‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ star gives back to local USO

Chapel Hill resident Augustus Cho is bringing a little piece of Hollywood to The Streets at Southpoint mall.

Cho — an actor in “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and a 2009 Chapel Hill mayoral candidate — will host a red-carpet event at Southpoint mall on Saturday to raise money and awareness for the USO of North Carolina.

Active military members and their families will be able to view “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” which premieres today, for free on Saturday at 3 p.m.

“The theme and the title fits in nicely with the military community, making the event easier to identify,” Cho said.

“However, I would have done a similar event even if it was another movie with a different theme. I would utilize whatever is available for a worthwhile cause such as the USO.”

According to a press release about the event, Cho’s military appreciation event will feature military displays, a color guard and a rappel team that will perform inside the mall.

There will also be a ceremony to honor the community’s military families and a parachute jump at 2 p.m.

“Anyone may attend,” Cho said.

“However, the exclusive private screening and the premier will be limited to the men and women in uniform, their immediate families, our event sponsors and invited VIPs.”

Cho, who plays a North Korean leader in the movie, developed the event.

“He wanted to do something to give back to our service members and use the movie as a means for doing that,” said Connie Inggs, director of the Raleigh-Durham USO.

Inggs said the organization’s goal is to lift the spirits of troops in North Carolina, which has the fourth largest military population in the U.S.

“Whether we philosophically support the war aside, the reality is that our Armed Forces are in the mountains of Afghanistan or in the desert of Iraq on our behalf,” Cho said. “Some of them will not come back alive.”

Cho said the movie, which also stars Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson and Channing Tatum, was supposed to premiere last year — but was delayed so the movie could be shown in 3-D.

Cho, who saw the movie for the first time Tuesday night, said it was an exhilarating experience.

“My mind was so busy trying to take in the various aspects of the movie … that I did not have the time to get excited about seeing myself on the 80-foot wide screen,” he said.

“I am going back to see it again tonight now that I know the plot line and actually breathe this time while watching.”

Cho said he hopes his fellow Chapel Hill residents enjoy his performance.

“Yes, you will see a Chapel Hillian in it,” he said.

“I have my moments.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.