Key Takeaways:
– Henry Golding hints at possible “grand plans” for a follow-up to G.I. Joe’s Snake Eyes.
– Paramount may consider a streaming series if a theatrical film release isn’t plausible.
– A possible crossover teaser with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts suggests further integration in the franchise.
With the hit of the 2007’s Transformers, Hasbro looked forward to reaping similar success from another beloved pop culture property: G.I. Joe. Yet, G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra didn’t perform as expected at the box office. It surprisingly adopted a style closer to the Michael Bay-directed film, rather than a pure military combat setting that resonated with the franchise’s colorful characters.
Paramount’s Response to Rising Expectations
Regardless, the sequel, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, met audience expectations. Thanks to Dwayne Johnson’s star appeal, it was commercially more successful. The hope rallied into 2021 with the release of Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, a prequel focused on the franchise’s much-loved character.
Henry Golding, who sprung to fame after Crazy Rich Asians, played the role of Snake Eyes, the iconic silent ninja soldier. Unfortunately, the movie launched amid the peak of the pandemic, totaling just over $40 million in box office earnings.
Golding Gives a Glimmer of Hope
However, Golding recently indicated potential developments for the franchise in an interview with ComicBook.com. “I mean, Lorenzo di Bonaventura is a busy man and a phenomenal producer, and it’s in safe hands,” he said, reassuring fans of a befitting future for the franchise. He hinted that whatever is to come would be a mix of what’s come before and what lies in the future, revealing that “Paramount has some grand, grand plans.”
Streaming Content: A Possibility
Since the release of Snake Eyes, Paramount Plus has given the studio the ability to stream original content. This suggests that there may be a shift in strategy, switching from theatrical film releases to a series or streaming original, should the need arise.
A Crossover on the Horizon?
Additionally, an easter egg teaser at the end of the recent Transformers: Rise of the Beasts sparked speculation. The film featured its main character undergoing an interview for a secret organization, later revealed to be the Joes. Steven Caple Jr., the director of the film, clarified the direction the movie was taking and how the process resulted in a deeper integration.
While the studio was on board with the Joes since inception, he pointed out that it took some time to amalgamate all parties. This might suggest a closer tie-up between the two franchises is on the horizon.
In conclusion, regardless of the course the G.I. Joe franchise takes, Henry Golding’s assurance of “grand plans” and Paramount’s capacity to produce original content offers a promising prognosis for the franchise. Meanwhile, loyal fans eagerly anticipate what’s to come, invigorated by the hinted crossover with Transformers.
