GI Joe Box Office Flop Delivers Explosive Criticism as Transformers 7 Reignites Franchise

Summary

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins was released in 2021 and was a major flop, grossing only $40 million worldwide and earning negative reviews from critics.

Andrew Koji, the actor who portrayed Storm Shadow, expresses dissatisfaction with the film due to its lack of integrity and originality. The inclusion of a G.I. Joe crossover towards the climax of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hints at an imminent revitalization for the previous franchise, bringing forth a fresh ensemble and innovative artistic contributors.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is set to reboot the G.I. Joe franchise, prompting Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins star Andrew Koji to reflect on his previous film and voice his criticism. Snake Eyes, directed by Robert Schwentke and serving as the third live-action installment in the G.I. Joe series, was released in 2021. Despite featuring Henry Golding as the lead and Koji as Tommy, aka Storm Shadow, the movie received negative reviews and was a commercial disappointment, grossing only $40 million worldwide.

In a recent interview with Inverse, Koji openly discusses his thoughts on Snake Eyes, attributing its failure to larger issues within Hollywood, such as a lack of originality and the excessive reliance on existing intellectual property (IP). In light of the unexpected G.I. Joe crossover in director Steven Caple Jr.'s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Koji's comments shed light on the challenges faced by the film industry.

After this, everything might go downhill for me. However, currently, my experience on Warrior motivates me to prioritize doing things with integrity. And let's be honest, G.I. Joe didn't really meet that standard, did it?

"Hollywood seems fixated on repeatedly retelling the same old stories. Firstly, they love making remakes. Secondly, everything has to be based on existing intellectual property. Thirdly, it's quite absurd because I can't help but wonder, where is the originality that people crave? What is happening here?"

What's Next For The G.I. Joe Franchise

Snake Eyes didn't perform well, as I had expected. It appears that a complete reboot is likely. Personally, I'm content with the outcome. However, I must say that I did appreciate the character of Storm Shadow, specifically Tommy. I managed to develop an affinity for him, and I believe there would have been tremendous potential for a captivating Storm Shadow film if it had been executed correctly.

Following the rescue of Earth from the destructive forces of Unicron, the conclusion of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts unveils an intriguing development. Anthony Ramos' character, Noah, makes an unexpected appearance at a rather unremarkable edifice for a job interview. As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that this seemingly mundane establishment serves as a mere façade for a grander endeavor. Michael Kelly's Agent Burke steps forward to reveal a clandestine G.I. Joe headquarters, extending an offer to Noah to join their ranks.

Noah's acceptance of the G.I. Joe job offer is not stated outright, but it can be inferred based on Burke's assurance of healthcare coverage for Kris. Given Snake Eyes' lack of success, it is probable that Koji's prediction about G.I. Joe's future is accurate. Therefore, it is highly likely that the upcoming crossover movie will feature a completely new ensemble of characters as the previous slate is cleared.

The first two live-action G.I. Joe movies had their moments of entertainment, but they fell short in several areas, receiving scores below 35% on Rotten Tomatoes. To rejuvenate the franchise, a new cast and creative team will take the reins, bringing in Transformers for higher stakes and more epic action. Although Koji's portrayal in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins was commendable, it seems unlikely that the actor will be concerned about not returning to the franchise.