Whatever Happened To That G.I. Joe Transformers Movie?

by

As a gamer with a heart full of nostalgia for the ’80s, I can’t help but feel like my childhood dreams are about to come true! The prospect of seeing G.I. Joe and Transformers unite on the big screen has been a dream since those Saturday morning cartoons, and now it seems Paramount is making it a reality.

Have you ever imagined seeing your cherished Transformers and G.I. Joe action figures collide in slow motion on your couch cushions? Well, it seems that Paramount is planning to bring this fantasy to life, even though it’s a more challenging task when combining one successful franchise with another that has faced difficulties at the box office. The Transformers saga started with the 2007 live-action movie, which led to six sequels, cumulatively generating $5 billion when you factor in both the original animated 1986 film and “Transformers One.” However, for another beloved Hasbro franchise that Paramount holds the rights to, success hasn’t come as easily.

Originating from the ’80s, G.I. Joe has been featured in three movies since 2009, accumulating a total box office revenue of $712 million. Despite being an American icon, its appeal didn’t seem to resonate greatly with the masses. In an unexpected move, Paramount Pictures and Hasbro hinted at a possible conflict between Duke and Cobra Commander, set in “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” against Optimus Prime and Megatron in a crossover. However, the progress of this potential blockbuster and its implications for both franchises is a topic of curiosity. To predict the future for G.I. Joe and Transformers, it’s essential to analyze their past developments to understand what might lie ahead.

G.I. Joe and the Transformers have had a long history

In the ’80s, I couldn’t get enough of G.I. Joe and Transformers on my Saturday morning TV. The idea of these two iconic franchises squaring off against each other in an official crossover seemed like a distant dream. However, small glimpses were given, such as Cobra Commander showing up as “Old Snake” in Transformers Season 3 in November 1986, subtly hinting at his past with the Joes. But it wasn’t until a four-issue comic series titled “G.I. Joe and the Transformers” hit the stands that these worlds truly collided. This initial encounter set the stage for many more thrilling confrontations in the years to follow.

Occasionally, the lines between good and evil blurred as the Transformers and the Joes or COBRA found themselves either teaming up or clashing in various gatherings. This happened 14 times in the comics, but it wasn’t until 2023 that a hint was dropped about a possible on-screen confrontation between them in a live-action adaptation. While this detail might have gone unnoticed by casual viewers, hardcore fans of both franchises reacted with sheer excitement upon seeing even a simple business card, eagerly anticipating the action-packed events to unfold.

How Transformers: Rise of the Beasts set up a G.I. Joe crossover for film

In “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” we don’t get the iconic moment of Samuel L. Jackson in Tony Stark’s living room, but it does set up an exciting prospect – the introduction of G.I. Joe into the Transformers universe. Towards the end of the movie, Noah (played by Anthony Ramos) receives an enticing job offer from a seemingly ordinary shipping company. However, Michael Kelly’s character, Agent Burke, hints that this company is not what it seems as he’s aware of recent happenings involving Unicron, Scourge, and Noah’s extraordinary companions, who are both mechanical and animal-like in nature.

Moving forward, an entrance revealed a place resembling a garage or command center, so impressive that even the Fast and Furious character Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) would envy it. However, there are no indications of transforming robots at this point. Yet, it hints at the possibility of Ramos’ character encountering them again, possibly with the Joes providing assistance this time. The location for their meeting remains unclear, given the complex nature of the Transformers timeline. This could also be the reason why the creators of the blockbuster film state that it won’t follow the usual pattern of a crossover extravaganza.

What’s the latest news on the G.I. Joe & Transformers movie?

Fans eager for Starscream and Snake Eyes to coexist can take comfort knowing their weekend fantasies will materialize at some point. In an interview with Screen Rant, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura hinted that the project might not follow a conventional big-screen crossover format, and careful thought is being put into crucial aspects to guarantee a perfect blend before portraying it in slow-motion destruction on screen.

Bonaventura clarified that he’s cautious about using the term “crossover” as it may confuse people with different interpretations. To him, it signifies the G.I. Joe characters will be part of the Transformers universe. He further discussed that every film is a delicate act of deciding how much of each element to include – humor, seriousness, and maintaining a balance. In this movie, he’s considering when to be funny, when to be serious, where to draw the line, and how to conceal the villain.

In terms of setting dates for when titans of steel will clash with lesser heroes destined to save the world, the producer remains tight-lipped about any specific release schedules. For now, we’re merely working towards achieving a harmonious balance in our production process. So, all that’s left is to stay tuned and find out when Autobots and Snake Eyes join forces, and action figures meet their dramatic, colliding fate.

Read More

2024-11-11 20:00