The film opened with a disappointing $1.3 million (£812,000) - the worst ever haul for a movie opening on 2,400-plus U.S. screens - and Chu was far from upbeat as he addressed movie fans at the Film Independent Forum on Saturday (24Oct15).

"This is a bit awkward only because I'm supposed to be here this morning talking about how great it is to be in the movie business," the director told the crowd during his Filmmaker Keynote speech. "I don't know if you've looked at box office numbers, this morning specifically, it hasn't been the greatest (weekend)."

Chu then revealed he and producer Jason Blum had received death threats from fans of the 1980s cartoon series, which they adapted for their new film.

The G.I. Joe: Retaliation director explained, "I get fans sending me hate mail, I get death threats, I get racist remarks. It's a really fun business. Reviewers have been harsh, to say it lightly."

He added, "We only made the movie for five (million dollars), but it doesn't get easy when you hear those (box office) numbers."