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.
Corberó’s Baroness is less of a mustache-twirling villain and more of a pragmatic operative of Cobra. She approaches Snake Eyes with an offer: retrieve the clan’s mystical "Jewel of the Sun" in exchange for the location of his father’s killer. Corberó brings a cool, European sophistication and a coiled menace to the role. Her fight scenes are elegant and precise, and she handles the character’s signature weapon—a high-tech crossbow—with flair. While the script gives her limited depth, Corberó’s charisma ensures the Baroness remains a compelling threat, setting her up as a major antagonist for potential sequels. One of the film’s original characters (not directly from the G.I. Joe canon) is Akiko, played by Haruka Abe. Akiko is the loyal head of the Arashikage security, a master of surveillance and a fierce warrior dedicated to protecting the clan’s secrets. cast of snake eyes gi joe origins
Hard Master is the embodiment of the clan’s philosophy: disciplined, wise, and lethally efficient. Uwais, despite having limited dialogue, commands every scene with his presence. His single major action sequence—a sword fight against Snake Eyes during a training test—is a masterclass in choreography, speed, and impact. Uwais brings a legitimacy to the clan’s fighting style, grounding the film’s more fantastical elements (like the "Sunstone" and "Jewel of the Sun") in brutal, believable combat. His performance is stoic yet warm, serving as the moral compass that both Snake Eyes and Tommy ultimately fail to live up to. The Baroness (Ana DeCobray) is one of G.I. Joe ’s most iconic villains—a sleek, intelligent, and ruthless spy. Previously played by Sienna Miller, the role was taken on by Úrsula Corberó, best known for her iconic role as Tokyo in the Spanish heist series La Casa de Papel (Money Heist). In Origins , Scarlett is a mysterious figure
Ultimately, the cast elevates a flawed script. Golding proves his action lead credentials, Koji delivers a tragic masterpiece of a performance, and Uwais reminds everyone what real screen fighting looks like. While the film’s box office and reception were mixed, leading to an uncertain future for the franchise, the talent and commitment of this ensemble cannot be denied. They took a beloved property and tried to give it a soul, even if the final product struggled to balance the shadow of the ninja and the light of the soldier. Weaving’s Scarlett is witty, acerbic, and deadly
In this iteration, Tommy is the heir to the Arashikage clan, a kind and honorable warrior who sees a kindred spirit in the lost, angry Snake Eyes. He brings the outsider into his family, sharing the secrets of the clan. Koji masterfully portrays the slow, painful corruption of a good man. The film’s tragedy is that Tommy’s love for his friend is ultimately his undoing; when Snake Eyes is forced to seemingly betray him, it hardens Tommy’s heart and sets him on the path to becoming the white-clad assassin of Cobra. Koji’s chemistry with Golding is electric, creating a friendship that feels real, which makes their eventual, inevitable rift genuinely heartbreaking. His action sequences, particularly with the twin katanas, are a highlight of the film. No casting choice generated more excitement among action cinema fans than the inclusion of Iko Uwais. The Indonesian star of The Raid franchise is widely regarded as one of the greatest living on-screen martial artists. He was cast as Hard Master, the leader of the Arashikage clan and the uncle of Tommy.
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.
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.