Martial Arts Mayhem in G.I. Joe

On August 7, 2009, the eagerly-awaited live-action film G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra will hit the big screens. Set ten years in the future, the big-budget feature hopes to grab a wide audience of stunt-loving, good-versus-evil enthusiasts.

THE STORY
From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. Joe team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to battle against the mysterious Cobra organization. Cobra is headed by a corrupt arms dealer called Destro. G.I. Joe is an acronym for the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity and boasts top combat experts and military operatives.

The G.I. Joe culture is no stranger to the world of martial arts. One character in particular, Quick Kick, holds black belts in Taekwondo, Go Ju Ryu, Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Tai Chi Sword, Zen Sword and Wing-Chun.

If the trailers are any indication, the big screen blockbuster has already devoted a good portion of scenes to Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. The characters who introduced many G.I. Joe enthusiasts to the world of ninjas are sure to display some eye-popping stunts and battles. According to the G.I. Joe saga, Storm Shadow was trained by the same Ninja master as Snake Eyes, a member of the elite G.I. Joe team, but now fights against him.

Korean action-actor Byung-hun Lee plays Storm Shadow. While he’s known more for gun-toting than sword-wielding, the fight trainers have most likely brought him up to speed for screen-fighting.

Scottish martial arts actor and stunt-man Ray Park plays Snake Eyes.  Park is best known for playing martial arts expert Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. He also played Chuck Norris in a few episode of the Chinese mega-production, Legend of Bruce Lee.

Park began his training in traditional Chinese Northern Shaolin Kung-fu. He went on to master various other styles, most notably Wushu  - and currently holds a second degree black belt. Park was active in many martial arts tournaments and got his start in the film business during one of his frequent visits to Malaysia. He was approached to audition as a stunt man for 1997's Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and secured the role.

Screen veteran Gerald Okamura makes a cameo in the film as Hard Master, the Ninja master who trained the two as children. Okumara has been seen in Ninja films before but in real-life he has practiced Kendo, Aikido, Judo and Taekwondo. He is currently a 5th degree black belt in Kung Fu San Soo.
 
G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra was directed by Stephen Sommers. Watch the trailer below or visit the official website.