Ray Park rolls Snake Eyes for ‘G.I. Joe’ movie

Slashfilm.com has confirmed that Ray Park is set to play Snake Eyes in G.I. JOE, a live-action adaptation of Hasbro’s popular toyline.

Park is well known to STAR WARS fans for using his real-world wushu training to good effect as the dual-edged lightsaber-wielding Darth Maul in THE PHANTOM MENACE. He’s a natural fit for Snake Eyes, a silent and enigmatic member of the fictional combat team and happens to be a ninja master.

Snake Eyes was introduced to Hasbro’s toyline in 1982 as a commando. He later developed into a ninja master within the pages of Marvel’s “G.I. Joe” comics beginning in 1984. His fame was cemented in 1985 with the airing of the popular TV mini-series.

In the film adaptation, Snake Eyes’ rivalry with Storm Shadow, a fellow ninja and member of Cobra, will play a prominent role in the story.

Casting Park was a good choice. He’s a talented screen fighter who hasn’t shown particularly strong acting skills. If the character is played anything like the cartoon, the role will be mostly physical, thus playing on Park’s strengths. If successful, this movie could reinvigorate his action film career that stumbled following a lackluster performance in BALLISTIC: ECKS VS. SEVER.

Park has long been attached to a live-action adaptation of the IRON FIST comic book series from Marvel that has remained in development for years. He is currently being seen on television in Asia where he is portraying Chuck Norris in an ambitious TV series titled THE LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE, starring Chan Kwok-kwan from KUNG FU HUSTLE.

Not all of the news surrounding the G.I. JOE movie is likely to be welcomed by fans. Some controversy surrounds the decision to alter the combat organization’s origins. Instead of being “Real American Heroes,” the team will now be an international organization based in New York. Its name has become a backronym that stands for “Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity.” The origin of the term “G.I. Joe” dates back to World War II where it became synonymous with the ordinary, American foot soldier. The toyline was originally designed to represent fighting men in each branch of American military forces. Hasbro even modeled a G.I. Joe doll after decorated WWII veteran Mitchell Paige. Yet the franchise has gone through many incarnations over the years that have been fueled more by commercial interests than patriotism.

Paramount is scheduling G.I. JOE the movie to begin shooting in February, 2008 and arrive in theaters in 2009. The only other confirmed casting is of Sienna Miller in the role of the Baroness.