Paramount and Hasbro Shared Cinematic Universe Writers Room: Brian K Vaughan, Nicole Perlman & More

I really don't like the trend right now that everything has to have a cinematic universe. I feel like this is the most unjustified one so far. It would have been fine if it was just Transformers and G.I. Joe but this just sound like its going to be a mess.

Not sure how i feel about this, not only is that list of people not aw inspiring but if they are going to try and merge all those series together its going to be a train wreck. Even if this just means hasbro has full control over everything thats not really great either, we all know hasbro will screw over the fans if it means making money. Guess we'll just have to see how this pans out.

Another MCU wannabe.

Here's hoping it'll be better than the DCEU. Of course, with 1 good TF film, 1 1/2 decent ones and 1 1/2 pieces of poo, they're already better than DC's track record of 1/2 a good movie.

Come at me, DC fanboys and girls!

Nem@ dcu have had two movies now

Railbomb wrote:I really don't like the trend right now that everything has to have a cinematic universe. I feel like this is the most unjustified one so far. It would have been fine if it was just Transformers and G.I. Joe but this just sound like its going to be a mess.

I agree. The very fact that DC and Hasbro are pushing forward into making all their movies connected somehow, destroys the uniqueness of the cinematic universe. When Marvel did it, it was unique and interesting, but since companies and studios are scared of losing creative ways to earn more revenue, they copy their competitiors, which is vanity, pointless, and downright unnecessary. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was a horrible clutter of messes and so will be Hasbro's potential, upcoming motion pictures. They are drinking the hard liquor before having a taste of the regular, if that makes sense.

'Cinematic Universe'?

... *Siiiiiiigh* ...okay. WHY. When Marvel did it, it was amazing, because THEY PLANNED EVERYTHING FROM THE START. You can't retcon everything and expect it to make sense!

Personally hoping for a Transformers/Visionaries crossover (think Marvel's TRANSFORMERS #42 altered for Prysmos instead of then-Neblon for how it would work)

Here's an official press release we received a few minutes ago from Hasbro regarding their shared cinematic universe:

PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND HASBRO TAP AWARD-WINNING GROUP OF WRITERS TO CREATE CROSS-PROPERTY FILM UNIVERSE

WRITERS ROOM LEAD BY OSCAR WINNER AKIVA GOLDSMAN WILL DEVELOP STORIES FOR HASBRO BRANDS G.I. JOE, MICRONAUTS, VISIONARIES, M.A.S.K. AND ROM

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 21, 2016) - Paramount Pictures and Hasbro, Inc. today unveiled its top talent writers room which will have responsibility for developing Hasbro's cross-property interconnected onscreen universe featuring the brands G.I. Joe, Micronauts, Visionaries, M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) and ROM. This group includes some of the most notable creative talent in Hollywood, including Academy Award Winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), who will have responsibility for overseeing the writers room on behalf of Hasbro and Paramount as well as serving as Executive Producer for all of the films. Joining Goldsman will be Lindsey Beer (Wizard of Oz, Kingkiller Chronicle), Pulitzer Prize Winner Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay), Cheo Coker (Luke Cage, Ray Donovan), Joe Robert Cole (Black Panther, People vs. OJ), Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel), Jeff Pinkner (Lost, The Dark Tower), Nicole Riegel (Soldier Girls), Geneva Robertson (Atlantis, Tomb Raider) and Brian K Vaughan (Under the Dome, Lost).

Allspark Pictures, Hasbro's film label, plans to produce films based on this cross-property universe, with Brian Goldner (Chairman, President and CEO, Hasbro) and Stephen Davis (Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Hasbro) serving as Producers, and Josh Feldman (Co-Head of Storytelling, Hasbro) as Co-Executive Producer. Hasbro will also deploy in the room an unprecedented team of its top artists and designers to assist Goldsman and the writers to visualize this all-new cinematic universe.

"Paramount and Hasbro have partnered on many successful films in the past, including the 'TRANSFORMERS' and 'G.I. JOE,' franchises," said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures. "Bringing together a writers room of this caliber is a bold step for our partnership, and one that we believe is critical for building these brands into new, successful franchises for the future."

"Together with Paramount, we have assembled a team of incredibly talented creative minds and storytellers to continue to help tell the rich history and narrative behind this interconnected cinematic universe, and we are thrilled to be working with Akiva Goldsman again to guide this process," said Brian Goldner. "We are also excited to partner with Paramount to produce the films, as we've had a strong and collaborative partnership since our first Transformers movie in 2007."

The Paramount and Hasbro partnership is responsible for the worldwide blockbuster success of the "TRANSFORMERS" franchise, which has earned $3.8 billion to-date, and whose films, directed by Michael Bay, are amongst the highest grossing movies of all time; and the "G.I. JOE" franchise, which have earned more than $675 million worldwide.


# # #

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.


ABOUT HASBRO

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and lifestyle licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The Company's Hasbro Studios and its film label, ALLSPARK PICTURES, create entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Another MCU wannabe.

Here's hoping it'll be better than the DCEU. Of course, with 1 good TF film, 1 1/2 decent ones and 1 1/2 pieces of poo, they're already better than DC's track record of 1/2 a good movie.

Come at me, DC fanboys and girls!

I am probably the biggest Batman fan on this site and I fully agree with you. I am surprised the DC fanboys arent more angry than they are, the way Zack Snyder handles those properties is far worse than Michael Bay. At least Michael Bay doesnt use as noticeable a colour filter.

william-james88 wrote:

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Another MCU wannabe.

Here's hoping it'll be better than the DCEU. Of course, with 1 good TF film, 1 1/2 decent ones and 1 1/2 pieces of poo, they're already better than DC's track record of 1/2 a good movie.

Come at me, DC fanboys and girls!

I am probably the biggest Batman fan on this site and I fully agree with you. I am surprised the DC fanboys arent more angry than they are, the way Zack Snyder handles those properties is far worse than Michael Bay. At least Michael Bay doesnt use as noticeable a colour filter.

Does making everything look teal and orange count?

Shuttershock wrote:
Does making everything look teal and orange count?

Hell yeah that counts. But I was referring more to how everything is tinted dark blue/grey in the DC live action movies. At least things arent too dark in the Bay films. The recent outings had the bots out in the daylight and the latest film had that gorgeous Utah scene where you could actually follow who was who and such as Optimus was rounding up his crew.

Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?

There is the universal monster universe that hasnt accomplished anything yet.

There is the DC film universe, same thing there.

The TF film universe that we have yet to see.

The Sony Siderman universe which I think has been cancelled (maybe)

And now the combined Hasbro universe.

Yeah, I think nobody but Marvel has been able to do it yet.

william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?

Star Wars?

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?

Star Wars?

Forgot that one. But it has yet to be seen though. Rogue One is coming out this year. The last attempt at a wide release spinoff was the Clone Wars movie and it didnt fare that well (the show did though).

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?

Star Wars?

Forgot that one. But it has yet to be seen though. Rogue One is coming out this year. The last attempt at a wide release spinoff was the Clone Wars movie and it didnt fare that well (the show did though).

Star Trek (pre-reboot movies) also kinda has one, though it's more of a television universe with theatrical movies and other media.

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?

Star Wars?

Forgot that one. But it has yet to be seen though. Rogue One is coming out this year. The last attempt at a wide release spinoff was the Clone Wars movie and it didnt fare that well (the show did though).

I don't think it's a fair question. Marvel laid the ground work. Someone has to come up with the reverse by doing a combined universe, and then spin-offs (which I guess is what Star Wars is doing, as well as Transformers). However, no one has proven had a chance to prove a successful formula like Marvel (though financially you could argue that DC has done or is doing it when you look at their box office numbers compared to early Marvel box office numbers).

Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially the amazing Netflix shows (specifically Jessica Jones)

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?

Star Wars?

Forgot that one. But it has yet to be seen though. Rogue One is coming out this year. The last attempt at a wide release spinoff was the Clone Wars movie and it didnt fare that well (the show did though).

Star Trek (pre-reboot movies) also kinda has one, though it's more of a television universe with theatrical movies and other media.

I was lookinga at things mainly post Marvel Cinematic Uiverse, where the whole trend took traction. Because or else, there is also Doctor Who and other things I am probably not thinking of.

william-james88 wrote:I was lookinga at things mainly post Marvel Cinematic Uiverse, where the whole trend took traction. Because or else, there is also Doctor Who and other things I am probably not thinking of.

I don't think we're into "post" Marvel Cinematic Universe. There's really only been 1 movie released outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that would qualify as trying to capitalize on what Marvel has done, which is Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice. I think we need at least a couple of movies to be released for each franchise before we can claim whether or not one has been a success or not.

ZeroWolf wrote:Nem@ dcu have had two movies now

Yes, I know. Batman V Superman was 1/2 good. The parts with Batfleck, surprisingly really good. The parts with Supermope...not so much.

And IMO Man of Steel sucks. So.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:Nem@ dcu have had two movies now

Yes, I know. Batman V Superman was 1/2 good. The parts with Batfleck, surprisingly really good. The parts with Supermope...not so much.

And IMO Man of Steel sucks. So.

Nothing to add, I just liked this post and it made me laugh.

Seibertron wrote:

william-james88 wrote:I was lookinga at things mainly post Marvel Cinematic Uiverse, where the whole trend took traction. Because or else, there is also Doctor Who and other things I am probably not thinking of.

I don't think we're into "post" Marvel Cinematic Universe. There's really only been 1 movie released outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that would qualify as trying to capitalize on what Marvel has done, which is Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice. I think we need at least a couple of movies to be released for each franchise before we can claim whether or not one has been a success or not.

That's not entirely true. 2014's Dracula Untold was meant to be the beginning of a new Universal Monsters Universe, and the same year's new Godzilla was the beginning of a Godzilla/King Kong shared universe, which continues in next year's Kong: Skull Island. Speaking of which, the classic Toho Godzilla movies qualify as a shared universe rather than just a bunch of sequels, because Mothra has appeared in her own movies outside of the big G's flicks.

Bringing this back to topic, though, I just don't think all these radically different franchises will mesh well in one universe, unless they reboot Transformers and GI Joe to make references to each other's events and future films all reference and explain each other's place. I don't see it as likely, and Hasbro would be better served just giving each franchise its own unconnected movie (if they absolutely must).