After stealing the spotlight with his memorable portrayal of a villain in the highly anticipated "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth has garnered some of the finest reviews of his illustrious career. Now, with eyes set on yet another blockbuster franchise, Hemsworth seems poised to take his acting prowess to the next level.
According to reports by Deadline, the star of the "Thor" and "Extraction" franchises is currently in negotiations to join the upcoming Paramount Pictures crossover film that merges the worlds of "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe."
This latest development marks a return to the "Transformers" universe for Hemsworth, who is already slated to star in Paramount's animated children's film "Transformers One." The movie, set to hit theaters in September 2024, has reportedly tested extremely well, though it appears to be geared more towards a younger Nickelodeon-aged audience.
While it remains unclear who Hemsworth will play in the live-action crossover film, it's highly unlikely that he'll be limited to voicing Optimus Prime, his role in "Transformers One." Casting Chris Hemsworth in a live-action film suggests a much more substantial role than just a voiceover.
Both "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" are iconic franchises spawned from Hasbro Toys and successful animated cartoons from the 1980s. These franchises have enjoyed immense popularity in pop culture, paving the way for numerous films and spin-offs. Crossover films combining the two franchises have been talked about for years, but it was only made a reality when the seeds for a team-up were teased at the end of Steven Caple Jr.'s "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," released last summer.
Caple, who had previously expressed interest in directing this untitled "G.I. Joe"/"Transformers" crossover, was the one who apparently suggested the idea in the post-credits tease for his "Rise of the Beasts" film. However, it's still uncertain if he or any other director is currently attached to the project.
Despite ongoing merger talks and speculation about whether Skydance or Sony/Apollo will acquire the studio, Paramount seems determined to press ahead with its extensive intellectual property offerings. The studio officially announced its "Transformers"/"G.I. Joe" crossover film at CinemaCon earlier this year, though a release date is still pending.
With Hemsworth's potential involvement, the upcoming crossover film promises to be an exciting addition to the already rich tapestry of both franchises. Fans can't wait to see how Hemsworth will bring his unique charm and acting prowess to this new chapter in the "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" universe.
