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In Origins , Scarlett is a mysterious figure who appears midway through the film, tracking Cobra’s movements. She is not yet part of an official G.I. Joe team (the organization is only hinted at as a classified global initiative). Weaving’s Scarlett is witty, acerbic, and deadly. She doesn’t have a massive amount of screen time, but she makes an impression. Her fight choreography, particularly using her signature wrist-mounted crossbow and a staff, is fluid and fast. Weaving balances the character’s intelligence with a physical ferocity. Her scenes with Golding have a playful antagonism that sets up a future dynamic. While some fans longed for a more traditional, uniformed Scarlett, Weaving’s interpretation successfully plants the flag for the G.I. Joe team’s presence in this new world. Every good ninja story needs a rival within the clan. That role is filled by Kenta, played by Japanese actor Takehiro Hira (known for Giri/Haji ). Kenta is a former Arashikage member who was banished for his brutality and now leads a splinter faction, secretly allied with Cobra.
Released in 2021, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins sought to reboot the long-running G.I. Joe franchise by stepping away from the ensemble military spectacle of its predecessors ( The Rise of Cobra and Retaliation ) and focusing on a singular, gritty origin story. Directed by Robert Schwentke, the film trades the high-octane, gadget-heavy battles for a world of ancient Japanese clans, ninja honor codes, and raw, visceral revenge. At the heart of its success—or failure, depending on the critic—lies its diverse and ambitious cast. Assembling a blend of rising stars, martial arts icons, and established character actors, the cast of Snake Eyes was tasked with grounding a fantastical world while breathing new life into iconic Hasbro characters. cast of snake eyes gi joe origins
Golding plays a younger, more volatile Snake Eyes—a drifter haunted by his father’s murder. Unlike the stoic icon, this Snake Eyes is talkative, angry, and morally ambiguous. He makes a deal with the villainous Baroness, betraying the Arashikage clan for a chance to avenge his father. Golding successfully portrays the internal conflict: the selfish need for revenge versus the burgeoning sense of honor taught by his mentor, Tommy (Storm Shadow). While some purists disliked a talkative Snake Eyes, Golding’s performance anchors the film’s central redemption arc, making the eventual vow of silence (a choice born from shame and devotion) feel earned. The Noble Rival: Andrew Koji as Tommy / Storm Shadow The yin to Snake Eyes’ yang is his brother-in-arms turned nemesis, Storm Shadow. This role has a rich history, previously played by Byung-hun Lee in the earlier films. For Origins , the part went to Andrew Koji, the breakout star of the action series Warrior . Koji brought not only incredible physical prowess but also a deep sense of tragic nobility to the character. In Origins , Scarlett is a mysterious figure
Enter Henry Golding. Best known for his charming, charismatic lead in Crazy Rich Asians and the holiday romance Last Christmas , Golding was an unconventional choice for a gritty action hero. To prepare, Golding underwent an intense physical transformation, training extensively in martial arts, specifically Japanese Jujitsu, Karate, and Kendo. He also had to learn the physicality of a man driven by trauma. Weaving’s Scarlett is witty, acerbic, and deadly
