova in box office chart-topper, "All About My Wife," is playing a character that plays a major role in making Ha-sun sit on the throne.
Actress Han Hyo-joo plays the queen and other veteran actors Kim Myung-gon and Kim In-kwon will co-star in the movie.
Lee's agency, BH Entertainment, said previously that Lee began shooting "Masquerade" last February and the film is expected to be released sometime in the latter half of this year.
Actor Joo Ji Hoon revealed that he "feels no pressure" about being potentially compared to Lee Byung Hun.
On the filming site of film 'I am a King' on the 3rd, Joo Ji Hoon commented, "If the genres were the same, I would feel pressure, but since the genres are completely different, I told myself not to focus on other films."
Continuing, "It's my first time acting in a comedy. It was quite difficult to create the character of a comedy. I haven't seen other films' scenarios or thought about anything else besides filming."
Joo Ji Hoon will play the roles of both slave Deok Chil and crown prince Chung Nyeong who becomes King Sejong in historical comedy 'I am a King.'
Lee Byung Hun is the male lead for historical film 'Kwang Hae, The Man Who Became King,' who also plays two roles; the role of Chosun's king Kwang Hae as well as the man Ha Sun who became the fake Kwang Hae.
Actor Lee Byung Hun awaits his first historical film 'Kwang Hae, The Man Who Became King' release in the fall.
On the 1st, film distributor CM Entertainment & Media revealed that 'Kwang Hae, The Man Who Became King,' originally 'King of Chosun,' will premiere this coming fall.
Lee Byung Hun will play the role of Chosun's king Kwang Hae as well as the man Ha Sun who became the fake Kwang Hae. Ryu Seung Ryong will play the role of Heo Gyun, while Han Hyo Joo will play the role of the queen, who finds herself between the real king and the fake king.
Title of Lee Byung-hun's first historical movie decided as 'Gwanghae'
By Lim Ju-Hui | STAR N News l Nate
The title of Lee Byung-heon's first historical drama was finally decided as 'Gwanghae'.
'Gwanghae' will be released in this fall, and it's a movie about a low class slave becoming a true king that the entire Choson longed for.
Ryu Seungryong, Han Hyojoo, Kim Myung-gon, Kim In-kwon, and Shim Eunkyung is casting in the movie with Lee Byung-heon, and it was directed by Choo Chanmin, whodirected 'Mapado' and 'I Love You'.
On the other hand, 'Gwanghae' is a movie about a slave who became the 'fake king' for thereal king who was in the danger of assassination, and it will be released this fall.
Director Jon Chu Requested A Longer Delay For G.I. JOE: RETALIATION General Joes has chatted with director Jon Chu about the G.I. Joe: Retaliation rumors and he has clarified that he requested the long delay in order to get the the 3D conversion done correctly.
Credit: nailbiter111 comicbookmovie.com
UPDATE: General Joes spoke with Jon Chu through twitter in hopes of dismissing the new rumors that the director is having a conflict with Paramount about the delay.
The director of G.I. Joe: Retaliation denies claims that there is any contention whatsoever between himself and Paramount, and he is in fact currently at work on the film. The long length of the delay was actually at his request to make sure if they were going to go through the 3D conversion that they do it the right way and not be rushed.
He did admit that he was disappointed about the push back of the film, but he is working hard to do the film right. In fact, the director, who already has significant 3D experience with Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, said to me that he hopes to try some “fun new things” with the technology as we move towards the new release date in 2013.
While he obviously could not confirm any specific details about reshoots, he did say that any new scenes they are shooting will endeavor to be as good as they can be in 3D to make the wait worth while.
Mr. Chu did want to make sure that I relayed his deep appreciation for all of the great feedback he’s received so far and for how well he is being accepted and treated by the fans of the franchise. He and Paramount are “working very well together” and from the sounds of it, the film is on the right track as we move towards March, 2013. He was quite happy and satisfied that Paramount agreed to give them the extra time and resources required to do the film in 3D the right way. - General Joes
Last week Deadline reported that their source had heard that Jon Chu was "shellshocked" about pushing back the released date for G.I. Joe: Retaliation. While Paramount is sticking with the story that the delay is just for 3D conversion, reports left and right have said otherwise. Now getting into the mix is HitFix who reports that Chu could be replaced as the director, but not without a fight.
We've been hearing reports of rough test screenings for the film, but things are starting to get genuinely contentious between director Jon Chu and the studio, and right now, there is a chance he won't be directly involved at all with the reshoots. There's also a chance Chu might try to legally force his way back onto the film, which could create even more strain in the relationship he has with Paramount. Word is that producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is firmly on Chu's side, which could help, but I shouldn't be shocked if we get word soon that Stuart Baird or someone similar is being brought on to "consult." - HitFix
Channing Tatum talks (briefly) about rumors of more Duke in G.I. Joe: Retaliation GeneralJoes.com
Kim Sun-woo (Lee Byung-Hun) manages a hotel owned by a cruel and calculating crime boss, Kang (Kim Yeong-cheol). When Kang suspects his young girlfriend Hee-soo (Shin Min-Ah) of having an affair, he orders Sun-woo to follow her and if true, kill her. Sun-woo does catch Hee-soo with another man but to his own surprise, he releases them. Now he must face the consequences of disobeying his unforgiving boss.
After a year and a half of faithfully reporting on everything we could find on the internet concerning Mr. Lee Byung Hun, we have decided we also want to once in a while express our thoughts and feelings about what he is doing and what is happening to him. So we have decided to issue an editorial post every so often - depending on how much is going on - where we will re-cap the latest happenings and appearances, and tell you what we think about it.
After spending months in New Orleans filming the GI Joe sequel, we finally saw Lee Byung Hun in the new year and what a 2012 it will be. To start it off, it's LBH's longtime friend, manager and BH Entertainment CEO Son Seok Woo's wedding with Mr. Lee as the emcee of the ceremony, most definitely. It's also the week it was announced that Lee Eun Hee finally to be married in March after several unconfirmed news in 2011. Well, can they have a wedding without the main man of the family around?
Mid-January, while promoting his movie 'Mysterious Island', Hollywood actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson had praised LBH at a press conference in Taiwan. "It was a great experience working with Lee. We became good friends while filming GI Joe. As an actor, he has such a tremendous aura about him. I was drawn to him from the first time we met. He's also very humble yet sure of himself and has such a presence in the film." And so, the GI Joe: Retaliation promo wheels have begun rolling. Popular Section TV also ran a sweet feature on LBH while he was in New Orleans, talking to the actor as well as a sneak gush with the director.
On January 24, a solo BH was spotted at the Incheon airport enroute to LA. Business or personal trip or both?
February started big-time with GI Joe: Retaliation hitting the promos hard at the Super Bowl TV Spot creating the attention it wanted. Oh, throw in the highly-anticipated toyline and appearances & interviews by the director and cast at the American International Toy Fair. No small feat to say the least.
In the meantime, at #7, LBH makes it in the list of 17 top box-office hitmakers in Korea since 2005. Not bad at all and well-deserved. Of course, this year he'll be back on home screens in his first ever Sageuk playing the King Gwanghaegun and his pauper doppledanger. Two of Lee Byung Hun in one movie, let's bring it on! Not short on weddings in February, time for actor Ko Soo to walk down the aisle on the 17th. Ever the cool senior and committed friend, the-busy-filming-King Gwanghae appeared as the wedding emcee yet again (on request of KS) and to the super delight of LBH fans all over.. why, you'd ask - lots of Hunnielicious photos, of course!
As GI Joe: Retaliation trailers being released, its producer Lorenzo diBonaventura in an interview clip praised LBH on his improved English skills in the new movie as well as confirming a bigger role for Storm Shadow. Yay, we can't be happier to hear that! On the homefront, BH joined other leading movie stars together on Arena Homme Plus pictorial March 2012 edition as they celebrate the 10 years of Cinematheque. Really suave pictorial for a cool theme.
March was a merry month as detailed plan and preparation went underway for Lee Eun Hee's much awaited wedding. As the happy and proud brother of the bride, Lee Byung Hun was all in making sure the wedding the most beautiful ever. And not to be outdone, LBH's international manager Mr. Charles Pak also tied the knot just days after.
As follow-up to the Adoption Campaign in 2010, LBH donated his hats to a good cause in a celebrity auction. More sweet news as Lee Byung Hun appointed the voice for Hyundai's new brand advertisement and global campaign. More fan treat as the Chinese edition of April 2012 Cosmopolitan's 12-question interview with Lee Byung Hun had shared some pretty cool and heart-warming tidbits about the actor.
But is this an April Fools' joke? Lee Byung Hun and actress Lee Min Jung are dating? No, they are not though they've known each other and spotted at the family dinner. But the media seemed to think otherwise. Still on love-calls as they say in Korea, Battleship Director Peter Berg had enthusiastically claimed that "I'm a big fan of Mr. Lee's and if any of you know him, please let him know that we'll be very interested in letting Korea kick some butt in the sequel." However.. after the sinking of Battleship, would that hope float?
Hot on a posters' galore trail for GI Joe: Retaliation, co-star Bruce Willis had high regards for LBH, "I love that guy. I have my own heroes and I have guys I look up to and he's one of them. He's just a great guy and tough guy and really sweet. And very easy to get along with and we're all really happy to have him in the film.." Lee Byung Hun appeared at 'GI Joe: Retaliation' Press Day on April 25, responding to Bruce Willis' praise, working in Hollywood, well everything about work but no personal questions, nom nom nom.
Good thing that good things come in twos. After the incredible amount of photos at the GI Joe press day.. no less than 450 captures, the dashing LBH attended the 48th Baeksang Arts Award ceremony as the presenter for the last & best 2 awards, the Grand Prize Daesang on April 26. Not to mention his warm encounter with Best Actor Ahn Sung Ki whom together they'll be honored in LA on June 23.. so, mark the date!
But hey, just as we thought LBH would be busy playing King, a photo on the red carpet caught the attention of everyone and this was no ordinary event but the MET Gala 2012 at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Does he ever pause for a moment? Apparently not as few days after that Lee Byung Hun confirmed his role in Hollywood film RED 2 alongside Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren plus Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins. From the Joes to Hollywood gold?
Despite not having a movie at the 65th Cannes Film Festival, we were treated with Hunnie sightings at the French Riviera annual fest when GI Joe: Retaliation banner spotted at the Carlton Paris while a teaser poster for RED 2 already boosting LBH's name amongst the heavyweights. Lee Byung Hun's influence in the 2012 Cannes Film Market had also resulted in better sales for the upcoming sequel in Korea.
Yet the biggest MAYhem came from two situation - the already expected cancellation of the proposed Lee Byung Hun Paris Fan Meeting 2012, set out last year by the French fans for a chance to meet the actor upclose -- it was not meant to be. Why aren't we surprised?
Click on image to expand
And Damn Damn Damn (have you heard the Avril Lavigne's song).. out of nowhere.. in just 5 weeks to its 2012 release, GI Joe: Retaliation wasshockingly postponed to March 29, 2013 citing major 3D overhaul which in no time inciting major criticisms from all over the globe. Well, there goes the June 15th GI Joe: Retaliation press conference and world premiere in Seoul. Nice going, Paramount.. you better not mess up any of Storm Shadow's screentime.
Last but not least, for now - a little extra something for Lee Byung Hun as our international star exclusively appointed as Nautica Outdoor Exclusive Model Congrats and be happy, but with just one movie showing in 2010, 2011, 2012.. can we hope that there'll be more acting projects instead? Dramas would be a dream but more movies, please pretty please.
Look East Korean film fest: 'Poetry,' 'The Host' in 3-D top lineup
Source: LA Times Look East Film festival Ten films from South Korea, including 2010's acclaimed "Poetry" and 2009's Park Chan-wook vampire drama "Thirst," will screen as part of the inaugural Look East: Korean Film Festival, which will take place at Grauman's Chinese Theatre June 23-24, organizers announced Monday.
The lineup includes the 2005 film "A Bittersweet Life," starring Lee Byung-hun, who will appear in person for a Q&A and who will be among the first Korean performers in the history of the legendary Hollywood movie palace to have his handprints and footprints added to the theater's courtyard.
Also showing at the festival will be the 1958 drama "Flower in Hell" and the 1949 film "A Hometown in My Heart," both U.S. premieres; 2004's "3 Iron" from respected auteur Kim Ki-duk; "Poetry," from Korean writer-director Lee Chang-dong and starring the acclaimed actress Yun Jung-hee; and Todd McCarthy's 2007 documentary "Pierre Rissient: Man of Cinema." French filmmaker and champion of Korean cinema Rissient will be on hand for a Q&A.
A 3-D version of the 2006 horror film "The Host," directed by Bong Joon-ho, also will be included in the lineup. For a complete list of films, information about tickets to screenings and other events related to the festival, go to www.LookEastFestival.com
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