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| Information On How Ray Park Was Chosen To Play Snake Eyes In G.I. Joe:Rise Of Cobra! |
| Posted on 09-22-2008 at 07:42 PM by Shin Densetsu | Social Bookmarks | RSS Feeds | HissTank boards member mynameisash gives us details on how Ray Park was chosen to play Snake Eyes in the upcoming G.I. Joe:Rise of Cobra movie set for release next year!
It turns out Park always wanted to play Snake Eyes and was also interested in playing Storm Shadow. Upon hearing that a film was going to be made, he and a friend decided to make a short film playing both parts and sent it to Paramount. After casting started, the director invited Park to come by and talk about the movie, and he got the part!
He was scripted to say a few lines but Larry Hama nixed the idea. Despite Park's excitement to speak the lines, he understood that it would be an abomination to fans if Snake Eyes were to speak in the film.
Click on the discuss button below to read more and join the ongoing discussion
| | Credit: mynameisash of the Hiss Tank Forums! | Views: 1,788 | | mynameisash: UPDATED:
When I attended Dragon-Con in Atlanta this year, I went intending to get a signed pic of Snake-Eyes. So I jumped in line and I couldn't believe how short it was. Still there were a few getting the SE figures signed but I thought that he would be as big as Sean Astin who had a line 3 times as big at the other table. When I got up to the table to decide which photo to purchase so he could sign, Lex Luthor himself , Michael Rosenbaum with a full head of hair, hovered over Ray and introduced himself and began to ask him what movies he had been in. It was funny to hear Rosenbaum say "So, by the looks of the pics you play all of the badasses." Then he looked at my photo of Snake-Eyes I was getting signed and asked, "Who is this guy?" I jumped in then and the proud geek I am came blaring out as I asked Rosenbaum...."who is this? what do you mean who is this?.....This is Snake-Eyes!...How could you not know?" Rosenbaum started to tread backwards in his steps as he began to apologize profusly to me for offending me because he didn't know who Snake-Eyes was. Funny incident. I embarrassed him.
But anyway, I was a little overwhelmed talking to Ray about getting the part. I praised him for getting a part that I dearly wanted only him to get. He explained that he had always wanted to play Snake-Eyes and that when he heard that there was gonna be a movie made, he and his friend went out to shoot a short film of him playing Snake-Eyes. He was also interested in the part of Storm Shadow as well. So he shot a short film doing both parts and sent it in to Paramount. When it came time, the director invited Ray to come out to talk about the movie. So pretty much, its a no brainer, he got the part! Then I began talking to him about how he was scripted to have a few lines but when Larry Hama was on set those were scrapped. He def said he wanted to say a few lines and he was excited about that, but he understood that it would be an abomination to fans. He seemed very understanding and he didnt seem pissed about it. He was very polite and warm. I told him that I met him before when I wanted a Darth Maul pic signed about 5 yrs ago and def made my day pretty cool when he said..."yeh, I thought I remembered you! You looked familiar." Whether or not he did remember me, that was still pretty cool.
As for Michael Rosenbaum, I went back by to apologize for embarrassing him at Park's table to which he replied..." no man, you didnt' embarrass me. The only way you woulda done that was if you walked up behind me and pulled my shorts down in front of everyone." Needless to say I got his autograph and told him I'll miss him on Smallville.
-I also forgot to mention something else that was confirmed. I brought my girlfriend along who actually looks in a way like Rachel Nichols who plays Scarlett. Her head has a red dye in it and I said to Ray that Snake-Eyes and I have another thing in common.......We both go for red heads. He laughed and replied that that might be so, but there are no love interests in the movie for Snake-Eyes. I was bummed. I said to him that maybe in a future sequel he and Scarlett may hit it off. Thats all he really spilled. spacemonkeymafia: Let me guess because he can do kicks....... Ash Talon: I don't think you embarassed him. I think you scared him. Big difference.
I don't know how any American man in his late 20s or early 30s doesn't know Snake-Eyes on sight. Especially from a guy that must have been exposed to this kinda stuff at conventions and such.
I'm not completely sold on Parks playing SE. Mind you, I don't mean to say he's wrong for it. I just think he's the only martial artist in film that geeks can identify. There are plenty of partial artists with film experience that could pull off the role. I don't see why someone with name appeal (how many people really know who Ray Parks is?) had to play the role. His face is covered up, so we don't need some recognizable.
They didn't want him playing SS, since he's not Asian. And his voice is awful for film. Pretty much a no-brainer there. RuckusJr: Woah, Ash replied to ash...
I think if someone has the ability and skill and the love for the role, as Park apparently does, it's a match made in heaven. Mind you, this doesn't always work with speaking roles, but covered face, no lines. He just needs to do what he does. Gung.Heaux: Quote:
Originally Posted by Ash Talon  his voice is awful for film. | i agree with that quite a bit....not really a badass voice.
i knew ray's maul was dubbed over by a british actor/comedian, but hadnt a clue it who it was until i saw shaun of the dead. TheSabOteuR: Ray Park...bad ass skills for martial arts, Ray Park...bad ass on acting behind a mask, Ray Park...bad ass mofo for knowing who Snake Eyes was and did a stint of his own on video when he heard about the movie. I don't care if the movie will be good or sucks as I know for sure with Ray Park as Snake eyes, it will be his best movie to show off more of his martial art skills. miscreant: Quote:
Originally Posted by Ash Talon (how many people really know who Ray Parks is?) . | If that was an attempt at irony, the attempt was successful. Eopie Herder: Man, I wish I could have gone this year. I've wanted to go meet Ray the past couple of years and it seems like every time I plan to go, something comes up and I can't. Would have loved to meet Rosenbaum too. Captain Carstein: Any chance Michael Rosenbaum was being sarcastic when he was back pedaling and apologizing? Either way, it sounds like you had a pretty cool experience. Good to hear. The Conflict: how tall is ray parks? he seems really short. i have always envisioned se being very tall. plus,do anyone know what martial arts or styles parks know/does? he seems to be acrobatic but i dont really reconize any particular style. DPrime: Great story! It's nice to hear when celebrities seem like normal, down to earth people.
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Originally Posted by Gung.Heaux i agree with that quite a bit....not really a badass voice.
i knew ray's maul was dubbed over by a british actor/comedian, but hadnt a clue it who it was until i saw shaun of the dead. | Sorry, I don't understand - was one of the guys from Shaun of the Dead (great film, btw!) the voice for Maul? Really? hectorxd: I would love to see his video that he made for audition. Outbackk: Quote:
Originally Posted by Gung.Heaux i agree with that quite a bit....not really a badass voice.
i knew ray's maul was dubbed over by a british actor/comedian, but hadnt a clue it who it was until i saw shaun of the dead. | who was that? miscreant: Quote:
Originally Posted by Outbackk who was that? | Peter Serafinowicz. Skyhawk: I'm sorry, He's gonna be great as Snake-Eyes...
That is one cool experience, I wish I had the opportunity to meet him too! And yeah, how could you not know Snake-Eyes?! My mom and dad know how he is! And the rest of the Joe's and Cobras for that fact!
Some one should give Park's the info for the Tank! He would dig it if he really is a Joe fan.. Deckard: All i know is i am looking forward to mr Park as Iron fist (provided he is doin it which heard he was and they don't screw that one up too) than i am to seeing him as snake eyes. TheLongestDay: Quote:
Originally Posted by The Conflict how tall is ray parks? he seems really short. i have always envisioned se being very tall. plus,do anyone know what martial arts or styles parks know/does? he seems to be acrobatic but i dont really reconize any particular style. | thats weird i always imagined him being one of the shortest in the group-not as small as tunnel rat tho!
BTW thanks "mynameisash" for posting this story-its always cool to hear about peoples encounters with actors,especially when its 2 cool guys like Park and Rosenbaum! LaDracul: I feel kinda bad for Ray, even if his voice is a bit high.
But Storm Shadow? They did know Storm Shadow is Asian, right? Dutchmaster29: Like he wasn't going to get the part. If there is a part in hollywood that requires Martial Arts and no talking then Ray's the man. (ala Toad in X-Men and Darth Maul in TPM). He's an incredible physical actor but I'd like to see more aout of him in his parts. I guess we won't expect to hear from him in GI Joe '09. Still, he'll do that part justice. RolandofGilead: There's always the chance that he can talk in a flash-back sequence or something. That is IF they are sticking to something close to his original story. Gunzlingr: Cool story.
I love Rosenbaum as the Flash in JLU. Copper21: That was cool. I think Ray has a great career ahead of him... mynameisash: Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Carstein Any chance Michael Rosenbaum was being sarcastic when he was back pedaling and apologizing? Either way, it sounds like you had a pretty cool experience. Good to hear. | yeh man, he was, he made a joke out of it. It was def a fun experience. mynameisash: Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunzlingr Cool story.
I love Rosenbaum as the Flash in JLU. |
yeh, i was actually wanting him to sign a picture of his Flash Character since I loved that more than his Lex Luthor, but he said maybe next year. My girlfriend didnt like him, but I thought he was cool for what the hyper personality he was displaying. I mean, the guy was rounding all of the tables talkin to other actors. It is really cool when you see Lex Luthor with hair talking to Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) and of course Ray and a few others. Shin Densetsu: Did Ray say anything about Lee Byung Hun's performance as Storm Shadow, or anything about the fight scenes with him? That will probably be the highlight of the film. Sarlacc: Was this story really front page worthy??? Jbluez: Quote:
Originally Posted by The Conflict how tall is ray parks? he seems really short. i have always envisioned se being very tall. plus,do anyone know what martial arts or styles parks know/does? he seems to be acrobatic but i dont really reconize any particular style. | He is 5'9". He only seems short because Ewan McGreggor is 5'11" and Liam Neeson is 6'4" :P
<edit> I believe he knows wushu.
<edit again>From the imdb:
"...Specializing in the traditional Chinese Northern Shaolin Kung-fu (in the Chin Woo style Park moved on to master various other styles, most notably Wushu. Soon becoming a regular fixture at martial arts exhibitions and tournaments, the now defined athlete topped Great Britain's martial arts championships before later travelling to Malaysia to refine his skills." Jbluez: Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarlacc Was this story really front page worthy??? | Yes. Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
Was this story really front page worthy???
| Yes. None of us knew previously that Ray actually went as far as to send a fan film to Paramount. We knew he was a fan, but didn't know he went that far. Besides, there was good information in mynameisash's post. There was also further confirmation that Snake Eyes will not speak in the movie. Agent-GHQ: That would have been kool prior to his incident where he lost his vocal cord. mynameisash: Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarlacc Was this story really front page worthy??? | well, I dont think so and im the one who wrote it. Its kinda flattering though I would think that youd have to be a mandated reporter or def have proof with pics....but hey, I guess I get away with honesty huh? Jbluez: Quote:
Originally Posted by mynameisash well, I dont think so and im the one who wrote it. Its kinda flattering though I would think that youd have to be a mandated reporter or def have proof with pics....but hey, I guess I get away with honesty huh? | Meh. When someone puts up their own web site, then they get a vote on what is worthy of the front page, I think.  VIPER 48: Quote:
Originally Posted by Eopie Herder Man, I wish I could have gone this year. I've wanted to go meet Ray the past couple of years and it seems like every time I plan to go, something comes up and I can't. Would have loved to meet Rosenbaum too. | Same here... atomicpower: I hope they don't rewrite the past so that snake eyes talks in vietnam and gets made fun of by a child so he never speaks again. Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
I hope they don't rewrite the past so that snake eyes talks in vietnam and gets made fun of by a child so he never speaks again.
| LOL What the hell?
Well Snake Eyes in the movie isn't the vietnam vet Snake Eyes...the continuity is all new, influenced by RAH, but definitely not RAH. He would need to be older, or the same age as Quaid if there were the case..and this movie takes place in the future.
Anyways its good to know that Ray wanted to play the part for a long time. I have a feeling his performance as Snake Eyes will rival his as Darth Maul. TheLongestDay: Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbluez Meh. When someone puts up their own web site, then they get a vote on what is worthy of the front page, I think. | tell me about it! My customs havent made front page for ages!! WAAAAHHHH! WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!.....*ahem*
I love this story-thanks again for posting it |
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