I have just confirmed that Star Wars Episode 1 star Ray Park has been cast as Snake Eyes in Stephen Sommer’s big screen live-action adaptation of GI Joe.
Snake Eyes is one of the original members of the GI Joe series. Hasbro has released over 30 figures of the character since his debut in 1982. Not much is known about the ninja master’s real identity, as it has remained classified throughout the series. The U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (E-7) is known for his stealth like movements and extensive knowledge of multiple forms of martial arts. Snake-Eyes is romantically involved with fellow G.I. Joe member Master Sergeant Shana M. O’Hara, a.k.a. Scarlett.
Fans of the toyline, animated series and comic books have been worried about this live-action adaptation since story information began to leak. Hasbro had to publicly reassure fans. And things got worse when the first casting announcement revealed Sienna Miller (Stardust, Factory Girl) as (possibly) the Baroness, the exotic and evil sidekick of Destro. But I think everyone will agree that Ray Park is perfect for the role of Snake Eyes. Ray Park has been the fan favorite to take on the role, featured as a top placement on many fans dream cast listings. Park is best known for playing Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace. Park also played Toad in the original X-Men film. This bit of casting gives me a lot more faith in this project.
Here is the official plot synopsis:
“From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite co-ed GI JOE team, based from it’s headquarters The Pit, deploys the latest in next-gen spy and military equipment to fight crooked arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious COBRA organization from plunging the world into chaos.”
GI Joe will hit theaters on August 7, 2009. “Now You Know, and Knowing is Half The Battle.”
December 4th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
How can this cheesy movie have a better caliber of actors than Justice League?
December 4th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Actually, not to geek out too much, but there was a recent series called Snake Eyes: Declassified that told his backstory.
As to the article… This is awesome news; Ray Park is excellent casting. I’ll be curious to see who gets cast as Storm Shadow.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
If you are a GI Joe fanboy hang you’re head in shame. You are the lowest on the geek totem pole.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
I don’t know about the comics, but in the animated series, Duke and Scarlet were an item, along with Flint and Lady Jay…. those were the only mentioned romances.
As for the film, I wonder if anyone will be killed as there were no deaths in the animated series.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Guys Steven Sommers is directing this! Steven Sommers! How does that List go again? 1. Uwe Boll 2. Brett Ratner 3. Micheal Bay 4. McG 5. Steven Sommers. WARNING: if the film you are watching credits any of the following above, nausia may follow.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
“the elite co-ed GI JOE team” I already don’t like how they’re trying to be “politically correct” with this and the internationalization of the team for global marketing purposes…
and thatfella, who exactly made up this hierarchy list? you? were you a he-man or go-bots guy instead? Seriously… that comment is like from the star trek geeks that just live to argue with star wars fans over which was better
December 4th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
There is a hiearchy! Clinical studies have shown that GI Joe fans breast fed, wet the bed, and used the term “Mommy” longer than any other type of nerd. Who are you to argue with the facts?
December 5th, 2007 at 12:30 am
Look, frankly I don’t know how I ended up on this site, I was bored and heard about a live action Joe movie. I loved Joes as a kid so I decided to check it out.
Does it really matter where someone is on some made-up totem pole? Will it make the movie better or worse? I mean, to be honest it isn’ton the top of my to-watch list; then again how can anyone knock the idea of a Joe movie after seeing Star Wars Episode I and II? As long as this guy doesn’t bring George Lucas with him it can’t be that bad or overhyped of a movie.
Finally, it’s going to be a kiddy and fanboy movie. If someone loves Joes that much let them. Why get lathered up over a movie that isn’t geared towards you? No wonder I avoid the internet.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:47 am
It’s was what’s described as a joke. Yes, I will admit I do not believe what I said. It was attempt at “humor” which obviously failed drastically. A hiearchy amongst geeks would be like trying to find the world’s tallest midget.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:19 am
Thatfella, if you’re going to make attempts at humor and breaking balls on the internet, at least learn how to distinguish “your” from “you’re”. Honestly, the only thing worse than a trolling douche bag is a functionally illiterate trolling douche bag.
And Chris, if your only experience with G.I. Joe is the cartoon, you should check out the old Marvel books. The storytelling was vastly superior, Snake-Eyes and Scarlett were an item, and yes, plenty of people died.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Ray Park is cool, and if Stephen Sommers should make a very enjoyable, popcorn movie, as he usually does. And I still don’t understand the backlash against Sienna Miller: there’s nothing wrong with her, at least acting wise. Sure, she’s a slut in real life, but what’s that got to do with anything?
December 5th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Wow! You could have put a million dollars down on the table, and I NEVER would have guessed that was the guy who did the Ghostbuster’s song.
December 5th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Wow, why doesn’t everyone layoff thatfella. His “attempt” at comedy or whatever may not have been up to YOU’RE [sic] standards, but I got a chuckle out of it. It is a shame that everyone takes comments so seriously. Now im going to go kill myself, before I get flamed too.
December 5th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
This site is turning into AICN.
December 5th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
we were linked by AICN (and every other site on the internet), so maybe some of their talkbackers have joined us for this news story :)
December 5th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
The best part of this site is that it isn’t AICN.
December 5th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
It doesn’t get any better than Ray Park and Snake eyes ,so quit trying to get down the pants of other men by trying to be demeaning .Maybe they’ll make a Notebook 2 or whatever else you’re ,I think I ‘m a tough guy because I knock G.I. Joe , mentality likes ,but ,until then, be a real man and simply do not post anything at all. G.I. Joe rocks and so does whatever you’re little hearts may enjoy.
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGO RAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY !
December 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Nemo says:
“Wow! You could have put a million dollars down on the table, and I NEVER would have guessed that was the guy who did the Ghostbuster’s song.”
I think you are talking about Ray PARKER, not Ray PARK :)
December 5th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
All I know, if Rock N Roll and Major Bludd are not in the movie, the movie will suck. Rock N Roll was apart of the original twelve, and Major Bludd is the deadliest member of Cobra. The machine gunner and mercenary-for-hire are not the biggest players in the storyline, but would be critical, even if for only a few seconds of airtime.
If you have Baroness and Snake-Eyes, you could at least have these two. Also who would make the movie great, Stalker, Gung-Ho, Spirit, Roadblock, Breaker, Snow Job, Frostbite, Cutter.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:27 am
I’d love to see Sgt. Slaughter.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:30 am
DUde, WHen I used to give oil changes, I changed Sgt. Slaughters oil.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Well this is going to be a flip of the coin by “Hollywood”. I grew up with the original G.I. Joes the 6″ figures and viewed many adventures through Fisher Price’s “Viewfinders”. I followed up by watching all of the animated series and collected various figures of the Joe realm. I wish I had a chance to make a G.I. Joe film. I have thought about it a lot. Whats funny was that I thought about using Ray Park as Snake Eyes a couple of years ago. I hope that Hollywood doesn’t screw this one up!
Oh, and I think Cathrine Zetta-Jones would make a far better Baroness than whats-her-face. Anyway now knowing that they are making a film, there is nothing anyone can do but bitch about it. Like I said lets just hope the coin lands on the right side. Wow and just for that guy who doesn’t give a damn, I got on this sight cause I was looking for it not because I was bored. If you are bored you don’t go looking for a G.I. Joe comment movie page.
December 9th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
all i know is that during the credits at the end of the movie, they better have a public service announcement. and now you know, and knowing is half the battle
December 12th, 2007 at 2:18 am
Yes and the phrase “YO JOE!” better be uttered at least once.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:37 pm
I think just about every diehard, long time fan of GI Joe had Ray Park cast in their minds long before this movie was going to become a reality. Who better to pull off the martial arts and never speak or show his face than a guy who plays that role all the time?
Anyway, as a HUGE GI Joe fan who watched the cartoon, collected all the comics (old Marvel, Image AND Devils Due), toys and is in the process of a full sleeve GI Joe themed tattoo in the process, all I can say is that while there are gripes about this movie, there is still no way I am going to bitch about it being made. I don’t care for the international take on it, either. I don’t like that Cobra Commander is apparently non-existant. I have my doubts that we’ll see anything other than a movie geared towards a younger generation than the 30-somethings of my generation that grew up with it.
Bottom line, is it’s a MOVIE. Like Bad Religion said: IT’S ONLY ENTERTAINMENT. Just take it for what it is and enjoy. Personaly, I can’t wait to see this and I plan to sit back and have fun watching it.
January 31st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
As a lifelong fan of the GI Joe universe I am quite happy that they are FINALLY making a live action movie. Ray Park is phenomenal at what he does and will be the perfect Snake Eyes. However in my opinion as a die hard fan, I think Kate Beckinsale is the only candidate for the Baroness. Sienna Miller would probably play a better Zarana if she were to be cast at all.
PS- Don’t you love it how people have to justify the reason that they “stumbled” upon a blog posting for GI Joe? I’m not afraid to say it…I love all the fantasy and SCI FI I grew up with, and will continue to until the day I die. GI Joe, Transformers, X-Men, Star Wars, etc… they all helped develop the creativity and imagination that I have today. Don’t be hatin’!
February 21st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
In princess leia voice “aren’t you a little short to be Snake Eyes?” Come on, Ray Parks? Is he even 6 feet? Might as well get Tom Cruise for crying out loud and jump the shark with this wreck… also, they should have Sgt. Slaughter, the original. He’s still alive and wrestling. Also, they should introduce two new characters, General Admission and Corporal Punishment….
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
LadyJaneDoe,
Have you ever heard of movie magic (camera tricks)??? Watch LOTR, you’ll get the idea. Ray Park has to be the best casting choice ever made for any movie of this type. This is the best casting the people in charge of this movie have done made so far. Just hold your tongue until the movie is released and then comment.