One by one, pretty much every major film of 2020 has had its release date pushed back due to COVID-19, and it seems that SNAKE EYES will likely be next. The G.I. JOE spin-off focuses on the deadly ninja commando known as Snake Eyes, who is played by Henry Golding (CRAZY RICH ASIANS), and was slated to hit theaters on October 23, 2020.
Buried in a report from THR regarding Hasbro's second-quarter financial results was the tidbit that theater closures had forced Hasbro to push SNAKE EYES into 2021. As far as exactly when the film will finally hit the big-screen, Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s chairman and CEO, said that they're "working out the specifics with Paramount." SNAKE EYES will follow the titular character as he seeks revenge for the death of his father by joining a ninja clan and finding acceptance in the process. The film also stars Andre Koji (Warrior) as Storm Shadow, a fellow ninja is is both blood brother and archenemy to Snake Eyes, Iko Uwais (THE RAID) as Hard Master, a tough as nails teacher who instructs Snake Eyes and also happens to be a skilled swordmaster, Samara Weaving (READY OR NOT) as Scarlett, the red-haired counter-intelligence officer who has a unique bond with Snake Eyes, and Úrsula Corberó (Money Heist) as the evil agent known as the Baroness. SNAKE EYES: G.I. JOE ORIGINS was helmed by Robert Schwentke (RED).
Although SNAKE EYES may not be hitting theaters until next year, it was revealed earlier this year that Hasbro and Paramount have already been developing a follow-up with Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, best known for penning Kristen Stewart's SEBERG, set to pen the script. At the time, it was said that "the idea for the project is to build on Snake Eyes, making it not quite a sequel but rather an expansion to take audience goers deeper into the world of Joe." Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse aren't exactly new to the G.I. JOE franchise, as they did some "uncredited production polishing" on SNAKE EYES, which surely led to them getting the gig for this new film.