Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts!The future of the Transformers franchise looks completely different after Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending, as a final twist sets up much more than just another sequel. The seventh installment in Paramount's live-action Transformers franchise expands the world by having the Autobots come into with the Maximals, Terrorcons, and Unicron. The story revolves around the hunt for the Transwarp Key, which could be used for the Autobots to return to Cybertron or fuel Unicron's desire to eat planets.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is the second entry in the franchise's rebooted timeline, and the ability to break free of Michael Bay's Transformers canon means that the movie does not need to worry about contradictions or what else happened after its 1994 setting. The sequel builds to an ultimate showdown as the Autobots and Maximals work together to try and stop Scourge from using the Transwarp Key to bring Unicron to Earth. It was already known that Paramount had grand plans for the Transformers franchise, so Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending was always going to set up more — but the final twist is even bigger than expected.
Rise of the Beasts Confirms Transformers & G.I. Joe Crossover
A Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover is now confirmed to be part of the future plans, as Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending includes a shocking G.I. Joe reveal. After Noah (Anthony Ramos), Elena (Dominique Fishback), the Autobots, and the Maximals save Earth, Noah returns to New York and lines up more job interviews. This leads him to Slizza Imports, a cover for a secret organization, and an interview with Agent Burke (Michael Kelly), who knows all about Noah's recent world-saving adventures with the Transformers. Instead of connecting to Sector 7, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending reveals Burke works for G.I. Joe.
The twist ending sets up a Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover movie that could unite the two major Hasbro toylines together on the big screen for the first time. Burke wants Noah to come work with the G.I. Joes, building on his experience as a former soldier and recent heroics to save the world. G.I. Joe wants Noah to them in fighting a mysterious war, but they also want him to their ranks as a way to form an alliance with the Autobots. Noah does not officially accept or decline the offer to the Joes before the movie concludes.
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts ending G.I. Joe reveal could have massive implications for the future. This could mean that the G.I. Joe organization will have a bigger presence in Transformers 8. There is also the chance that Anthony Ramos will be part of the cast for a new G.I. Joe movie if Noah accepts a position with the team. Paramount has had dreams of bringing the Transformers and G.I. Joe together for a crossover, but the failed attempts to get a G.I. Joe franchise off the ground repeatedly stalled these hopes. Now, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending is used to help reboot the G.I. Joes once again.
Even though there is only a quick glimpse at the G.I. Joe organization in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, it is easy to surmise that this is an entirely different version of the team. Paramount's original G.I. Joe movie franchise starring Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson ended a decade ago, while Snake Eyes' bombed at the box office and killed the franchise before it could even really begin. Since Transformers: Rise of the Beasts takes place in 1994 (decades before any previous G.I. Joe movie), Noah's recruitment appears to be Paramount's latest attempt to reboot the IP.
Mirage Is Alive After Noah Rebuilds Him For Future Transformers Movies
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts post-credits scene is another important step for the franchise's future, as it confirms that Mirage is alive after Noah helps rebuild him. Pete Davidson's Autobot character is prominently featured in the movie and develops a close friendship with Noah throughout the adventure. Mirage is seemingly killed by Scourge in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending after he is shot multiple times protecting Noah. While the final battle does reveal that Mirage did not die, he is weakened to the point where he transforms into a suit that Noah can wear, and he does not fully reform afterward.
Since Noah and Mirage are positioned as the Transformers franchise's new human and Autobot leads, the contents of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' mid-credits scene is not too surprising. Noah works with his friend Reek to rebuild Mirage using scrap parts. While Reek thinks they should try to sell the car for scraps and that it will not even start, Mirage transforms back into his Autobot form to confirm that he does work again. This allows Noah and Mirage to return in a Transformers: Rise of the Beasts sequel. While Mirage might not look great right now, he will likely transform into a better car model for his next appearance.
Unicron Is Set Up As The Trilogy's Main Villain After Failed Earth Invasion
The Autobots and Maximals might save Earth in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending, but the movie still sets up Unicron as the main villain of the new trilogy. The planet-eating villain is sparingly used in the new entry, as Scourge leads the Terrorcons on behalf of Unicron to acquire the Transwarp Key. The Autobots and Maximals might have staved off his initial invasion of Earth, but the movie does confirm that Unicron is still alive despite this defeat. The powerful Transformers movie villain is still looming and growing hungrier, meaning this should not be the last time that he attempts to eat an Energon-rich planet like Earth.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Unicron fate means that he should return in other installments of the trilogy. After Scourge's death, Unicron could look for other being to do his bidding and receive the enhancements of his dark energy. This might be how the new Transformers trilogy brings Megatron/Galvatron into the mix before making Unicron the main villain of Transformers 9. For now, Unicron is stranded in another part of the universe away from Earth and in a place where he will need to regroup, develop a new plan after the Transwarp Key is destroyed, and ultimately attempt to get revenge on the Autobots and Maximals.
How Bumblebee Is Resurrected In Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
One of the sequel's big surprises comes when Bumblebee dies fighting Scourge early on, taking him out of the story for the majority of the runtime. It is not until Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending that Bumblebee returns after being resurrected, which surprisingly mostly takes place offscreen. Bumblebee is laid to rest by Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on a bed of pure Energon earlier in the movie. This proves to be the key to how Bumblebee is resurrected, as the Transwarp Key portal tower emits a blast that activates all nearby Energon. It appears that the collective energy is enough to restart Bumblebee's spark.
Why Optimus Prime Destroys The Transwarp Key & His Chance To Return To Cybertron
Another surprise comes when Optimus Prime destroys the Transwarp Key in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending. His entire motivation during the movie revolves around using the Key to open a portal for the Autobots to return to Cybertron after being stranded on Earth for seven years. The sacrifice of destroying his only chance to do so by breaking the Transwarp Key comes as part of his character development. He learns the value of protecting life from Unicron's threat at any cost from Optimus Primal. Saving Earth and humanity becomes more important to Optimus Prime than returning to Cybertron as a result.
How Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Sets Up A Sequel & The Hasbro Cinematic Universe
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts ending substantially sets up a sequel. Noah rebuilding Mirage means that they can return for Transformers 8, while Unicron is left as a threat the Autobots will need to defeat later on. Details on Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 2 are not yet confirmed, but the movie ends with the Autobots and Maximals united as the protectors of Earth. This leaves the current team lineup consisting of Optimus Prime, Optimus Primal, Bumblebee, Mirage, Arcee, Wheeljack, Cheetor, and Rhinox, while Noah and Elena could return to save the world again.
The bigger implication comes from Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending G.I. Joe reveal, which seemingly marks the start of the Hasbro Cinematic Universe. Paramount originally began developing ideas for a shared universe in 2015, but most of the movies reported to be in development have yet to transpire. Now that a Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover is set up for the future, there is room for other Hasbro properties to also potentially the universe. This includes Micronauts, M.A.S.K., Rom the Spaceknight, and more. What is not clear is if the G.I. Joes will play a bigger role in Transformers 8 or if the crossover will happen elsewhere.
What Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Ending Really Means
Amidst all the action and CG spectacle that comes with a Transformers movie, there is still a core theme that resonates throughout Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. The movie is all about the Autobots, the Maximals, and humanity coming together against a common threat, instead of each party acting in their own best interests. That is why the meaning of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' ending is unity and the need for people from different backgrounds to work together. If there is any real doubt about the message, the "Til all are one" saying as Optimus Prime, Optimus Primal, and Noah work together in the end makes it clear.
