Explosive Revelations: How OG Director Michael Bay Almost Derailed Transformers 7's GI Joe Crossover

Summary

Paramount Pictures had harbored a longstanding desire to establish a Transformers Cinematic Universe, and the culmination of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts ultimately paves the way for this aspiration.

Despite recent disappointments in both critical acclaim and box office success for the franchises, Paramount is determined to move forward with their plans for a cinematic universe. One of the upcoming projects in this universe is an animated Transformers film.

While the crossover between Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and G.I. Joe was initially uncertain, it ultimately required director Michael Bay's approval. Although Bay did not direct the latest Transformers film, which was helmed by Steven Caple Jr. of Creed II, he still remains involved as one of its executive producers. Bay has directed the first five films in the Transformers series, which have been extremely successful financially despite receiving mixed reviews from critics.

In an interview with Variety, Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins revealed that the pivotal moment in the movie, where Noah Diaz (played by Anthony Ramos) is recruited by Agent Burke (played by Michael Kelly) to join G.I. Joe, almost faced opposition from director Michael Bay. Robbins had plans to merge both franchises into a cinematic universe, but this required approval from Hasbro (the toy company that owns both brands), Bay, and producer Steven Spielberg. However, Bay was initially worried that this reveal would diminish the value of the Transformers movies he had directed. After persistent efforts, Robbins managed to get Bay on board after numerous phone calls.

Paramount Has Wanted to Do A Transformers Cinematic Universe for a Long Time

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts marked a surprising turning point in the development of a Transformers Cinematic Universe. The idea to create a shared universe within the Transformers franchise had long been in the works, with the hiring of Akiva Goldsman by Paramount. A crucial shift occurred in Bay's Transformers: The Last Knight, which retroactively integrated the Transformers into Earth's history, giving way to numerous spinoffs exploring different timeframes. However, due to the negative reception and underwhelming commercial performance of The Last Knight, Goldsman eventually departed from the project. A year later, the franchise rebooted itself under the direction of Travis Knight with the release of Bumblebee.

Bumblebee received a more positive response compared to The Last Knight and achieved modest success at the box office, despite the stiff competition from other holiday releases such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Aquaman, and Mary Poppins Returns. In 2021, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura confirmed that there were plans for a crossover between Transformers and G.I. Joe. With the arrival of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, these two major Hasbro franchises have officially merged to form one expansive shared universe.

It is unclear if Paramount will continue with its plan, as Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and Rise of the Beasts did not perform well critically or commercially. Nevertheless, the studio is determined to move forward with its cinematic universe and is set to release the first animated movie in the Transformers franchise, titled Transformers: One, in theaters in September 2024. As Paramount remains steadfast in pursuing this universe, viewers can now watch the unexpected ending of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts on Paramount+.