The film begins with the G.I. Joe team, consisting of Duke (Channing Tatum), Snake Eyes (Henry Golding), Scarlett (Scarlett Johansson), and others, on a mission in Pakistan. However, they are ambushed by Firefly (Burn Gorman) and his team, who use a electromagnetic pulse (EMP) to disable the Joes' vehicles and equipment. The Joes are presumed dead, and the world believes that they are terrorists.