Ray Stevenson to play Firefly in GI Joe: Cobra Strikes

 
Ray Stevenson is starting to become a fixture in toy/comic book adaptations, it seems. Not only was he the Punisher in Punisher: War Zone, but was also one of the Warriors Three in Thor earlier this year. Now he's set to play Cobra saboteur and mercenary, Firefly, in G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes.

Other than Dr. Mindbender, Firefly was always my favorite member of Cobra, and he was particularly awesome in the comics. Firefly was basically given to the Koga ninja clan as payment for a debt when his father died. Trained to be a ninja, he earned the status of Master, and was soon hired by Cobra Commander to kill Snake-Eyes. Firefly couldn't do it alone, enlisting Zartan to help. A screw up occurred, leading to the death of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow's sensei, Hard Master. Storm Shadow was blamed and fled the clan, leading to his lifelong rivalry with Snake Eyes. Firefly went on to become one of Cobra's primary paid operatives.

The ninja aspect of G.I. Joe was a pretty heavy presence in the first film, but it looks to be even more of a focus in the sequel. Besides the returning Ray Park as Snake Eyes and Lee Byung-Hun as Storm Shadow, Elodie Yung has been added as the female ninja Jinx, and Rza will play Blind Master.  At this point I'm surprised they cut Scarlett(Rachel Nichols) from the roster, considering her deep involvement in all the ninja stuff.  Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Adrienne Palicki, DJ Cotrona make up the rest of the cast.

Jon Chu(Never Say Never) is directing the sequel, due to hit theaters on August 10th, 2012. [THR]