Though Transformers One is rolling out in theatres this weekend and opens up a new animated series of films, Paramount and longtime Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura are still intent on continuing the live-action series. The next film, which was teased at the end of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, is expected to be a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover, but it has been something difficult to bring to screen according to Bonaventura.
Transformers and G.I. Joe have regularly crossed over since Marvel owned the comic rights to the franchises in the 1980s. The two franchises shared universes in IDW’s continuity and are currently merged in Skybound’s Energon Universe with Megatron’s stasis-locked body being experimented on by Cobra Commander. Hasbro has even made collaboration toys of various Autobots and Decepticons transforming into Joe vehicles and paired with a Joe or Cobra character.
In an interview with Collider, Bonaventura opened up about the development process going into the crossover, which is something many fans have wanted to see on the big screen for years. Part of the difficulty for Bonaventura, though, is the sheer scope of such a crossover with the vast amount of characters in both franchises.
“It is a process of finding a story and then adjusting the story,” he said. “Then it’s not working and why isn’t it working and all the things that go through this process. But to me, the crossover terminology makes me nervous because to me, when somebody says that, it sounds like it’s supposed to be 50/50 or something. That’s just me, maybe I’m wrong. I think if we try to do 50/50, it’s going to feel imbalanced.”
Bonaventura continued by saying “I’m not quite sure how to get around that, but there will be a lot of Joe activity, a lot of Transformer activity, and a lot of human activity. Maybe it’ll be a third, a third, a third. I don’t know. It won’t be that naturally find itself that way.”
What would you like to see in a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover? Do you agree with Bonaventura that it seems like a difficult task? Let us know on our social channels at @flickeringmyth…
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.