(Left) Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers’. Photo: Paramount Pictures. (Center) Chris Hemsworth in ‘Spiderhead.’ Photo: Netflix. (Right) Ray Park as Snake Eyes in ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
- Chris Hemsworth is in talks for Paramount’s Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover.
- The storyline is unknown for now.
- The concept was set up at the end of last year’s ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’.
Its own future might still be up in the air as corporate suitors continue to circle, but Paramount is pressing on with exploring its big characters and concepts.
And, following a tease at the end of last year’s ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’, the studio now officially has a ‘Transformers’/‘G.I. Joe’ crossover in the works.
According to Deadline, the company has a star circling a lead role, as Chris Hemsworth is in talks to join the film. The actor is already involved with at least one side of this duo, since he’s the voice of Orion Pax –– the robot who will become Optimus Prime –– in this year’s animated ‘Transformers One’.
“Witness the origin.”
Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed… Read the Plot
What’s the story of the Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover?
(Left) ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ rolls out into theaters on June 9th. (Right) Ray Park, Rachel Nichols and Saïd Taghmaoui in ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Right now, Paramount has not released any plot details about how the two universes will connect. There is precedent in comic books and, as mentioned, the end of last year’s ‘Transformers’ outing dropped a big hint, as Anthony Ramos’ Noah Diaz, having helped the Autobots and Maximals save the Earth, is introduced to a mysterious man named Agent Burke, played by Michael Kelly, who gives him a business card bearing the Joes’ logo.
Here’s what ‘Transformers’ regular producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura told Variety about the plans:
“Noah goes from somebody who cannot get a job, to a guy who gets the greatest job ever. It really felt organic to put it in here because you could relate it to the story. It didn’t feel like we were being cynical and like, ‘Good news, we could just jam G.I. Joes in here.’ The fans want a lot of things; if we do it and we don’t figure it out well, they’re going to be disappointed. It took us a while to figure out the Maximals, and now we have the hint of how to begin the Joes story.”
For now, Hemsworth’s role is unknown. Nor do we know whether anyone from the previous ‘G.I. Joe’ movies will carry over to this one or whether this will mark a chance to reset the storyline.
Who is making the ‘Transformers’/‘G.I. Joe’ crossover?
Director Steven Caple Jr. on the set of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
While Steven Caple Jr. directed ‘Rise of the Beasts’ (and was one of the driving forces behind introducing the Joes to the onscreen ‘Transformers’ universe), no mention is made in the story about Hemsworth’s casting about who will direct or write the new movie.
All we know at this point is that di Bonaventura is back to produce alongside Mark Vahradian, Michael Bay, Tom DeSanto and Don Murphy. Steven Spielberg and Hasbro Entertainment will be executive producers.
Related Article: Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback Talk ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’
When will the ‘Transformers’/‘G.I. Joe’ crossover be in theaters?
There is no release information for the new movie yet. ‘Transformers One’, which also features the voices of Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry and Keegan-Michael Key, will be on screens on September 20th.
(L to R) Arcee and Wheeljack in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.