Jon M. Chu on Directing Justin Bieber’s Tour, DS2DIO, and Masters of the Universe Reboot

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  • Eclectic director Jon M. Chu (“Step Up 3D,” “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never,” that cool new Microsoft Surface commercial) stops by What’s Trending to answer fan questions about his upcoming “GI Joe: Retaliation” sequel, Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” video, and revolutionary dance channel, DS2DIO.

    “This is where the new dance studio was happening. It wasn’t in a physical place anymore,” Jon says of YouTube’s DS2DIO, which features shows such as Arena, LXD and Masterclass. “All the walls had come down.”

    After having been on the opposing side of a heated YouTube video dance-off with Miley Cyrus, Jon noticed that there were a wealth of talented dancers who were hungry for exposure, as well as viewers who were begging for more. Bringing his videomaking experience to the table, Jon played a strong hand in creating a dance hub for for all of YouTube to enjoy and for agents and artists to find new talent.

    Jon also gives us an insider’s take on Justin Bieber’s major Internet prank that led to the hyped release of his “Beauty and a Beat” video, ft. Nicki Minaj. “He started to plant these things about his tapes being stolen,” Jon says of how the stunt was designed. “Justin pranks me all the time. He takes over my Twitter feed.”

    Proficient at multitasking, Jon is also directing GI Joe: Retaliation,” which is set for a March 29, 2013 release. He reveals that he pitched himself to the producers — who were skeptical about how his knowledge of dance would translate to this film — by showing action sequences from the DS2DIO series LXD, which features dancing superheroes.

    “Really, doing these web videos,” Jon says, “which seem so counterintuitive to making a big blockbuster movie, helped me get the job for ‘GI Joe.’ It’s all full circle.”

    Subscribe to DS2DIO on YouTube and follow Jon on Twitter!

    Check out co-host Ethan Newberry on YouTube and follow him on Twitter!

    For all of your YouTube exclusives and interviews with today’s hottest celebrities innovating online, subscribe to What’s Trending and join us LIVE every weekday at noon pt/3 pm est on YouTube.

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