Press Release: Paramount Pictures and Hasbro Unveil Top Talent Writers Room
Thursday, April 21st, 2016 3:23pm CDT
Categories: Movie Related News, Press Releases, Digital Media NewsPosted by: Seibertron Views: 23,970
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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.
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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).
Credit(s): Hasbro
This article was last modified on Tuesday, March 28th, 2017 12:10pm CDT
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Posted by william-james88 on April 21st, 2016 @ 4:05pm CDT
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.
Posted by Shuttershock on April 21st, 2016 @ 4:20pm CDT
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?

Posted by william-james88 on April 21st, 2016 @ 4:26pm CDT
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.
Posted by Sabrblade on April 21st, 2016 @ 4:55pm CDT
Star Wars?william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?
Posted by william-james88 on April 21st, 2016 @ 4:59pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Star Wars?william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?

Posted by Sabrblade on April 21st, 2016 @ 5:02pm CDT
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:Star Wars?william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?
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).
Posted by Seibertron on April 21st, 2016 @ 5:10pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Sabrblade wrote:Star Wars?william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?
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)

Posted by william-james88 on April 21st, 2016 @ 5:17pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote: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:Star Wars?william-james88 wrote:Here is a question, has anyone since Marvel been able to make a film universe?
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 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.
Posted by Seibertron on April 21st, 2016 @ 5:22pm CDT
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.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on April 21st, 2016 @ 9:41pm CDT
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.
Posted by william-james88 on April 21st, 2016 @ 9:46pm CDT
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.
Posted by King Kuuga on April 21st, 2016 @ 11:47pm CDT
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).
Posted by Seibertron on April 22nd, 2016 @ 12:13am CDT
That Bot wrote:Seibertron wrote: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.
I should have further clarified what I meant. Dawn of Justice is the only 2nd parter. Both examples you provided were the "first" in a franchise, meaning it's too early to judge how those particular Cinematic Universes are panning out. All of these franchises each need a few movies under their belt to properly compare their successes with each other and to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Posted by Bumblevivisector on April 22nd, 2016 @ 3:30am CDT
WHERE THE #@&% IS INHUMANOIDS?!?!?
Maybe it was just all the Hector Ramirez, but I think of that cartoon as the glue holding the old Sunbow universe together. Plenty of G.I.Joe references, and the title characters could duke it out with TFs if there'd ever been a full crossover. Is there evidence that the first Pretenders were created with that in mind? Skullgrin's shell strikes me as having a possible connection to D'Compose.
Speaking of whom, yes, there was an Inhumanoid whose signature power was creating zombies! Considering how huge zombies are right now, in both mature and children's fare, why the heck is Hasbro letting this franchise (which they still fully own, correct?) sit totally forgotten? Its city-smashing monsters would be good competition for the Kong-zillerverse someone mentioned, as well as Pacific Rim or any other American stab at kaiju, and would fit with the TF/Joe movies easier than any on this list, with one exception:
...M.A.S.K. That toyline was such a good fusion of TF and Joe elements that it's a shame Kenner was Hasbro's competition at the time; they could've made for a way better crossover than "G.I. Joe and the Transformers". In fact, RAAT designing transforming vehicles based on the Autobots they captured with Circuit Breaker's help would've made more sense than that attack vehicle they used against the Throttlebots later on. If AofE isn't the last the Bayniverse has seen of human organizations hunting down TFs, then illusion could be ultimate weapon this new think-tank has up its sleeve.
Posted by Va'al on December 19th, 2017 @ 3:26pm CST
According to entertainment online outlet Deadline, 2020 will see the arrival of the third instalment of the GI Joe series, after Rise of Cobra and Retaliation, and the first feature for Micronauts, with a third unnamed project for the following year. You can read the news in detail below, and join the discussion in the Energon Pub - what do you make of this potential, eventual converging and merging of the various franchises? Will you give the new movies a shot?
The long-awaited third G.I. Joe will march into multiplexes on March 27, 2020. Lorenzo di Bonaventura produced the last two movies G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra and G.I. Joe: Retaliation based off the Hasbro toyline/Marvel published Comic-Book which both grossed in total over $678M at the global box office.
The feature adaptation of late ’70s Mego/Takara toys spaceman line Micronauts will blast off on Oct. 16, 2020. The toyline was centered around robotic/human future men, and the playsets were elaborate with various easy-to-assemble parts.
Currently for 2020, both G.I. Joe and Micronauts are the only titles scheduled on their respective release dates.
Dungeons & Dragons will open on July 23, 2021. New Line made a go at a feature version of the popular 1970s/1980s role-playing game 17 years ago making only $33.8M. There was also a Saturday morning CBS animated TV series which ran for 27 episodes from 1983-1985. Currently, it’s the only title on the calendar on that date.
An untitled Hasbro film has also reserved Oct. 1, 2021 on the calendar. No other titles on that date.
Posted by Randomhero on December 19th, 2017 @ 4:20pm CST
Posted by Sabrblade on December 19th, 2017 @ 4:23pm CST
Didn't help that the first one also seemed to take some inspiration from the G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 series.Randomhero wrote:Hope it’s good! I wasn’t a a fan of the first one but I did enjoy the the second one just fine. You could tell the director was a fan and did what he could with it with trying to bring some faith to GI joe
Posted by dragons on December 19th, 2017 @ 8:44pm CST
Posted by -Kanrabat- on December 20th, 2017 @ 1:13am CST
Posted by YoungPrime on December 20th, 2017 @ 6:01am CST
Seriously! The last 2 years have resulted in flops to barely breaking even. Just look at Paramount's 2017:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/cha ... amount.htm
2016 they had about 3 successful films who's profits swallowed up thanks to 12 flops!
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/cha ... amount.htm
Then again this crap explains why the Transformers IDW-verse has been compromised with crappy crossovers in hopes of building up hype for these films. So at this rate I wouldn't mind Disney buying Hasbro, Paramount and IDW since they all wanna half@ss the MCU's methods anyway.