[Editor’s Note: The following article contains spoilers for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]
The recent release of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has sparked numerous discussions about its unexpected G.I. Joe cameo. Although no prominent G.I. Joe character was featured, this cameo hints at the future intertwining of the two franchises. But what led to this decision? Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura sheds light on the matter in an interview with FilmSweep’s Steven Weintraub. He explains why they opted for that specific cameo and offers intriguing teases about potential Transformers and G.I. Joe crossovers.
Following Michael Bay’s directorial reign over five Transformers movies, the franchise received a soft reboot with 2018’s Bumblebee, rewriting the narrative of the Autobots’ arrival on Earth. Now, five years later, Rise of the Beasts aims to kickstart a new trilogy by introducing Maximals and the villainous Unicron (voiced by Colman Domingo) into the mix. di Bonaventura, who has been involved since the 2007 debut of Transformers, reveals that discussions about merging the G.I. Joe characters into the Transformers cinematic universe have been ongoing. However, the creative team struggled to find an organic justification for bringing the two groups together—until the inclusion of Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos), a fresh human character created for Rise of the Beasts. di Bonaventura explains:
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“We’ve discussed it for quite some time, and the passionate response from the fans has been fantastic. It makes you want to pursue it further. Yet, we never stumbled upon a genuinely organic way to accomplish it. We wanted to avoid a cynical approach where it feels forced, just to cater to a larger fan base. So, when we crafted Anthony’s story—Noah’s story—it became evident that G.I. Joe would be the breakthrough he needed. It felt completely natural.”
Image via Paramount Pictures
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While the G.I. Joe agency is now part of the Transformers cinematic universe, di Bonaventura cautions fans against expecting an immediate massive crossover event. Instead, he intends to gradually introduce G.I. Joe characters into the Transformers franchise, allowing audiences time to become acquainted with them. The producer explains:
“A full-fledged crossover between the two worlds might prove challenging because it requires an extensive amount of storytelling. I’m personally not a fan of excessively long tentpole movies, spanning two-and-a-half to three hours. We want to tell a concise story. When you watch this movie, you’ll realize that certain characters—like Bumblebee and Optimus—are essential. So, in my opinion, we must further explore the Maximals, as we’ve only scratched the surface. Then, we’ll introduce a few Joe characters, creating a cohesive group. As for their mission or the threat they face, we haven’t decided yet. But one thing is certain: introducing too many characters prevents proper character development. We won’t overwhelm the narrative with numerous Maximals, G.I. Joes, or Autobots. We aim to keep the group relatively tight.”
How Many G.I. Joe Characters Will Show Up in the Next Transformers Movie?
Considering the intention to refrain from utilizing the entire G.I. Joe agency, fans wonder how many characters di Bonaventura plans to incorporate into the Rise of the Beasts sequel. Will it be limited to one G.I. Joe hero at a time? According to di Bonaventura:
“It’s hard to say for certain, but it wouldn’t exceed that number. Perhaps more than one, but definitely three or fewer. We don’t know yet! Ultimately, [director] Steven [Caple Jr.] will have a significant say in the selection. We both believe that if we include characters, we must provide ample space for the audience to connect with them.”
While featuring two or three G.I. Joe members would undoubtedly solidify the connection between America’s esteemed heroes and the enigmatic robots, the question remains—which operatives will be introduced first into the Transformers cinematic universe? After all, with a vast array of remarkable G.I. Joe characters to choose from, di Bonaventura confesses that he has yet to finalize the decision. When asked about his preferred G.I. Joe partner for the Autobots, the producer reveals:
“It’s an intriguing question because there are possibilities to explore—should we introduce a new Duke or another…? Although some characters we’ve previously depicted could undoubtedly exist in this world. I don’t have a personal favorite. However, Snake Eyes remains my favorite Joe. So, perhaps Snake Eyes will seamlessly find a place here. Time will tell.”
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is currently showing in theaters. Don’t miss FilmSweep’s interview with director Steven Caple Jr. below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Transformers: Rise of Beasts, G.I. Joe cameo, crossovers
What is the significance of the G.I. Joe cameo in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?
The G.I. Joe cameo in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a hint at the future intertwining of the two franchises and the potential for crossovers. It represents the first step in incorporating G.I. Joe characters into the Transformers cinematic universe.
How did the producers decide to include the G.I. Joe cameo?
The decision to include the G.I. Joe cameo was based on finding an organic and meaningful way to introduce the characters. The inclusion of a new human character, Noah Diaz, provided a natural opportunity to bring in the G.I. Joe element, adding depth and relevance to the story.
Will there be a full crossover between Transformers and G.I. Joe?
While the inclusion of G.I. Joe in Transformers indicates a connection between the two franchises, a full-fledged crossover is not expected in the immediate future. The producers intend to gradually introduce G.I. Joe characters to allow the audience to familiarize themselves with them before exploring larger crossover events.
How many G.I. Joe characters will appear in future Transformers movies?
The exact number of G.I. Joe characters in future Transformers movies is not yet determined. However, the producers have mentioned the possibility of featuring more than one but no more than three characters at a time to maintain a cohesive and focused narrative.
Which G.I. Joe characters are likely to join the Transformers cinematic universe?
The specific G.I. Joe characters to be incorporated into the Transformers cinematic universe have not been confirmed. However, the producers have mentioned that characters like Snake Eyes could organically fit into the storyline. The selection of characters will be based on their relevance and potential for seamless integration.
Will there be an overwhelming number of characters in future Transformers movies?
No, the producers aim to avoid an excess of characters to ensure proper character development and audience connection. They plan to keep the group relatively tight, focusing on key Transformers, Maximals, and G.I. Joe characters to maintain a coherent and engaging narrative.
