Transformers and GI Joe: A Crossover Nobody Needs

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Towards the climax of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” I found myself face-to-face with Agent Burke (Michael Kelly), who disguised a job interview as something far more significant. Unveiling his true identity, Burke was part of a clandestine organization that would now safeguard my family. Intrigued by the events unfolding with the Transformers in Peru, he shared valuable insights about our encounters. As our conversation drew to a close, he slipped me a business card and disclosed his affiliation with G.I. Joe.

After that exciting revelation, it’s been great to see two of my favorite Hasbro/Paramount franchises, Transformers and G.I. Joe, joining forces in their live-action adaptations. A screenwriter has been brought on board for this potential epic crossover movie, and there were even whispers that Chris Hemsworth might lead the cast. However, despite Paramount and Hasbro’s enthusiasm for this project, I personally don’t think the world needs a Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover film just yet.

Transformers Movies Don’t Need More Humans

In seven different live-action Transformers films, a common complaint that has persisted is the emphasis on human characters over the robots. Despite the Autobots and Decepticons being the main characters of this series, it’s often the humans like Noah Diaz, high school students, or inventors from Texas who take center stage. The human storylines tend to overshadow the robots and their unique drama. Introducing a large-scale crossover with G.I. Joe would likely worsen this issue by adding even more human characters to the ongoing saga.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the groundbreaking success of Transformers One, proving beyond doubt that these robotic titans are more than capable of carrying a feature-length film. Why settle for dull human characters when you can have Optimus Prime and Megatron? The idea of a Transformers-G.I. Joe crossover seems like a regressive move on the silver screen following Transformers One. For G.I. Joe fans, it’s hard to imagine characters like Duke or Snake Eyes getting their due spotlight in a script that already has such an extensive cast.

As a dedicated movie critic, I find myself reflecting on the unique worlds of Transformers and G.I. Joe, both iconic creations under the Hasbro umbrella that captivated audiences during the ’80s. However, merging these universes for an entertaining spectacle seems unlikely to resonate with either fan base. The rarity of crossovers between these two realms in various media, such as comic book series and television, speaks volumes about the challenge this would pose. In fact, there’s no precedent for such a crossover in the realm of animated TV shows. The intricacies and depth required to balance these narratives would be best suited for the expansive, character-rich landscape of comic books, where characters have ample time to develop. In the high-speed, action-packed world of feature films, attempting this crossover might result in a chaotic, self-imploding storyline.

The Time Has Passed For G.I. Joe & Transformers

Considering a commercial standpoint, this collaboration seems unlikely to generate much excitement nowadays. Back in 2011, with the Transformers dominating the box office and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra garnering decent numbers, such a crossover appeared inevitable. However, over a decade later, interest has dwindled significantly. Both Rise of the Beasts and Transformers One underperformed at the global box office. Conversely, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins flopped at the box office in 2021. It’s uncertain if merging these narratives into a single movie adventure would ignite much enthusiasm, given that this fusion would likely introduce a new interpretation of the G.I. Joe mythology. This combination might come across as a hasty, money-grabbing move rather than a harmonious blending of cherished universes. If there’s little desire to watch Transformers on the big screen now, it’s questionable if adding G.I. Joes would make much impact.

In the future, it’s possible that a filmmaker may develop an unmissable concept for a joint appearance of Optimus Prime and Duke on the silver screen (take a look at the ongoing Image Comics series for inspiration). Those who were skeptical about this crossover might eventually find themselves eating their words. At present, however, the thought of a Transformers/G.I. Joe collaboration seems like an ill-conceived idea for cinema. It’s particularly unappealing given that it could exacerbate the ongoing human-related issues that have been problematic in standalone Transformers films. There are indeed methods to enhance movies about these shape-shifting robots, but a meeting with Snake Eyes is not one of them.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is now streaming on Prime Video and Paramount+.

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2025-06-02 22:42