Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura

Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 4:18PM CDT

Categories: Movie News, People News
Posted by: william-james88 Views: 73,115

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This story is about to open a can of worms. As was reported, Steven Caple Jr was interested in continuing his story after directing Rise of the Beasts, getting ready for the GI Joe crossover film. However, when the project was announced at Cinemacon, only Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Steven Spielberg were were confirmed as attached with the project, with Di Bonaventura now being the principle producer of the film.

So where was Caple Jr? Well, it turns out that he left the project and is now going to direct I Am Legend 2. Now, not only do we have the confirmation of his departure (along with Di Bonaventura's confirmation of their current aimlessness), we also have the reason as to why. It seems Caple Jr and Di Bonaventura got into some heated arguments. He left after a Di Bonaventura went on a power trip of sorts, telling Caple Jr that he should be grateful for being on this project. The article below also claims some racially tinged dialogue was said by Di Bonaventura though that has not been confirmed by either involved, and their representatives have since denied this, instead referring to the exchange as a "heated negotiation that went south."

Below are all the details from the InSneider:

That said, there’s another reason that Caple landed the I Am Legend 2 gig, and that’s because he was available after turning down the chance to direct the Transformers-G.I. Joe movie for Paramount. And why was he available?

I’m told by multiple sources it’s because he got into a heated argument with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and walked away from the project.

I’m not going to get into the specifics of what I heard, but suffice it to say, I’m told that some of DiBonaventura’s comments were interpreted as racially-tinged and that the old-school producer — di Bonaventura is 67 years old — suggested Caple should be more grateful for the opportunity to direct the big-budget crossover movie, which is slated to star Chris Hemsworth.

Both Caple and di Bonaventura are represented by CAA, which denied that any incident occurred, with one agency insider suggesting it was merely a heated negotiation that went south — nothing out of the ordinary in the cutthroat world of Hollywood.

I’m certainly not suggesting that di Bonaventura is racist or anything like that, but I think we’re all guilty of micro-aggressions and things like that from time to time. From what I’ve been told by several different parties, it certainly sounds like that’s what happened here… at the very least.

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Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182893)
Posted by Bounti76 on July 30th, 2024 @ 4:38pm CDT

I'm not at all surprised. Di Bonaventura needs to be taken as far away from the franchise as he can go.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182895)
Posted by DeathReviews on July 30th, 2024 @ 4:52pm CDT

I'm actually surprised stuff like this doesn't happen more often. Movie producers/directors tend to be even more egomaniacal than the super-villians they portray in their movies. It's inevitable that there will be head-butting and kerfuffles aplenty.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182898)
Posted by cloudballoon on July 30th, 2024 @ 6:01pm CDT

You'd never see me defending Di Bonaventura, but I honestly thought Caple Jr. was not the best choice for ROTB. It was too "Brooklyn, Baby!" focused for no good reasons, biting into too much TF lore/characters than he can chew ("I just want to see Unicron on screen!") and the whole Peru segment was such a waste (but the good thing was that the filming must've brought some good economic benefit to the region, so credits for that). Caple Jr. himself said he struggled mightily with the CG in post. It's just too "meh" with the only thing good about it are the good bot designs for me to collect in physical forms.

So I can imagine Di Bonaventura might rather subconsciously want to look for another director to handle the TFxJoe movie. Racist? Might be, but most likely not. Still, I'd be happy he'd shut up and Paramount just pass the projects on to another producer that knows & love the franchises to do a better job than him.

These things just happen so often in Hollywood, it's no big deal - nor a big lost to live-action TF franchise specifically - really?

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182903)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on July 31st, 2024 @ 1:21am CDT

Yeah, that's a good move. Caple Jr. shouldn't have directed RoTB, his focus and motivation wasn't beneficial for the Transformers characters. He's a mediocre director to begin with. Hopefully his replacement will have the best interests of the franchise(s) in mind, instead of what we got with RoTB.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182908)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 31st, 2024 @ 6:29am CDT

Realistically, they should just not do the GI Joe/TF movie.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182909)
Posted by SkyFire Prime on July 31st, 2024 @ 11:37am CDT

Lorenzeholio Strikes again!

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182910)
Posted by SkyFire Prime on July 31st, 2024 @ 11:38am CDT

Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah, that's a good move. Caple Jr. shouldn't have directed RoTB, his focus and motivation wasn't beneficial for the Transformers characters. He's a mediocre director to begin with. Hopefully his replacement will have the best interests of the franchise(s) in mind, instead of what we got with RoTB.

Hi Lorenzeholio, didn't know you had an account here.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182911)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on July 31st, 2024 @ 1:25pm CDT

SkyFire Prime wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah, that's a good move. Caple Jr. shouldn't have directed RoTB, his focus and motivation wasn't beneficial for the Transformers characters. He's a mediocre director to begin with. Hopefully his replacement will have the best interests of the franchise(s) in mind, instead of what we got with RoTB.

Hi Lorenzeholio, didn't know you had an account here.

Are you going to be alright? Do you need a safe space?

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182912)
Posted by TulioDude on July 31st, 2024 @ 1:31pm CDT

Until Steve or Lorenzo talk about this themselves, I'm taking this story with a grain of salt.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Realistically, they should just not do the GI Joe/TF movie.

That is also a choice. If the ideas are not coming together, they could drop it. Its not like they are obliged to make this crossover.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182916)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on July 31st, 2024 @ 3:35pm CDT

Imo, before they go nut with a TF-Joe movie, they should make a trilogy of pure GI Joe movies. And yes, reboot the whole thing. The previous movies were trash.

And if they do restart the series, please make the movies PG-13 at the very most. Please respect the classic designs. Have a few nods to the classic cartoon by not taking yourself too seriously.

Then, once the universe and characters are well established, THEN we could add Transformers to the mix.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182928)
Posted by noctorro on August 1st, 2024 @ 12:52am CDT

Agree with Rodimus. ROTB was mid, horribly average. The CGI was weak/bad, the story was something a kid can write. There was little tension, it was just forgettable.

Get a new director, a way better one and an actual writer.

Once someone drops the word racism there's a whole platoon of people eating it up. So tired of that.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182929)
Posted by Silver Wind on August 1st, 2024 @ 1:35am CDT

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Realistically, they should just not do the GI Joe/TF movie.

I'm inclined to agree. Both franchises have had a rather cursed history when it's come to crossovers between the two. If a G.I. Joe x Transformers movie crossover is desired so badly, there needs to be a status quo to work from first rather than straight out of the gate.

Dumping the Bayverse, and those responsible for it, in its entirety would do so much for establishing a better foundation to work with as well.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182931)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on August 1st, 2024 @ 4:40am CDT

noctorro wrote:Once someone drops the word racism there's a whole platoon of people eating it up. So tired of that.

It's a marketing strategy that is less and less effective as time pass. People are tired to get lectured to and they vote with their wallet. And so far, most movies and games that are using these tactics to do some buzz are crashing and burning.

Hollywood is a slow learner, but I think the message is finally getting across.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182979)
Posted by Cyber Bishop on August 3rd, 2024 @ 2:28pm CDT

Rodimus Prime wrote:
SkyFire Prime wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah, that's a good move. Caple Jr. shouldn't have directed RoTB, his focus and motivation wasn't beneficial for the Transformers characters. He's a mediocre director to begin with. Hopefully his replacement will have the best interests of the franchise(s) in mind, instead of what we got with RoTB.

Hi Lorenzeholio, didn't know you had an account here.
Are you going to be alright? Do you need a safe space?

LOL sounds like some internet asshole trying to be all edgy. Only safe space for the trolls is 6 feet under the ground.

Yes I said it and I meant it.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2182994)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on August 3rd, 2024 @ 11:12pm CDT

Cyber Bishop wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:
SkyFire Prime wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah, that's a good move. Caple Jr. shouldn't have directed RoTB, his focus and motivation wasn't beneficial for the Transformers characters. He's a mediocre director to begin with. Hopefully his replacement will have the best interests of the franchise(s) in mind, instead of what we got with RoTB.

Hi Lorenzeholio, didn't know you had an account here.
Are you going to be alright? Do you need a safe space?

LOL sounds like some internet asshole trying to be all edgy. Only safe space for the trolls is 6 feet under the ground.

Yes I said it and I meant it.

Didn't even spell the insult correctly. Should be Lorenzoholio.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2183093)
Posted by Shadowtag on August 6th, 2024 @ 2:57pm CDT

In at least the last ten to fifteen years I've yet to come across a single instance of DiBonaventura opening his mouth that didn't spark a huge headache. Every time he talks it ruins something. Every time.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2183380)
Posted by voxone on August 17th, 2024 @ 5:34am CDT

Now set to direct I Am Legend 2, Caple Jr.'s departure underscores the unpredictable nature of Hollywood, where even the most promising projects can take unexpected turns. For more details, see the "Passport bio page" of the ongoing drama.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184217)
Posted by william-james88 on September 16th, 2024 @ 2:21pm CDT

You can now put the Gi Joe X Transformers film in the development hell category. While it had some momentum with Chris Hemsworth joining the project and a writer attached, the departure of Caple Jr as director has brought the plans back to square one. We know this from a recent interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura who is spearheading this film's development.

This interview is from Screen rant who he said this to:

Live-action we are going to deliver a G.I. Joe crossover. I hesitate using the word crossover because I think people think different things about what that means. For me, what it means is the Joes are going to be in the Transformers world and be present. I think every movie is sort of a balancing act of "How much do you have this? And in this movie, how funny can we be? How serious? How do you cross that line? How do you hide the villain?" All those sort of balancing things that you're doing. We're still in the early process, in a way, of trying to figure out the balance.

Sounds like they only have the concept of a plan as of now. While this is more of a nothing burger story, what we can gather from this is that the film is nowhere close to being filmed as they don't even have any major plot details hashed out for it yet. So anyone looking forward to this film should be very very patient.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184218)
Posted by SkyFire Prime on September 16th, 2024 @ 3:39pm CDT

They can keep that one, whew

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184219)
Posted by SkyFire Prime on September 16th, 2024 @ 3:41pm CDT

Haha concept of a plan, been dying to use that line myself

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184226)
Posted by william-james88 on September 16th, 2024 @ 8:37pm CDT

SkyFire Prime wrote:Haha concept of a plan, been dying to use that line myself

Great minds think alike.

But yeah when I read that Di Bonaventura word salad, that line came to mind right away.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184229)
Posted by SkyFire Prime on September 17th, 2024 @ 5:15am CDT

william-james88 wrote:
SkyFire Prime wrote:Haha concept of a plan, been dying to use that line myself

Great minds think alike.

But yeah when I read that Di Bonaventura word salad, that line came to mind right away.

You did it again!

On another subject the TFOne Blokees look Great!

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184259)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 17th, 2024 @ 1:51pm CDT

Before thinking about making a X-Over movie, they should do ONE great pure Joe movie.
Something that would have a good balance between the campyness of Sunbow, and the more "serious" tones of the latest generations.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184281)
Posted by TulioDude on September 17th, 2024 @ 6:04pm CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:Before thinking about making a X-Over movie, they should do ONE great pure Joe movie.
Something that would have a good balance between the campyness of Sunbow, and the more "serious" tones of the latest generations.

What's is your opinion on the three current existing GI Joe live action films?

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184282)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 17th, 2024 @ 6:09pm CDT

TulioDude wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:Before thinking about making a X-Over movie, they should do ONE great pure Joe movie.
Something that would have a good balance between the campyness of Sunbow, and the more "serious" tones of the latest generations.

What's is your opinion on the three current existing GI Joe live action films?

Sad, sad garbage. They could have removed the Joe name and it would have been just nameless generic trash. That include Snake Eye.

Re: Caple Jr Won't Return for the Transformers X GI Joe Movie After Heated Arguments with Di Bonaventura (2184309)
Posted by Silver Wind on September 18th, 2024 @ 3:19pm CDT

Given the (mostly) cursed cross-over history between the two franchises, I am content with it being the film equivalent of vaporware. Especially if di Bonaventura and co. are anywhere near it.