Practically every tentpole film seems to be based on an existing product in some way or another nowadays, no matter whether that product is popular or not. Thus, Paramount has announced release dates for four separate films to be based on Hasbro properties, which would have been an insane sentence to write about a film company twenty years ago.
The first film is a third film in the G.I. Joe series, which will hit cinemas March 27, 2020. Paramount already released two films based on the toyline, 2009’s G.I. Joe: Rise Of The Cobra, which inexplicably starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Channing Tatum, and 2013’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation, which brought in action stalwarts Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis.
For all the eye-rolling we do at films being based on a toyline, the two G.I. Joe films have grossed a combined $678 million at the global office, so Paramount is just following the money, so to speak. The third G.I. Joe is currently the only film scheduled for that date.
Seven months later, on October 16, 2020, Paramount will release Micronauts, which the studio is reportedly trying to merge with G.I. Joe to create the dreaded interconnected universe. The studio put together a writers room last year that included a number of Marvel veterans, which points to the model they want this universe to replicate.
The studio has also set a date for the adaptation of beloved table-top game Dungeons & Dragons for July 23, 2021. There was an ill-fated adaptation back in 2000 that starred Jeremy Irons, and since then the property has been involved in protracted legal battles that now hopefully seem to be over. Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver) is in talks to star.
Finally, there’s an untitled Hasbro film scheduled for release on October 1, 2021. The new set of films comes as a result of a new deal between Paramount and Hasbro to produce and distribute films based on Hasbro properties. The deal deepened the relationship, which was already strong thanks to the release of five Transformers films.
“Paramount has been a valuable partner of Hasbro’s for more than a decade, and we’re looking forward to taking our relationship to the next level”, said Brian Goldner, Chairman and CEO of Hasbro. Want to get a headstart on the upcoming blockbusters? Head down to your local toy store.
#Peace.Love.Hasbro
