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- Connecting ‘G.I. Joe’ With ‘Transformers’ Is a Smart Move
- Create the Feeling of Interconnectivity and Embrace Long-Form Storytelling
- ‘G.I. Joe’ Should Aim for Older Audiences
- Hire Exciting Creative People to Reimagine ‘G.I. Joe’
As a child of the ’80s, I vividly remember the thrill of watching G.I. Joe on TV and playing with those iconic action figures. However, as a filmmaker who’s been around the block a few times, I can tell you that the time has come for this classic franchise to grow up.
In a major comeback, the iconic franchise, G.I. Joe, is making a splash, not on the big screen or toy shelves, but within the realm of comic books. On November 13, 2024, Skybound Entertainment’s Image Comic imprint debuted G.I. Joe #1. This series is set in a shared universe known as the Energon Universe, which includes Transformers and the original property, Void Rivals. The roots of G.I. Joe can be traced back to the early issues of the Transformers line that were published in 2023, with the company gradually setting the stage for G.I. Joe through miniseries featuring characters like Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett, and Destro from 2023 to 2024. For the first time in many years, the G.I. Joe brand has once again occupied a significant place in people’s thoughts.
The timing couldn’t be better, as Paramount Pictures is planning to breathe new life into the G.I. Joe franchise by merging it with the Transformers film series. This idea was hinted at in 2023’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and a crossover movie featuring Chris Hemsworth is currently under development. Although G.I. Joe is one of the most legendary toy lines ever made and its “Real American Hero” line of toys and TV shows were hugely popular in the 80s, the franchise has faced difficulties in the 21st century. The Energon Universe offers a solid roadmap for Paramount Pictures to revitalize G.I. Joe, and here’s how they can do it.
Connecting ‘G.I. Joe’ With ‘Transformers’ Is a Smart Move
The Energon Universe is titled so because it’s the energy source that keeps Transformers alive, known as Energon. Just like peanut butter and jelly, Transformers and G.I. Joe were a perfect match among Hasbro’s top toys from the 80s. However, their connection was largely overlooked in film adaptations until 2009, when both “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” hit theaters. Despite being released around the same time, these films were set in separate universes, a decision made before Marvel’s “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” hinted at shared universes on screen. Fast forward to 2023, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” subtly hinted at G.I. Joe’s involvement, paving the way for a potential crossover movie.
In the 2018 film “Bumblebee”, we find a compelling connection that ties the G.I. Joe Organization to the arrival of the Transformers on Earth. John Cena’s character, Jack Burns, was initially a U.S. Army Colonel before becoming an agent for Sector 7, first introduced in the 2007 film “Transformers”. After his departure from Sector 7 following “Bumblebee”, it is plausible that he took on a leadership role within the G.I. Joe organization.
In a possible scenario, G.I. Joe characters could spin off into their own franchise, yet continue making appearances as significant figures in Transformers movies. This change addresses a prevalent concern about the Transformers films, where human characters often lack the intrigue of the robots. By developing the G.I. Joe universe as the main focus, they can shift attention from popular Autobot robots to popular G.I. Joe members, whose deep histories and backstories can contribute to a more engaging narrative.
Create the Feeling of Interconnectivity and Embrace Long-Form Storytelling
A significant aspect of Skybound’s approach to G.I. Joe was modeling it after Marvel Studios’ strategy for The Avengers, creating anticipation for the unification of characters from both the G.I. Joe and COBRA factions, culminating in their confrontation. This approach was initially tested with Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, aiming to rejuvenate the G.I. Joe franchise through a collection of individual films leading to a team-up. Unfortunately, the underperformance at the box office of Snake Eyes seems to have led Paramount to abandon plans for a sequel and also shelve the proposed Lady Jaye television series they were developing on Prime Video.
They can also use their existing material to retroactively create a series of interconnected stories. There is no need to toss out a perfectly good Snake Eyes, so bring back Henry Golding as the titular character and Samara Weaving’s Scarlett for the Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover film alongside Hailee Steinfeld from Bumblebee and Anthony Ramos from Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. That allows Paramount Pictures to retroactively make a trilogy of films leading to the upcoming crossover.
It might be beneficial for Hasbro and Paramount to reconsider the idea of individual G.I. Joe projects, stemming from the upcoming crossover between G.I. Joe and Transformers. Characters originating from this film could then branch out into miniseries, paving the way for a standalone G.I. Joe movie. This method is similar to how The Penguin was utilized to link The Batman and The Batman – Part II. A compelling choice would be to focus on a solo movie or miniseries on Paramount+, delving into the origins of the terrorist organization COBRA. The storyline could uncover how COBRA gained power, introduce key members such as Cobra Commander and Destro, and offer insights into their roles within the organization.
It seems like the G.I. Joe brand might thrive more on a streaming TV series rather than a feature film, given the success of mature action series based on military personnel like Jack Reacher and Jack Ryan. With its rich soap opera elements such as romantic entanglements and secret relationships among both heroes and villains, a G.I. Joe series could be an exciting event for Paramount+. In fact, much like the X-Men, G.I. Joe shines when it acknowledges its soap opera roots combined with action, making it a perfect fit for television storytelling.
‘G.I. Joe’ Should Aim for Older Audiences
One aspect that sets the new Energon G.I. Joe comics apart is their focus on more complex storytelling for an older audience. It would be beneficial for Hasbro and Paramount to acknowledge that the primary audience for G.I. Joe is predominantly grown-ups, many of whom were children in the 1980s. Even Hasbro’s current toy line caters more to adult collectors than the traditional child market. Unlike Transformers, which has managed to keep its appeal across all age groups with each iteration, G.I. Joe is a more challenging franchise to promote due to its concept – a military group using real-world weapons to combat a terrorist organization, which can be quite complicated and potentially controversial for children.
In a refreshing departure from its previous iterations aimed at children, G.I. Joe is now reimagined as a mature and serious portrayal of a military unit combating terrorism. This transformation, which involves making the property grittier, might initially seem clichéd, but the distinct narrative of G.I. Joe warrants such an update. The revamped version will delve into the fantastical elements of G.I. Joe and COBRA to critically examine war, the military-industrial complex, and geopolitical conflicts. Unlike the animated series where characters couldn’t die, this adaptation leans into the inherent military storyline to heighten the tension for each character. The surprising moments in the G.I. Joe comics arise when seemingly invincible characters, who are essential for toy sales, meet their untimely end amidst a hail of gunfire.
Transforming the future G.I. Joe installment, whether it’s a movie or a streaming series, to cater more towards an older demographic seems like a logical progression for this franchise. We aren’t advocating for Paramount and Hasbro to produce an R-rated G.I. Joe film; however, a gritty war story similar to Zero Dark Thirty could certainly pique interest. Paramount might want to draw inspiration from Warner Bros.’ approach with The Dark Knight trilogy, where they prioritized creating quality films over producing movies primarily for toy sales. The Dark Knight was rated PG-13, and it still attracted a large audience that included children and teenagers. Hasbro may initially resist this idea due to their focus on toy sales, but it’s important to note that PG-13 or even R-rated content doesn’t impede merchandise sales. They’ve already produced toys based on Michael Bay’s Transformers films, which weren’t always child-friendly.
Hire Exciting Creative People to Reimagine ‘G.I. Joe’
The main takeaway from Paramount Pictures’ latest G.I. Joe revamp is the importance of assembling a creative team that isn’t afraid to bring fresh, daring ideas to the table for this franchise. What sets this new iteration of G.I. Joe apart is that it was developed by enthusiasts who appreciate the source material, yet aren’t content with merely replicating the original narratives scene for scene; instead, they aim to infuse their unique perspectives into it. The team behind the revamp, including writers Joshua Williams, Kelly Thompson, and Dan Watters, along with artists Tom Reilly, Andrea Milana, Marco Ferrari, and Andrei Bressan, have breathed new life into familiar G.I. Joe characters by daring to innovate and explore different character dynamics.
One innovative aspect of the latest comic book series lies in introducing Baroness, a well-known COBRA member, as an original member of G.I. Joe. This twist has left viewers excitedly speculating about when she might defect and under what circumstances, although it’s also possible that she could maintain her role as a wild card within the heroic team. Many filmmakers who grew up admiring the G.I. Joe franchise may find this an appealing opportunity to put their own spin on the material. Such a move might not be the conventional choice and would involve some risk, but it’s exactly this kind of fresh approach that the franchise needs at this time, as its current direction has not been successful.
Since creating a comic strip is less expensive than producing movies or TV shows, there’s more flexibility in the Energon Universe for exploration. This lower cost also means Paramount Pictures can experiment and gather feedback on fresh ideas for this classic content they’ve been trying to modernize for some time now, using the series as a kind of trial run or research project.
Skybound’s take on G.I. Joe manages to preserve the elements that fans adore about the brand while giving it a fresh spin for contemporary viewers, making it feel simultaneously timeless and up-to-date. Given its success, Paramount Pictures ought to carefully consider this comic series as it could be instrumental in launching their next blockbuster movie franchise. By the way, Snake Eyes, the latest live-action G.I. Joe film, is currently available for streaming on Netflix and Paramount+.
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2024-11-23 21:05