Paramount has placed a spinoff film to feature popular GI Joe character Snake Eyes into development. The studio has picked Evan Spiliotopoulos to write the screenplay for the solo film. Spiliotopoulos previously scripted Beauty And The Beast and The Huntsman: Winter’s War.
The character of Snake Eyes first appeared when Hasbro released their rejuvenated GI Joe toyline in the early 1980s. A ninja dressed from head-to-toe in black and never speaking, Snake Eyes soon became a breakout fan favorite thanks to his appearances in the cartoon series and comic books that were part of the initial launch of the toys.
Despite his popularity, the move to spin the character off to his own film seems odd, as Paramount has not even been able to make the main GI Joe film franchise much of a success. The first film, 2009’s GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, managed to make $302 million at the worldwide box office. But with the film sporting a price tag of $175 million, it wasn’t enough to get it into the black. A 2013 follow-up, GI Joe: Retaliation, fared somewhat better earning $375.7 million globally against a budget of $130 million.
Stunt man and actor Ray Park played Snake Eyes in both films. There is no word yet if Park will be back for this new film.
Currently Paramount has a new GI Joe film set for a March 27, 2020 release. Presumably this Snake Eyes spinoff would come afterwards at some point.
Via Hollywood Reporter.
Hmm, possible titles. Silent Movie. The Quiet Man. Others?
Children of a Lesser God?