G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Theatrical Release Pushed Back Nine Months; Will Receive 3D Conversion

The upcoming action film sequel from Paramount Pictures and director Jon Chu stars Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Arnold Vosloo and Adrianne Palicki and was previously scheduled to hit theaters June 29, 2012.

A follow-up to the 2009 release of G.I. JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA, which grossed over $300M worldwide, Paramount Pictures, MGM and Skydance Productions, in association with HASBRO and di Bonaventura Pictures, commences production on G.I. JOE: RETALIATION. In this sequel, the G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Paramount Pictures is moving the theatrical release date of G.I. Joe: Retaliation from June 29th, 2012 to March 29, 2013. The film will also be given a post production conversion to 3D in an effort to bolster foreign box office gross.

According to one unnamed source of the outlet: “(Battleship) reminds you that if you don’t do it right, you’re screwed”

Paramount had recently begun their pre-release marketing push for the film, with a final trailer and final poster (pictured to the right) already debuting earlier this month. There's no word yet whether any changes to the film's story itself will be made. Unfortunately for longtime fans of the G.I. Joe franchise, the film will not be released in time for the upcoming 30th anniversary celebration of the brand in June.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation is directed by Jon Chu (Justin Bieber: Never Say Never) and stars Channing Tatum as Duke, Ray Park and Lee Byung-hun (I Saw the Devil) as the dueling ninjas Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as Roadblock, Elodie Yung as Jinx, D.J. Cotrona as Flint, RZA as Blind Master, Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye, Ray Stevenson as the villainous Firefly, Walton Goggins will play Warden Nigel James and Joe Mazzello in the role of Mouse. Bruce Willis will play General Joe Colton, the original G.I. Joe and the man from which the military super-team gets its name.