With Paramount Pictures serving as the cinematic home of two of Hasbro’s most iconic brands of the 1980s, fans have long speculated over the possibility of the studio bringing the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises together for a big event movie crossover featuring the two classic toy properties.
It’s something we’ve seen in the comics on numerous occasions (and often to memorable effect), and – according to Lorenzo di Bonaventura, long time producer on both movie franchises – it’s “inevitable” that we’ll see it at some point, despite reluctance on Paramount’s part.
“You know, the truth of matter is, the studio has always been against that,” said di Bonaventura in an interview with Uproxx ahead of last week’s release of Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. “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.”
Given the differing levels of success of both franchises – with Transformers peaking at over $1.1 billion for its highest-grossing entries before its fall from grace, and G.I. Joe topping out at $375 million for its second instalment G.I. Joe: Retaliation – it’s understandable why Paramount has been keen to keep the two apart, especially as the studio remains intent on relaunching both franchises.
That being said, the studio’s G.I. Joe reboot isn’t off to the best of starts with Snake Eyes earning just $17.4 million from its opening weekend, and if the recently announced Transformers: Rise of the Beasts doesn’t quite manage to push the Transformers franchise back towards its former financial glories then perhaps we’ll see Paramount pulling the trigger on a crossover?
“[It’s] funny, Steven Caple Jr., who’s directing Transformers right now, is a huge G.I. Joe fan, too,” teases di Bonaventura. “And he was like, ‘Why aren’t you doing that?’ Everyone was like, ‘Well, try to make a Transformers movie really good. Then we’ll talk about that.’ Maybe Steven will be the one to crack through because he loves them both so much.”
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins stars Henry Golding as Snake Eyes, a tenacious loner who is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage after saving the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach Snake Eyes the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing something he’s been longing for: a home. But, when secrets from his past are revealed, Snake Eyes’ honor and allegiance will be tested – even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins is directed by Robert Schwentke (R.I.P.D.) from a script by Evan Spiliotopoulos (Beauty and the Beast) and features a cast that includes Henry Golding (Last Christmas) as Snake Eyes, Andrew Koji (Warrior) as Storm Shadow, Iko Uwais (The Raid) as Hard Master, Úrsula Corberó (Money Heist) as The Baroness, Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) as Scarlett, Haruka Abe (Ideal) as Akiko, and Takehiro Hira (Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai) as Kenta.
