Jon M. Chu Teases Return to ‘G.I. Joe’ Movie Franchise

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As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for directorial talent and a soft spot for nostalgic franchises, I find myself intrigued by the prospect of the upcoming G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover movie. Jon M. Chu, who’s currently immersed in the magical world of Wicked, has shown a knack for breathing new life into beloved properties like Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights. His past work on the G.I. Joe franchise, particularly Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, suggests that he could be the perfect director to weave these two iconic universes together seamlessly.

Jon M. Chu has built a reputation for himself through critically acclaimed films such as Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, and is currently at the forefront of one of the most eagerly awaited movies in 2024 – Wicked. However, before he reached this level of success, he started his directing career with movies like Step Up 2: The Streets, Jem and the Holograms, and notably others. Interestingly, the G.I. Joe franchise has faced challenges since the 2013 film, as the prequel/spin-off/reboot Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins failed at the box office in 2021. Now it appears that Hasbro and Paramount aim to revive the franchise by associating it with Transformers.

It was proposed to director Chu if he would consider taking up another G.I Joe movie project. However, due to his ongoing commitments with Wicked and its sequel, Wicked – Part Two (scheduled for release in November 2025), Chu mentioned that his schedule is fully booked at the moment. Despite this, there’s a glimmer of hope he might return, even suggesting his Crazy Rich Asian co-star, Henry Golding, who later played Snake Eyes in the series. In his own words:

Currently, I find myself immersed in the GI Joe universe, specifically enamored with Snake Eyes. I must admit, Henry Golding did an exceptional job portraying him. As for the future, it’s uncertain, but for now, my focus is on movie number two, and within this world, my character is similar to Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey in Wicked.

It appears that director Chu is a strong contender for the upcoming crossover film of G.I. Joe and Transformers, given his past involvement with the G.I. Joe franchise. However, due to his current high demand, Paramount Pictures might find it challenging to hold off on the project. The sequel to “Wicked,” currently in post-production, is keeping him busy, and its scheduled release in 2025 indicates that he may not be able to dedicate significant time to the G.I. Joe film until late 2025 at the earliest.

What The Future Holds for G.I. Joe

From 2007 onwards, there have been eight Transformers movies compared to three for G.I. Joe at the cinema. While G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and G.I. Joe: Retaliation were box office successes, they didn’t quite capture the cultural moment like the Transformers films did, and Paramount Pictures struggled to keep the sequels moving forward. Even with a decline in box office performance for the Transformers movies, they still outshine the G.I. Joe films. For instance, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts surpassed both The Rise of Cobra and Retaliation in domestic and global box office earnings. The first Transformers film, considered a letdown, even outgrossed the entire domestic run of Snake Eyes within a week. Combining the two franchises on the big screen could potentially rejuvenate both series.

As a dedicated fan, I can confidently say that securing Chu for our upcoming G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover movie would be a tremendous stroke of luck. Though he’s left the possibility open, it seems unlikely he’ll revisit the franchise in the near future. Derek Connolly, who penned all three Jurassic World films, is currently working on the script for this exciting project. No release date has been announced yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a 2026 debut, which would be three years after Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hits theaters. However, that’s just speculation at this point. With Chris Hemsworth rumored to star in the film, the hunt is on for the talented individual who can seamlessly blend these two legendary franchises.

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2024-11-14 04:04