CineAsia 2012: 'G.I. Joe,' 'Despicable Me' Sequels Launch Fresh Footage

10:44 PM PST 12/11/2012 by Clarence Tsui

27
66
0
0
906
Email
Print
Comments

Paramount Pictures

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation"

Paramount unspools a 3D trailer and footage of "G.I.Joe: Retaliation" in the presence of its director and Korean star, while Universal shows first sequence of "Despicable Me 2."

'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Returns With International Trailer (Video)

'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Director Jon M. Chu on Not Shooting in 3D, Addressing Studio Notes

Universal Sets Release Date for 'Despicable Me' Spin-Off Project

Brad Pitt's Zombie Nightmare: Inside the Troubled 'World War Z' Production

HONG KONG – Stereoscopic trailers and sneak peeks of tentpole sequels dominated the first half of CineAsia’s second-day proceedings on Dec. 12, with Paramount launching its revamped G.I. Joe sequel in the presence of director Jon Chu and star Lee Byung-hyun, and Universal unveiling a part of Despicable Me 2.

While the teaser of the original 2D G.I. Joe: Retaliation, originally slated for a June 2012 release, concentrated more on the story of its protagonists being excommunicated by the US government, the new trailer of the converted 3D version (which debuts in the U.S. on March 29, 2013) plays up its staggering visuals and action scenes.

Chu, who appeared on stage with Lee at the presentation at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, described the making of Retaliation as “really insane." Pointing to his actor – whose role of Storm Shadow was “expanded” in the sequel, according to Paramount Pictures International president Mark Viane – Chu said: “His abs in 3D look amazing."

“When I first heard Asia was the biggest-selling region for G.I. Joe I was shocked,” said Lee, who returns to the franchise’s new installment, alongside new additions Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis. Lee will receive CineAsia’s Star of the Year award at the convention’s concluding ceremony Dec. 13.

Paramount also preceded the screening of the new trailer of Marc Forster’s World War Z, and is received warmly by trade representatives in attendance. The film, to be released on June 28, 2013, stars Brad Pitt.

Meanwhile, enthusiasm was evident as Universal introduced a sequence of Despicable Me 2, the follow-up to the Steve Carell-voiced animation about the villainous Dr Gru converted to goodness (and suburban life) with the adoption of three girls.