The potential crossover between ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts‘ and G.I. Joe faced a major hurdle that almost prevented it from happening: director Michael Bay’s approval. Despite not directing the latest Transformers installment, which was helmed by Steven Caple Jr. of Creed II fame, Bay remained involved as one of its executive producers. Having directed the first five highly successful Transformers movies, Bay’s opinion carried significant weight, despite the mixed critical reception they received.
In an interview with Variety, Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins revealed that the movie’s pivotal moment, where Noah Diaz (played by Anthony Ramos) is recruited by Agent Burke (portrayed by Michael Kelly) to join G.I. Joe, was on the verge of being blocked by Bay. Robbins had a vision of merging both the Transformers and G.I. Joe universes to create an expansive cinematic universe. However, this ambitious plan required the approval of Hasbro, the toy company that owned both iconic brands, as well as Bay and Steven Spielberg, who served as a producer.
Bay expressed reservations about the potential crossover, fearing that it might diminish the legacy of the Transformers films he directed. Robbins was determined to make the crossover happen and tirelessly pursued Bay’s approval. He persistently called Bay numerous times, refusing to let him off the hook. Finally, after much effort, Bay relented and agreed to sign off on the crossover, allowing the thrilling fusion of these beloved franchises to become a reality.
Transformers and G.I. Joe: The Birth of a Shared Universe
The conclusion of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ has marked a significant step towards the realization of a Transformers Cinematic Universe, a concept that has been in the works for quite some time. Paramount Pictures had hired Akiva Goldsman with the mission of constructing a shared universe within the Transformers franchise. This effort took an unexpected turn with Michael Bay’s ‘Transformers: The Last Knight,’ which introduced the idea that the Transformers had been present on Earth since ancient times, opening the door for various spinoff opportunities exploring both historical and modern storylines. However, due to the unfavorable response from both critics and audiences to ‘The Last Knight,’ Goldsman eventually departed from the writers’ room, prompting a reboot of the franchise a year later with Travis Knight’s ‘Bumblebee.’
‘Bumblebee’ was better received by both critics and fans compared to ‘The Last Knight,’ achieving modest commercial success despite facing tough competition during the busy Christmas moviegoing season, with movies like ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ ‘Aquaman,’ and ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ sharing screens. Following the positive reception of ‘Bumblebee,’ producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura confirmed that a crossover with G.I. Joe was in development in 2021. Now, with the release of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,’ the convergence of these two iconic Hasbro franchises has officially occurred, establishing a vast shared universe.
The future of the planned universe remains uncertain, as both ‘Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins’ and ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ received mixed responses from critics and experienced challenges at the box office. Despite these hurdles, Paramount seems committed to forging ahead with its ambitious plan, evidenced by the announcement of the first animated movie in the Transformers franchise, titled ‘Transformers: One,’ set to hit theaters in September 2024.
As the studio moves forward, the success of upcoming releases will likely play a crucial role in determining the fate of this shared universe concept. Fans and moviegoers will undoubtedly be eager to see how Paramount navigates the intermingling of these beloved franchises, hoping for a cohesive and captivating cinematic experience that celebrates the rich lore and characters of both Transformers and G.I. Joe.