G.I. Joe gets new marching orders

RETREAT: The star-studded sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation, will not be seen until 2013.

G.I. Joe won't be going into action on the big-screen this year, after all.

The Hollywood Reporter says Paramount Pictures yanked its sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation from its June 29 US release date and rescheduled the movie for March 29 next year.

While it's not uncommon for studios to shuffle opening dates, it is rare for such a big-budget movie to get the bump so close to its release. The movie had been scheduled for New Zealand release on August 2; No new release date has been announced yet.

Paramount executives told the Reporter the move was made so the studio would have time to convert G.I. Joe: Retaliation into a digital 3D version.

Action films often get most of their revenue from 3D showings, which cost a few dollars more per ticket and can boost a movie's prospects to make its money back.

Paramount did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press.

- AP