While they both started out as toy brands, the Transformers and G.I. Joe properties have enjoyed popularity over the decades in comics, TV shows and movies. As far as that last category goes, since Paramount Pictures is the studio behind the Transformers and G.I. Joe film franchises, there’s a world where they could come together in one gigantic Hasbro crossover. So what’s the possibility of this actually occurring? Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the main producer behind the Transformers and G.I. Joe movies, believes it’s an inevitability.
These film series are experiencing relaunching of sorts, with Snake Eyes bringing G.I. Joe back to the cinematic realm and next year’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts picking up where Bumblebee left off. When Lorenzo di Bonaventura was asked by Uproxx when these two properties would finally cross over, he answered:
You know, the truth of matter is, the studio has always been against that. Every regime that’s been at Paramount is against it because it’s taking two franchises and making them one, but I think it’s inevitable.
So according to Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Paramount isn’t keen on the Transformers and G.I. Joe sharing the big screen together, evidently thinking that mashing these two franchises would be too much. Which is interesting, because almost a decade ago, during the release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation, di Bonaventura revealed that the studio was interested in delivering a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover. It even got to a point where Paramount was interested in creating a cinematic universe, with Transformers and G.I. Joe being joined by the likes of Micronauts, Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light, M.A.S.K. and Rom.
However, earlier this year, Lorenzo di Bonaventura confirmed that the cinematic universe plans had been scrapped, and now it sounds like we shouldn’t even except a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover anytime soon. But as the producer sees it, it’s only a matter of time until those in charge at Paramount come around and decide that it’s time for these franchises to collide in what would surely be one of the most explosive blockbusters ever. Let’s be real, you can find a more organic way to have the worlds of Transformers and G.I. Joe merge than putting Jurassic World and Fast & Furious together.
For now though, Transformers and G.I. Joe will remain separate. Following an eight-year absence, the G.I. Joe film series is back with Snake Eyes, a prequel/reboot depicting the origins of the title character. Along with Henry Golding playing Snake Eyes, the movie’s other main cast members include Andrew Koji as Storm Shadow, Úrsula Corberó as Baroness, Samara Weaving as Scarlett and Iko Uwais as Hard Master. As for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, it’s bringing in the Beast Wars mythology for a tale set in 1994. Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback star as Noah and Elena, respectively, and along with Peter Cullen reprising Optimus Prime, Ron Perlman will voice Optimus Primal.
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates concerning both the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises, and keep track of movies slated for the near future with our 2021 release schedule and 2022 release schedule.
