For Channing Tatum, working on “G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra” was an obligation more than an actual interest. In a 2015 interview with Howard Stern, the “This Is The End” star revealed that he filmed the feature due to his three-picture deal with Paramount Pictures. “Look, I’ll be honest. I f****** hate that movie. I was pushed into doing that movie,” he explained.
Tatum then said that the aforementioned deal came after the success of the Samuel L. Jackson-led film “Coach Carter.” “They give you a contract and they go, ‘Three-picture deal, here you go.’ And as a young [actor] you’re like, ‘Oh my god, that sounds amazing, I’m doing that,'” he continued.
Even though he was initially hesitant to participate in the film, the “Dog” star revealed that he requested to play Snake Eyes, which was denied by executives. “I’m like ‘look I love G.I Joe, can I play Snake Eyes?’ and they’re like ‘No, you’re playing Duke.'” Tatum’s Howard Stern interview wasn’t the only time he mentioned his desire to play Snake Eyes, though. During a 2009 interview with “TODAY,” he opened up about his love for the brand, stating, “I had all of [the action figures]. Snake Eyes was my favorite, that’s who I wanted to play before they said Duke was the only one I could play.”
