PARAMOUNT has found its ninja warrior. “Crazy Rich Asians” breakout Henry Golding is in negotiations to star in “Snake Eyes,” a “G.I. Joe” spinoff centered on the popular commando from Paramount. Robert Schwentke, who helmed two installments of the “Divergent” franchise, is directing the action project that has Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Brian Goldner among the producers. Snake Eyes is the ninja commando that first appeared in the 1980s as part of Hasbro and Marvel Comics’ relaunch of the toy line, dubbed “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.” The character, who dressed in all black, never revealed his face and never spoke, stood out among the military anti-terrorist group and quickly established himself as the most popular. He sometimes carried out solo missions with his pet wolf, Timber; his archenemy is Storm Shadow, a ninja who is also his blood brother. Paramount has made two “G.I. Joe” movies — “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009) and “G.I Joe: Retaliation” (2013) — with acrobatic actor Ray Park playing Snake Eyes in both. Evan Spiliotopoulos wrote the script for the solo installment, which is said to center on Snake Eyes seeking revenge for his father’s death by joining a ninja clan and in the process finding acceptance. Golding made his feature debut portraying a rich man in “Crazy Rich Asians” last year. Soon, he parlayed that into leading roles in the upcoming romantic comedy “Last Christmas,” with Emilia Clarke and Emma Thompson, and Guy Ritchie’s crime thriller “The Gentlemen,” starring Matthew McConaughey. (SD-Agencies) |