Part 5/10:
A crucial point of controversy lies in how Snake Eyes veered far from established G.I. Joe lore. The movie significantly changed the character’s backstory, origin, and personality. Traditionally, Snake Eyes is a silent, masked ninja—an archetype that adds to his mystique. However, the film cast Henry Golding as the titular character, and instead of maintaining the silent, masked persona, Golding’s portrayal featured him talking and removing his mask early in the story.
This creative choice sparked criticism from purists who believe that the essence of the character—the silent, mysterious ninja—was compromised. Critics also argued that this change failed to resonate with audiences, undermining what made Snake Eyes iconic to fans of the franchise.