The folks over at Slashfilm alerted us that Star Wars Episode 1 star Ray Park has been cast as Snake Eyes in Stephen Sommer’s big screen live-action adaptation of "G.I. Joe."
Funny thing is that our own George "El Guapo" Roush spoke to producer of the film Lorenzo Di Bonaventura back when he was promoting SHOOTER and George did mention if he would cast Ray Park.
LR: I thought he was the best one. Bonaventura: Fair enough. So it's the same thing with G.I. Joe. I think you'd make a mistake if you don't work on it. Snake Eyes is a really difficult character. What are we going to do? Show a guy who can't see? How do you manage that in a movie?
LR: Do you just hire Ray Park and stick him in a suit? Bonaventura: [Laughs] I'm not sure what the answer is at this point. I just want to get a script first.
Click on the image to read the official plot synopsis
Snake-Eyes' real name, place of birth, and most other information about him have remained classified throughout all depictions of his origins; all that is known for certain about his military standing is that he holds the rank of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (E-7) and has undergone Drill Instructor training. He is also the team's resident hand-to-hand combat instructor. Very little else about his past has been revealed. (According to the character's creator, Larry Hama, no actual, 'unclassified' name was ever given to him.) He was originally billed by Hasbro Toys in 1982 as a "Commando," but by 1984, in the pages of Marvel Comics, it became clear that he was also a full-fledged ninja master.
In every version of the story, Snake-Eyes is quiet in his movements and is a swift and deadly master of multiple martial arts. He is an expert in the use of the ninjato, which he usually carries in a pair of sheaths strapped to his back (but often uses only one). He is equally qualified with and willing to use standard weapons like firearms and explosives. Making him even more dangerous is that he has never relied on one set of weapons to the exclusion of others. For instance, in one mission, Snake Eyes is confronted by a ninja with a sai and he defeats him by simply throwing a standard grenade at him. In keeping with his personality, Snake-Eyes usually wears what could perhaps best be described as a black "military ninja" bodysuit, along with a balaclava and visor to cover his face, which was disfigured in a combat-related accident. Since then, Snake-Eyes has had extensive plastic surgery to repair the damage, but he still has one or two scars left.
When shown out of his uniform, Snake-Eyes is around six feet tall and athletic in build, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He has a pet wolf named Timber that has appeared several times in toys, comics, and animation. Snake-Eyes is romantically involved with fellow G.I. Joe member Master Sergeant Shana M. O'Hara, a.k.a. Scarlett, and he has an apprentice, Kamakura.
