PRIME Evolution: The Future of Transformers and G.I. Joe Unites on the Big Screen

The cinematic universe is about to undergo the biggest makeover in movie history. That’s according to the latest chapter in the Transformers saga, whose creators are preparing to unveil ‘Transformers One’ when it arrives in cinemas this week. ‘The series is not evolving, to be honest,” said Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the maestro behind the franchise, in an interview about the movie.’ It’s transcending.’ And it’s true. The popular series, which continues to score box-office hits, is not just moving in a new direction. It’s leaping into a new form, combining live action with animation to tell its stories. Here are the prime revelations from Bonaventura’s interview and what it means for the future of movies.

PRIME Anticipation: The Animated Sequel

With Transformers One, this series crosses a threshold – it’s the first animated product in 40 years – and it has high-stakes expectations. It debuts this weekend with a strong projected box-office opening of about $30 million domestic. Di Bonaventura hints that a sequel is definitely possible. ‘This movie stands on its own in the mythology,’ he said, referring to its separation from events of the live action storyline. Transformers One is a foot in the water, a taste of what’s coming from Paramount, as it attempts to tell the Transformers universe in a variety of storytelling formats. This infusion of new stories would be welcome, because there’s a lot going on in the land of the Autobots.

PRIME Crossover: Transformers Meets G.I. Joe

One of the hottest nuggets of news is the confirmed crossover with G.I. Joe: ‘We’ve been talking about that ever since we announced it at CinemaCon, so it’s real,’ says Di Bonaventura. ‘That one’s very early on, but I hope that occurs between 2025 and 2026.’ Another seismic crossover. ‘The emotional story in Transformers One could stand-alone to a live-action market to be able to tell more story,’ Di Bonaventura notes.

PRIME Perspective: A Shift in Storytelling

In fact, one of the most fascinating things about ‘Transformers One’, was that it was the first Transformers film that never, not even for a second, had any human characters. So di Bonaventura said, ‘I want to do a story where we don’t have any humans and it’s just Optimus Prime and Megatron and how they became who they became.

PRIME Complexity: Balancing the Ensemble

Managing multiple characters is one of the big challenges of producing a franchise film, and di Bonaventura was candid about the effort required to keep the Joes, Transformers and humans all on an even keel. Getting the tone right and the balance of characters right will be very important to how people react to the crossover. Transformers fans as well as GI Joe fans will each want to like it.

PRIME Casting: Chris Hemsworth Joins the Fray

Updating the prime zeitgeist is the chatter that Chris Hemsworth has entered talks to star in the crossover – his third Transformers film, and second Transformers crossover. He, a prime addition by way of star power and dramatic credibility, is already supported in bringing gravitas to an ambitious crossover.

PRIME Reflections: "Transformers One" Review

While the exploits of ‘robots in disguise’ and ‘more than meets the eye’ may not be for everyone (some critics gave Transformers One a ‘rotten’ grade), the film does have something – even for those who have never heard of an Autobot before. It’s a deeply felt story about friendship, and the performances of the actors, especially Brian Tyree Henry, are praised forces for elevating this epic. But, as the critics add, Transformers could stand to be a little bit more transformed.

Understanding PRIME

At the centre of these developments is ‘prime’ – a term that conveys superiority, the best quality, and centrality of importance. ‘Prime’ is apt in The Transformers (2007– ), referring to the character of Optimus Prime, an exemplar of leadership, courage, and moral propriety. The same is true of the prime projects and prime partnerships coming up right here, right now, where they promise multiple dimensions of story and character. In anticipation of these prime projects and prime partnerships, we look forward to the Transformers series reaching new heights in cinematic entertainment – characterised by prime experiences that we can see, hear, and feel.