MovieChat Forums > G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) Discussion > Eccleston as Destro: What a missed oppor...

Eccleston as Destro: What a missed opportunity...

posted 14 years ago by BalanceOfPower
7 replies | jump to latest

Doesn't it strike anyone else as completely odd and/or inconsistent that the screenwriters of this movie - who, either in their lack of skill or interest, created needless plot devices like the Cobra's need to "weaponize" their nano-lavalamp-warheads (something McCullen/Destro should have been able to do since he developed it) - while at the same time creating this ridiculous backstory about McCullen's family history?

Why the need to create this silly backstory? As if the sole motivation for an arms dealer/developer being money and power were far fetched?

Did anyone else notice the incredible missed opportunity for Arnold Vosloo to play Destro?

The original Destro (from the 80s TV show) had an African/South African accent, Vosloo is from South Africa. He looks fantastic bald, as evidenced from the Mummy Movies. Imagine that distinguished pate in chrome!

Normally Scottish accents don't grate on me, but Eccleston just came off as shrill and annoying, not diabolical or conniving as the original Destro characterized.

What a shame, especially considering Stephen Sommers' own history of working with Vosloo, that he would have him play second fiddle to Eccleston is a tragedy.

[–] KthulhuX 14 years ago

"The original Destro (from the 80s TV show) had an African/South African accent"

Well, the Destro from the comics, the toy line, and basically every other version of the franchise with the exception of the 80s show is SCOTTISH. As is made pretty evident by his SCOTTISH name, McCullen.

Also, that same back-history has also always been a part of the character, even in the 80s cartoon.

[–] BalanceOfPower 14 years ago

Hmmm well I guess I stand corrected. I was never aware Destro had any other name but Destro in the 80s cartoon. I read the Marvel comic in the 80s but I don't recall his surname McCullen being mentioned either, it might have come after I stopped reading it regularly (around the time of the GI Joe and Transformers' crossover issues), but again that was a long time ago and my memory of the comic is long faded.

Do you know what episode of the 80s cartoon that McCullen is mentioned? I'd like to check it out.

Thanks

BoP

[–] mdelvecchio 13 years ago

that was an episode that took place in Scotland, "Skeletons in the Closet", where it turned out that Destro and Lady Jaye are related.

[–] clark_gillies 13 years ago

I am Scottish, and have to admit that I felt insulted by Ecclestons poor Scottish accent!

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mrkovacs1 13 years ago

That episode was one of my favorites. Wasn't there some kind of squid cthulhu type creature that lived in a well or something?

[–] TalynStarburst 14 years ago

i think Eccleston is a very talented actor.. he did great as Dr. Who and a few other movies i have seen him in.

but the role of Destro didn't seem to fit him. plus his acting skills really didn't shine out.. but nobody else did either.