Michael Kelly gives an uncertain answer to the future of Transformers franchise following your GI Joe crossover tease in the final moments of Rise of the Beasts. The 2023 sequel saw the Autobots face two new Cybertronian factions locked in combat over an artifact that could bring them home or bring devastating destruction to Earth. Kelly played Agent Burke in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts‘ ending, who makes his first appearance in the film’s final moments to recruit Anthony Ramos’ Noah into the organization after his fight against Unicron and the Predacons.
Although a year has passed since the public was teased with a new song from Transformers universe, Kelly revealed the People what the future of the franchise may not be guaranteed. The actor revealed that although his sequel was a last-minute addition to the reshoots, he was told he might be asked to reprise his role in the future:
They filmed the film, then did reshoots and added what would be a post-credits [scene]. One of those little pop-up things. And then they say, ‘No, let’s make that the end of the movie.’ I was like, ‘Really?!’ So even that happened after we filmed it. It was presented to me as a post-credits thing that, if we move forward, we would like your character to make that world.
Despite this, Kelly claimed to have heard nothing since, leaving him to wonder if he had been removed from both franchises, or if any future Transformers and GI Joe crossover would go ahead. However, the actor is eager to return and is pleased with the role he played in expanding the franchise. Check out the rest of what he said below:
That being said, I haven’t heard anything since. So maybe they didn’t like what I did, or they’re not doing it, or I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything yet. I hope so. Because I would love to. I mean, again, this goes [back to me] as a kid – being the guy in charge, even though in a way they could move on, even without me, it’s like I was able to present the intersection of those two worlds.
Box office numbers could disrupt plans
When looking at Kelly’s Burke, the character was largely undefined despite the intended impact of his role in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ end. “Burke” was established as a disguise, but the real G.I. Joe member behind the figure was intentionally kept largely normal, without any trademark qualities of any established role. While this may leave the character open to being any character future writers might want, it unfortunately leaves it so that “Burke” can be a supporting character, meaning that despite the implications of her appearance, Kelly may not play a role. important in the future.
Furthermore, although Derek Conolly was recruited to write the next Transformers installment, Rise of the Beasts and the recently released Transformers One underperformed at the box office, despite both receiving generally favorable reviews from audiences and the latter receiving critical praise. As such, the issue may not lie with Kelly, despite his concerns, and instead be the studio is cautious about how to move forward and reinvigorate both franchises.
Our thoughts on Kelly’s Transformers and G.I. Status update
The crossover will have to overcome several obstacles
Introducing the world of GI Joe to the world of Transformers is not an easy task despite any configuration Rise of the Beasts may have established. Even though the franchise’s recent releases have been an undeniable success, The Joes have had previous difficulties making the jump to live actionmeaning any future would have to overcome any preconceptions of the series a viewer might have.
As such, while Kelly may be raring to go, it’s undeniable that the franchise’s past and the box office performance of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Transformers One may have made creatives and studio heads wary. While more time could leave plenty of opportunity for creatives to do their best work, it could also hurt any hopes of Kelly’s return.
Source: People