Writer Behind Rise of Skywalker, Kong and Jurassic World Trilogy Hired for GI Joe Transformers Movie
Friday, June 14th, 2024 10:52AM CDT
Category: Movie NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 75,450
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Say what you want about those movies, but it seems Derek knows how to write a billion dollar movie. We'll see if his winning streak continues with this Transformers Gi Joe movie.

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Posted by Brokebot on June 14th, 2024 @ 12:38pm CDT
Posted by william-james88 on June 14th, 2024 @ 1:56pm CDT
Brokebot wrote:This is not good news. This is one of the idiots that brought us attacking Star Destroyers on horseback and "Somehow, Palpatine returned."
to be fair:
1. that film still made over a billion dollars, which is something that hasnt happened in a TF film in 10 years
2. he didn't write the somehow palpatine line. While they kept the story he developped, the whole film was rewritten after his original script.
Posted by Silver Wind on June 14th, 2024 @ 2:06pm CDT
Posted by Brokebot on June 14th, 2024 @ 3:25pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Brokebot wrote:This is not good news. This is one of the idiots that brought us attacking Star Destroyers on horseback and "Somehow, Palpatine returned."
to be fair:
1. that film still made over a billion dollars, which is something that hasnt happened in a TF film in 10 years
2. he didn't write the somehow palpatine line. While they kept the story he developped, the whole film was rewritten after his original script.
1. Fine. A fleet of Star Destroyers constructed UNDERGROUND that have to crash their way to the surface, and then don't know which way is up once they're in the air. Admittedly, that bit of cinematic dipshittery has Jar Jar Abrams stink all over it, but I digress.
2. It made a billion dollars based on its brand name, not it's quality. If it were a generic sci fi movie stripped of it's Star Wars connections but with the same basic script, it probably wouldn't have made its production money back.
It was also a different time. If you wanted to see a movie -- ANY movie, you went to the theater. Even mediocre movies had a decent shot of breaking even or turning a profit. Now, three weeks after its release it'll be on a streaming service, so why bother? I honestly don't see enough of a demand to make a GI Joe/Transformers crossover movie profitable. The last two Transformers efforts were hardly blockbusters, and none of the GI Joe movies exactly shattered expectations.
Remain optimistic all you like. As for me, I haven't seen anything floating in the sewage flowing out of Hollywood that would give me any reason to believe a forthcoming movie will be anything more than the disjointed nonsense that came before it.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on June 14th, 2024 @ 4:51pm CDT
As for the TF/Joe crossover, hopefully they keep stephen caple jr. FAR from the director's chair. That way it might still have a chance, even with a mediocre writer attached.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on June 14th, 2024 @ 5:10pm CDT
So I 'll keep an open mind.
Posted by Slashercon on June 14th, 2024 @ 7:46pm CDT
Posted by Spider5800 on June 14th, 2024 @ 10:31pm CDT
Detective Pikachu and Kong: Skull Island were pretty good.
So no idea how to feel about this. I assume multiple writers were involved on all of these movies, so it's hard to gauge if this is good or bad.
Posted by Blastback on June 15th, 2024 @ 12:40am CDT
Spider5800 wrote:Rise of Skywalker and the Jurassic World movies were garbage.
Detective Pikachu and Kong: Skull Island were pretty good.
So no idea how to feel about this. I assume multiple writers were involved on all of these movies, so it's hard to gauge if this is good or bad.
Pretty much my stance. Not an optimistic sign in my opinion, but we'll see what happens
Posted by blackeyedprime on June 15th, 2024 @ 11:29am CDT
Posted by Quantum Surge on June 15th, 2024 @ 4:00pm CDT
Posted by noctorro on June 30th, 2024 @ 4:48am CDT
But this is absolute bad news.
Detective Pikachu was a joke. All of the Jurassic World movies were garbage storywise, 0.0 creative thought and military combat raptor... TRASH guys, expect more from a big budget movie. Go watch Godzilla Minus One.
Rise of Skywalker, holy hell gusy, average? Mid? It was terrible! Absolute garbage. It looked pretty, it made some cash on the last few 40 year old guys who had 1 crumble of hope left. But it was garbage. I am all the Jedi, a freaking measurement tool to pinpoint the location of McMuffin number 5 but only when the damn ship crashed on a planet... Guys, Killing Chewy only for 3 minutes in, he was on a different ship.
This guy is the worst, he is horrible and should never be hired again for anything above 1000 dollars.
Rise of the Beasts was a 4-5 out of 10. It was mid, again McMuffin hunting and bland as hell (watch filmento's review). So the bar is set low yet again. Not Last Knight low, that was just an insult.
I have zero f+k all hope on this movie. The whole theater cringed with the post credit scene about GI Joe. The Joe movies themselves are okay for popcorn fun but could be way, way better.
I have some hope for Transformers One.
And that High Moon Studios somehow comes back from the dead like Palpatine.
Posted by TulioDude on July 2nd, 2024 @ 10:21pm CDT
-Rise of Skywalker: didn't like this one, but to be fair, its problem is bigger than the script. The trilogy had a lack of sinergy between the films.
-Jurassic World: Saw the first, only saw the ending of the second and saw the third. Overall goood, but they seen to depend on the callbacks to previous movies. Some of them are pretty cleaver. Some of the world building is cool. The new characters are hit or miss.
- Kong of The Skull Island: didn't see
-Detective Pikachu: a simple, but very well exectued story.
So he seens to be a writer capable of using callback to previous films, but their effectiveness depends on the main story.
I think he, the directorc and other parts of the movie, have a vision that can unite and usee their strong points, this can be a good movie.
Posted by snavej on July 5th, 2024 @ 7:00am CDT
Posted by -Kanrabat- on July 5th, 2024 @ 7:09am CDT
snavej wrote:Well, I'm reluctant to see this film or films. The Transformers are vastly superior. Any suggestion that GI Joe or Cobra have a realistic chance against them is ludicrous.
Like in the comics, they would be WITH them.
But even if the Joes and cobra would be 100% against the Transformers, if we go by the first 5 Bay movie rules, these human armies will be able to stand their ground against the bots pretty easily. Especially if they are not taken by surprise.
That's why in the Bayverse, being a robot in disguise is a must. And I really, really love that aspect of the Bayverse. This makes for much more interesting movies and it up the stakes for the principles of being hidden in plain sight.
Of course, the bots shouldn't be weaklings, but they shouldn't be gods either. A bot showing in town and making an unstoppable rampage is possible, but when the 6 stars wanted status take effect and the army come with their heavy weaponry, it should be game over for that bot unless it flee.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on July 6th, 2024 @ 9:24pm CDT
Posted by TulioDude on July 7th, 2024 @ 12:10pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:It will never happen, but I would LOVE to see a straight adaptation of G.I. Joe #138 to #142, which is the prequel to the G2 comics, and could be a prequel in the new TF/Joe live action series as well. It would be a very good way to introduce Megatron into this "new" continuity, and he wouldn't have to be a gun.
I could see Cobra wanting to take Megatron from Hoover Dam being the event that attracts the Joes and the Autobots attention.
Posted by william-james88 on July 30th, 2024 @ 8:59am CDT
You can read the full answers to the questions below, but here are the main takeaways:
- They have yet to find a key to make the movie work due to there being a lot of characters in such a crossover
- The film is still in its creative phase, they are still working on what story it could be
- Hemsworth is unsure about his role in that movie at this point, he even jokes about being both Optimus Prime and a GI Joe character, talking to himself
- Bonaventura admits that characterization of the Transformers characters is poorer in live action films than animated projects due to the cost of special effects, meaning less focus and dialogue on the Transformers characters
- They would like to make another solo GI Joe film
Di Bonaventura on where they are at with the Transformers GI Joe movie:
We are definitely in the process of figuring out how to integrate G.I. Joe and Transformers. We’re in the creative process. We really have not discovered the key to that yet because one of the difficulties with it is there are so many characters that you feel you have to service, and when you do that, you never really deliver any good characters. So the trick here is to figure out how do you combine these two worlds with the least number of people or robots? That’s where it’s a big trick that we’re trying to figure out. So, we’re working with that.
Chris Hemsworth on his inclusion in the planned Live Action Movie.
“I don’t know yet,” Hemsworth admitted. “I keep getting asked about that. [Producer] Lorenzo [di Bonaventura] had brought it up when I was recording this film … and we started talking about where the universe could expand and how fun it could be. And look, I’m just down for great filmmakers, great scripts, great stories. There’s a lot of potential in this universe, in both the G.I. Joe world and the Transformers world, to recreate, try something different.”
***
“We’ve had an early conversations about it, and about what the world has to offer, and I think there’s some really fun opportunities to expand the universe. Nothing official yet, it’s been in early creative discussions. But who knows? We’ll see. I love this experience. I loved working with Lorenzo Bonaventura and Paramount, I worked with Paramount years ago. But Lorenzo I’ve known for a lot of years and he’s just such a great creative partner.
[It would be] really fun to give something to audiences that’s a new take and something fresh. I’m not even sure [who I would play]. I was like, “Am I going to be, like, talking to myself? Am I still going to play Optimus Prime and then switch over to G.I. Joe? Do I get paid twice? What’s happening here?” That’s the important question.”
Di Bonaventura on standalone G.I. Joe movies:
We do intend to bring back G.I. Joe, a standalone. We’ve created a complication for ourselves because we just did the [Transformers: One] animated movie, and to our wonder and to our real happiness, because there are no human characters in the animated movie, the characters of the robots are so much more sophisticated around it. They cost too much in live-action, so we’re always trying to figure out how few words we can get from that, whereas, the animation is all the same. So, we’ve set a third problem for ourselves here, which is now the audience would be disappointed if we return to the same level of characterization we’ve had up to now.
Source is Entertainment Weekly: https://ew.com/chris-hemsworth-clarifie ... 24-8684201
Posted by TulioDude on July 30th, 2024 @ 10:17am CDT
Posted by ashe5k on July 30th, 2024 @ 12:21pm CDT
Posted by Bumblevivisector on July 30th, 2024 @ 12:40pm CDT
Hmmmmmmm...
Scarlett Johansson as Marissa Faireborn?
Somehow strikes me as a bit more plausible after the big MCU announcement at SDCC.
Posted by william-james88 on July 30th, 2024 @ 1:50pm CDT
Bumblevivisector wrote:"The Key to Make the Transformers GI Joe Crossover Movie Work"
Hmmmmmmm...
Scarlett Johansson as Marissa Faireborn?
Somehow strikes me as a bit more plausible after the big MCU announcement at SDCC.
I was thinking Scarlett as Scarlett
Posted by william-james88 on July 30th, 2024 @ 4:07pm CDT
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 it was 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.
Posted by Bounti76 on July 30th, 2024 @ 4:38pm CDT
Posted by DeathReviews on July 30th, 2024 @ 4:52pm CDT
Posted by cloudballoon on July 30th, 2024 @ 6:01pm CDT
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?
Posted by Rodimus Prime on July 31st, 2024 @ 1:21am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 31st, 2024 @ 6:29am CDT
Posted by SkyFire Prime on July 31st, 2024 @ 11:37am CDT
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.
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.


Posted by TulioDude on July 31st, 2024 @ 1:31pm CDT
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.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on July 31st, 2024 @ 3:35pm CDT
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.
Posted by noctorro on August 1st, 2024 @ 12:52am CDT
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.
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.
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.
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.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on August 3rd, 2024 @ 11:12pm CDT
Didn't even spell the insult correctly. Should be Lorenzoholio.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.
Posted by Shadowtag on August 6th, 2024 @ 2:57pm CDT
Posted by voxone on August 17th, 2024 @ 5:34am CDT
Posted by william-james88 on September 16th, 2024 @ 2:21pm CDT
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.
Posted by SkyFire Prime on September 16th, 2024 @ 3:39pm CDT
Posted by SkyFire Prime on September 16th, 2024 @ 3:41pm CDT
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.
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!
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 17th, 2024 @ 1:51pm CDT
Something that would have a good balance between the campyness of Sunbow, and the more "serious" tones of the latest generations.
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?
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.
Posted by Silver Wind on September 18th, 2024 @ 3:19pm CDT