Paramount Pictures Unites Transformers & Mission Impossible Franchises with Synchronized Releases

As is common with [major] film studios across Hollywood, the year has already seen releases of some of the year’s most anticipated features as well as run-of-the-mill, popcorn endeavours.

In particular, Paramount Pictures is at centre of this conversation as the studio is also home to some coveted IPs that can most definitely be found in the current pop culture discourse.

With the ones to be highlighted in this article being: The Transformers and The Mission Impossible franchises.

As to how they relate to each other beyond just the sheer spectacle they command, Paramount Pictures’ release pattern for entries within both franchises has recently given them an added kinship.

On June 9th, 2023 Paramount Pictures would release a 7th entry in The Transformers franchise.

However, this 7th entry has the clause of being [doubly] considered as the 2nd entry in-universe (at least for now).

Fast forward to a little over a month later, on July 12th. There’s a debut of the 7th Mission Impossible film, subtitled Dead Reckoning Pt. 1.

But it doesn’t stop there, as both franchises are currently set to release their 8th theatrical entries next year. In the form of Transformers: One & Dead Reckoning Pt. 2. Albeit, with a little swapping in their release schedule.

Even as far back as 2018, the Mission Impossible franchise would release its 6th installment in the form of Mission Impossible: Fallout. Whilst The Transformers franchise would begin its current ‘blast from the past’ approach following the release of Bumblebee towards the end of the year. Which canonically serves as the first entry in-universe but can otherwise be considered as the 6th entry [from a franchise perspective].

With both franchises being of different ages, how is that both franchises currently have the same number of entries let alone have the entries release in the same year. Well, it obviously boils down to fate, more than anything else. But also because the Mission Impossible franchise (being the older franchise of the two) would take a prolonged break before reinstating its cinematic presence.

Specifically, the franchise’s longest break can be recorded between its 2nd entry and 3rd entry which was a whopping 6 years (2000 – 2006).

This was partly both due to the fact that the franchise’s leading star, Tom Cruise would go on to star in other features from 2001 – 2005 as well as the directorial search for the franchise’s third entry being a chanced occurrence.

As for the Transformers franchise, the longest recorded break so far is between the 6th and the current 7th installment (2018 – 2023) — of which can be blamed on the earlier global pandemic. As the Bay-led movies (which still makes up a large part of the franchise), came in almost quick succession to each other.

However, differences abound as well in that the Mission Impossible films have been a progressive affair with the latest, ‘Dead Reckoning Pt. 1’ being an update on the adventures of Ethan Hunt and his crew.

With the upcoming Dead Reckoning Pt. 2 teased to close the story of Tom Cruise’s, Ethan Hunt which could either mean making way for the franchise to be reimagined once more, or serving as a definitive disbandment of the IMF (Impossible Missions Force).

On the other hand, the recent endeavour from everyone’s favourite ‘Robots in Disguise’ has been tagged as a prequel adventure preceding the Bay-led features. And with all signs pointing to the continuation of this trend, as the upcoming Transformers: One will dare to go back even further, canonically serving as the franchise’s first entry. Given the nature of what its story entails.

The road to building a franchise is never easy, let alone sustaining the franchise and while both have definitely been graced with highs and the pitfalls that are sure to be part of every franchises’ story/history.

It’s good to know that both seem to be thriving and at a pace unique to them. Even though such pace has resulted in them coinciding with each other.

For now, Rise of the Beasts is available for remote viewing and Dead Reckoning Pt. 1 is currently playing in cinemas.