Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has taken the Transformers franchise in a new direction, introducing the Maximals and teasing a potential crossover with the G.I. Joes. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the producer behind the film, acknowledges that every movie is a gamble, and adding or subtracting elements from the franchise involves risks. The addition of the Maximals was a challenge due to the difficulty of merging animals with cars in an urban environment. The solution was to create a prequel-sequel set in Peru, which allowed for a fresh twist on the franchise.
While Bumblebee took center stage in the previous film, Rise of the Beasts shifts the focus to new characters and introduces the G.I. Joes in a post-credits scene. Di Bonaventura confirms that the G.I. Joe teaser is indeed a promise for a future crossover, though the script for that film has not yet been developed. He emphasizes that continuity is important to the Transformers series and notes that Rise of the Beasts takes place in 1994, giving a 13-year window for the Joes and Autobots to work together in secret before the events of the first Bay film.
Di Bonaventura believes that continuity, while important, shouldn’t limit creativity and the potential for great ideas. He compares his approach to Peter Jackson’s adaptation of the Lord of the Rings books, where tweaks were made for dramatic effect. He finds the evolution of Optimus Prime’s character and his emotional vulnerability in Rise of the Beasts exciting. The film pushes the boundaries of continuity, leading to a powerful scene where Optimus Prime is defeated by the villains but rises with anger and determination.
The crossover with G.I. Joe is a bold move, although it aligns with established comic book crossovers between the two franchises. While details are still being worked out, di Bonaventura clarifies that the G.I. Joes will be part of the Transformers world, rather than the other way around. He also suggests that classic Joe characters from films like Snake Eyes could make appearances in the crossover. However, he assures fans that Optimus Prime won’t be overpowered by the G.I. Joe characters, maintaining the balance of power in the cinematic universe.