‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ Delayed Until March 2013

No amount of Bruce Willis can save the Joes now -- 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' has been delayed until next March while the studio preps the film for post-conversion to 3D.

Deadline has the scoop on the last minute date change for the summer action film, which was set to release next month, on June 29th. The sequel will now release on March 29, 2013, nine months after its originally scheduled release date.

Ironically, 'G.I. Joe' was moved to its June date to take over for 'Star Trek 2' which Paramount also delayed to 2013. And just yesterday in an Esquire cover story, Bruce Willis could barely muster enough enthusiasm to talk about his part in 'G.I. Joe' while he gushed over his other upcoming movie 'Looper.'

As the story goes, executives at Paramount are concerned about potential international earnings, so they've decided to post-convert the film to 3D to boost box office sales. It's a bold move, but as the old adage goes, you've gotta spend money to make money... right? Right??

[UPDATE: The Rock confirmed last night that 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' will be going back before cameras for some reshoots.]

Deadline has a quote from a Paramount exec explaining the sudden change of heart:

Jim Cameron did all of 'Titanic''s 3D in post – and look how well that movie turned out.

Right, except 'Titanic' was already an established box office success, and Jim Cameron is... well, Jim Cameron. It was only logical that 'Titanic' would make some serious bank if re-released, particularly in 3D. 'G.I. Joe,' on the other hand, isn't a guaranteed box office smash, and we don't think Paramount's going to have much luck getting ol' Jimmy Cameron to come oversee their post-conversion process.

And with all the money they've already spent marketing the film, this seems like a rash decision. But hey, good luck with your movie!