Back in May, it was reported that Evan Spiliotopoulos (The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Bright 2) was penning a G.I. Joe spin-off that would focus on the silent, black-clad ninja protag, Snake Eyes. That script now has a director circling the project in Robert Schwentke (Red, Divergent Series: Insurgent and Allegeant).
Justin Kroll at Variety brought the exclusive late Tuesday evening about the spin-off, based on the popular Hasbro property that took off in the 1940s as a comic strip and spawned a franchise that emerged in toy sales, a hit cartoon series and two live-action films to date. Actor and martial artist Ray Park principally emulated the role on screen for both the 2009 and 2013 films opposite Lee Byung-hun who played Storm Shadow – whose loyalty to Cobra Commander saw revelations sparking a major twist by the end of the movie.
This could be a narrative addition to the film, or it may very well be it’s own. Seeing as this is being cited as the third G.I. Joe film – in a sense – we’ll have to see. Personally I hope both Park and Lee return to their roles, but I’m eager to see what awaits this entry.
Snake Eyes is a silent ninja commando who dresses in all black, never reveals his face, and doesn’t speak. He stands out among the military anti-terrorist group and quickly establishes himself as the most popular. He has a special relationship with Scarlett, the team’s one-time only female member, and sometimes carries out solo missions with his pet wolf, Timber. His archenemy is Storm Shadow, a ninja who is also his blood brother.
Brian Goldner is producing the film for Paramount.
