G.I. Joe: The Movie

The movie was being produced by the same company, and at the same time, as The Transformers: The Movie (1986). This had been agreed that both movies would suffer the loss of the lead heroes, Optimus Prime and Duke. Production had begun on G.I. Joe first, and was thus expected to be released first. During the production of the two movies, G.I. Joe got held up while Transformers finished production. Release dates were changed and Transformers got a theatrical release in 1986. Optimus Prime's death sparked some controversy and caused the writers to change Duke's death to a coma. G.I. Joe never got to the theaters, and was released to video instead. Had G.I. Joe been released first, Optimus Prime might have survived the movie. However, according to story consultant Buzz Dixon, if you watch the "Duke goes into a coma" sequence with the volume turned down, it's obvious that Duke actually dies at the end of the scene.

Steeler and Grunt both make appearances in the movie. However, as per "Worlds Without End", they were left behind in the alternate Cobra-controlled universe and thus should not be on the active duty roster.

The movie is sometimes split up into syndication to be shown in half hour installments with the inclusion of live action introduction and conclusion scene with Sgt. Slaughter in front of an American flag.

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