In a movie landscape riddled with larger film universes and multi-film storylines, one huge classic crossover remains on the shelf: G.I. Joe/Transformers. Keen-eyed viewers caught the hint at this crossover in the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Does this mean that the crossover’s happening in the sequel to Beasts? Not quite. That doesn’t mean the crossover isn’t coming, it’s just going to be a slow burn.
In a recent interview with One Take News, producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura confirms the plans to make the crossover happen, eventually:
I don’t look at things like a universe, I look at them as a story and [the Joes] will be a part of the story. I also think the term “crossover” means different things for different people. For me, the Joes, whoever they are, are entering the world of Transformers, not combining the two worlds.
The plan is to eventually do [a crossover]. But, for the next movie, it’s the Joes that are coming in for whatever the ending of Rise of the Beasts has led us to believe is possible.
Oh, they will interact. We haven’t developed a script yet though. What I will say is just like we do with every other movie, it will be a team of Transformers and humans fighting the fight. The Joes will be a part of that.
Bonaventura went on to tell EW about his approach to incorporating the Joes:
“The idea of trying to do the whole Joe world at the same time is a little daunting. This is a way to bring them into our world, remind people of who they are, and they’ll have a role in the plot… we’re also not through with the Maximals, so I imagine in the next movie we’ll have Maximals, Autobots, and Joes.”
Rise of the Beasts director, Steven Caple Jr., also hints at the potential growth in a sequel:
“I think it’s really cool that there are other planets out there with Transformers. It’s one of the reasons why I introduced the Maximals that way in the beginning of our film. I was pulling from these Japanese cartoons where there’s Transformers on every other planet.
I just feel like we’ve been on Earth for a very long time. So there might be something interesting to explore there, maybe taking this war and battle somewhere else.”
Integrating the G.I. Joes into the Transformers universe rather than doing a full-blown crossover’s an interesting idea. It’s a delicate balance that very easily could go off the rails. This statement gives me a sense of relief that the writers know this is an integration that requires care, rather than spectacle.
The 80s child inside of me is squealing over the mere thought of this crossover happening. Rise of the Beasts nabbed $155.6 million domestically and $271.5 million at the worldwide box office. Beasts grabbed $427.1 million in total box office revenue.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hits Paramount+ tomorrow, and can be purchased on your favorite digital movie sites now!
