'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Featurette Digs Into the Explosive 3D (Exclusive Video)

The world of 3D filmmaking is not new for director Jon M. Chu, who helmed the dance and music-themed films Step Up 3D and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.

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But he puts the technology to use in a very different way for upcoming action film G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Instead of choreographed dance moves and on stage performances in front of hundreds of screaming fans, Chu's latest 3D pic focuses on cliff-hanging fight scenes and explosive action.

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In a new featurette, hosted here exclusively by The Hollywood Reporter, Chu and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura explain the use of 3D in the film while also previewing some of the most intense action sequences.

The Paramount film, which stars Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Adrianne Palicki, sees the G.I. Joes dealing with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence.

In the clip, Chu explains that the action pic was shot on film, so every frame had to be converted into 3D with the help of 700 artists.

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“It is an artistic tool to be used in the movie,” he says of the 3D.

Chu and di Bonaventura also tease some of the big action sequences, including a ninja fight on the side of the Himalayan mountains, which was one of the most time-consuming scenes.

Other big moments include a scene in which two of the ninjas jump of a bridge and shots of missiles heading to Earth, and eventually blowing up a city.

The blockbuster, a sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, will take viewers all over the world, from the “mountains of the Himalayas to Japan, Washington D.C. to the desert in Pakistan,” says Chu. And it’ll all be in 3D.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation opens in theaters on March 28.

Watch the featurette above.

Email: Rebecca.Ford@thr.com; Twitter: @Beccamford