G.I. Joe Casting Update: Storm Shadow and Scarlett drafted
Paramount has cast Korean Star Byeong-Heon Lee as Storm Shadow and "Alias" alum Rachel Nichols as Scarlett in Stephen Sommers's big-screen G.I. Joe.
Fans were ecstatic when Ray Park (Star Wars, X-Men) was cast as fan-favorite Snake Eyes in Paramount’s upcoming live-action film G.I. Joe. But they immediately raised the question: "Who will play arch-foe Storm Shadow?"
Latino Review's KELLVIN CHAVEZ has an answer. According to "proven sources," Storm Shadow will be played by 27-year-old Korean Mega Star Byeong-Heon Lee, who just wrapped I Come With The Rain with Josh Harnett (30 Days of Night), and currently is playing "The Bad" in The Good, The Bad and The Weird. Though he's only recently begun making English-language flicks, his 2000 movie Joint Security Area was, at the time, the highest grossing film in Korean history. (You'll find him listed as "Byung-Hun Lee" on IMDB.)
Best known as Cobra Commander's Japanese ninja assassin, Storm Shadow, a.k.a. Thomas S. Arashikage, a.k.a. Tomisaburo Arashikage, is one of the most popular and enigmatic figures of the G.I. Joe universe, and the only series character to change sides several times, conflicted in loyalties between Cobra, G.I. Joe and his long relationship with his swordbrother Snake Eyes (they were trained by the same Ninja master). He usually wears a white uniform and mask. The story of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes is the most complex, and tragic, in Joe comics lore.
"Storm Shadow is Japanese and Lee is Korean, but he’s been in a few Japanese-language movies, so there’s at least a little authenticity going on there," commented Cinema Blend's KATEY RICH.
In related news, Rachel Nichols, formerly of "Alias" and now cast in the new Star Trek, will play G.I. Joe's main female, redheaded Master Sergeant Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara. The 5'10" Nichols just starred in the horror movie P2, and will next appear in Charlie Wilson's War.
An Atlanta native, counter intelligence specialist Scarlett was the only member of the original G.I. Joe team to see much action in both the cartoon and comics--keeping her crossbow at the ready--and she has served occasionally as team leader.
Official confirmation is still forthcoming for the casting of Nichols, but The IESB's ROBERT SANCHEZ is confident that we can "expect an official announcement from Paramount Pictures very soon."
"It’s smart planning on the part of the producers here not to bother with big-name actors," wrote Rich, "though I have no idea what Sienna Miller is doing here."
Miller (Stardust) was the first actor cast, though her character has yet to be revealed.
Stephen Sommers (The Mummy) will direct from a script by Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Skip Woods (Hitman). Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers) will produce with Hasbro chief operating officer Brian Goldner, Sommers and his partner Bob Ducsay.
Hasbro has confirmed that the film will follow the "G.I. Joe vs. Cobra" storyline from the cartoon of the 1980's, and that the rivalry between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow will be central to the film.
G.I. Joe is due in theaters on August 7, 2009.
[Thanks to CanMag for the link, and to Superhero Flix and Moviehole's CLINT MORRIS for additional info.]