Children of the 1980s remember how cartoons became a regular after-school experience. We would race home, grab a packet of Pop Rocks and a can of Jolt cola, and sit in front of our TVs and cable boxes. One of the shows we always anticipated was Transformers. The other was G.I. Joe.

RELATED: Michel Fiffe’s Top Ten G.I. Joe Comics

Based on the Marvel Comics series, which was based on the Hasbro toy line, the original G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series ran from 1983-1986 and a 1987 direct-to-video release. When the live-action G.I. Joe movies started in 2009, fans of the 80s cartoon were both elated and disappointed their favorite characters were featured or forgotten. As the GIJCU (G.I. Joe Cinematic Universe) slowly chugs along, here are 10 characters we wish would have appeared in the live-action films.

10 Tomax and Xamot

The leaders of Cobra's Crimson Guard are the Lex Luthors of the G.I. Joe Universe. When garbed in their suits, they are CEOs of Extensive Enterprises. When in their matching white and blue tunics with red sashes, they work in the realm of corporate terrorism.

The identical twins are the perfect foils for a live-action movie. They're handsome, intelligent, and cover their criminal activities better than some other people in recent history. Plus, the pair is an updated version of Alexandre Dumas' Corsican Brothers. They even feel each other's pain like the 19th-century siblings. It would be a perfect use of modern CGI technology or 1960s-era camera tricks.

9 Mutt and Junkyard

Fans of war movies know that at least one character needs to be from either New York City -preferably da Bronx or Brooklyn, or New Joisey. They always seem to be the ones with enough street smarts to get out of any scuffle. This is why Iselin's very own Stanley Perlmutter, known to the other Joes as Mutt, should have been and needs to be in a live-action film

Mutt has more than the ability to scuffle with Cobra B.A.T.s and Guards. He can handle any animal. Not like B'wana Beast or Aquaman. Rather, he knows when to keep them calm and release them to tear the jugular out of an enemy. Plus, he understands that the proper way to pronounce water is 'wadder'.

8 Serpentor

Let's face it, Cobra Commander is a bit of a doofus. In fact, in a contest between him and Phineas & Ferb's Dr. Doofenshmirtz, the latter would be a better villain to knock G.I. Joe off its high horse. That's why Doctor Mindbender created Serpentor -- the Commander needed some guidance.

RELATED: Mainstream Marvels: 19 Pop Culture Icons We All Forget Appeared In Marvel Comics

Why this tactical genius and leader wasn't in the first two live-action G.I. Joe movies is a mystery. His pedigree featured the DNA of Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun, Geronimo, Napoleon, and the most ruthless of all, Mister Rogers. Plus, he can assume the facial features of those who have been chained into his DNA. Having Serpentor scream, "COBRA!" as Mister Rogers would have been chilling.

7 Lt. Falcon

Back to war movies. Everyone has a young, snot-nosed officer who thinks their human waste product does not produce an above-average aroma. Usually, he does something that puts another soldier in danger. When that happens, he turns a new leaf and becomes responsible.

That was Lieutenant Falcon in G.I. Joe: The Movie. His irresponsible behavior results in the Serpentor's breakout from the Joe's custody. In the end, his half-brother, Duke saves his butt and gets impaled by a flying snake (don't ask) in the process. In turn, Falcon learns the ways of the Force. This is a redemption plot that would work in any G.I. Joe movie.

6 Major Bludd

Cobra's Major Bludd should have been part of the first two G.I. Joe movies for one reason -- he is an important but forgotten field commander. His role was so important in the organization's domination plan that, obviously, he was placed way out in the field.

Perhaps Major Bludd can be part of a future G.I. Joe film where they introduce Cobra's secondary players. Bludd is a mercenary, so he's ready to work for anyone as long as the price is right. While he's devoted to Cobra Commander now, a few extra zeros on the final payment will make him friendlier to General Hawk. Plus, they can get a big-time Australian actor to play him. Maybe Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana, or one of the original Wiggles.

5 Gung-Ho

The highest-ranked non-comm in Joe's ranks was, apparently, USMC Sgt. Major Ettienne R. LaFitte, known to everyone else as Gung-Ho. He was a Marine's Marine -- a powerful leader and tactician who loved his mother and this country. Yes, as seen in a first-season episode of the original animated series, his mother definitely came first.

RELATED: 25 G.I. Joes Only Real Fans Remember

Though not seen as much in the cartoon, Gung-Ho was truly fearless. Plus, due to his constant training, it seemed like he had near-superhuman strength. Someone of his demeanor would have been a fine complement to the live-action movies. Frankly, a Gung-Ho film should be next on the slate of G.I. Joe solo profiles. Just don't pair him with Lt. Falcon. He's still sore about the injuries he incurred when the young guy released Serpentor.

4 Cobra-La

Behind every villainous organization, there's an even more heinous group pulling the strings. In G.I. Joe: The Movie, Cobra-La and its leader, Golobulus, were the puppet masters. In addition, they were the ones who subconsciously encouraged Dr. Mindbender to both create Serpentor and motivate him to go shirtless.

The last G.I. Joe movies were straightforward -- at least in a setting where something exploded every five minutes. The next one needs to have that Lovecraft feel. So, bring on Globby, Pythona, and Nemesis Enforcer. Furthermore, let Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansen, and Chris Hemsworth portray them, respectively. Frankly, after Avengers: Endgame, they don't have much to do.

3 Sgt. Slaughter

Why wasn't Sgt. Slaughter a veteran Marine Sergeant Major in G.I. Joe: Retaliation? They were getting beat up by both Cobra and federal government entities at the time. Emotions were frayed and, in turn, their performances in the field were sub-par. An appearance by the then 65-year-old former professional wrestler would have given the Joes a shot in the arm. In addition, it would have drawn more fans of the cartoon to the live-action film.

Slaughter was instrumental in the cartoon's third series and the movie. He overpowered former big dudes like Gung-Ho and Roadblock. He was The Rock before Dwayne Johnson stopped wearing his fanny pack. Let's get real: it's time for a Joe-inspired Sgt. Slaughter movie.

2 Zartan

Despite numerous attempts to conquer the world and exile the Kardashians to an isolated Pacific island, Cobra was a pretty progressive organization for its time. They didn't discriminate on gender, race, or income level. If you hated democracy but loved leaders with glass-plated face covers, they took you in.

RELATED: 15 Shadowy Secrets About Destro (Even Huge Fans Never Knew About)

Such was the case of Zartan. Though raised in a lower-class neighborhood in London, he was a highly talented chameleon and polyglot who used stage tricks and technology to become anyone. He's Cobra's version of Mystique, except he doesn't have mutant powers. Well, he could change the color of his skin when first introduced to the G.I. Joe cartoon universe, but that was quickly thrown out. Probably so people didn't claim he was a Mystique-wannabe.

1 Shipwreck

Come on! Forget the Snake-Eyes movie. We want to see one about Shipwreck. Out of all the characters introduced in the first G.I. Joe animated series, he was the one whose origins were the most fleshed out. In addition, like a certain female character introduced in Batman: the Animated Series (with initials H.Q.), Shipwreck successfully moved from television to comics.

Some may wonder why Shipwreck was so popular. He didn't have any special gadgets or a nifty costume. His sidekick was a parrot, creatively named Polly. In the end, it was for those reasons that he made a mark on the viewers. Shipwreck was a street-level fighter who used his fists and weapon skills to rescue the Joes every time they got into trouble, and that was a lot. If not for him, Cobra Commander would have ruled the world.

NEXT: Rodimus Prime: 10 Facts Even The Most Die-Hard Transformers Fans Didn't Know