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Everybody's favorite fat guy, Seth Rogan is slimming down and getting serious about The Green Hornet -- his first comic book movie. And he's given an update on its progress to SuperheroHype.com.
On the start date:
Right now the end of June. That is our tentative start date.
About Stephen Chow's involvement:
He's kind of our mascot. (laughs) He may be Kato. I'm not 100% sure if that's the case, but it's a very likely possibility. I'm not sure. Honestly, we're kind of in the very early phases right now. We're just putting those elements in place so I'm being honest. I honestly don't know yet.
On sticking to the The Green Hornet's origins:
He's actually the Lone Ranger's grandnephew. The Lone Ranger is owned by Jerry Bruckheimer so that probably limits the amount of involvement we can actually have in that movie. We were inspired by the original. We kind of took what we thought was good and left what we didn't. Honestly, we didn't feel any real obligation living up to the original because the radio plays totally different than the TV show which is different than the comic book. There is no real set way.
Posted 03.26.09 by reelz -
Columbia has hired Michel Gondry to direct The Green Hornet, a big-screen version of the 1930s radio show and 1960s TV show. Seth Rogen, who wrote the script with Evan Goldberg, is set to star as the Green Hornet, and Stephen Chow will play his sidekick, Kato.
Chow (Kung Fu Hustle) was originally set to direct the movie himself, but he had some "creative differences" with Columbia suits. Gondry apparently wowed studio execs with his vision for the film, and it will be interesting to see how the kooky French director tackles such commercial fare. Let's just hope everyone knows what they're getting into and it doesn't turn into another Where the Wild Things Are, if and when the studio doesn't get a super-commercial picture out of indie director.
Posted 02.25.09 by reelz -
Kung Fu Hustle actor/director Stephen Chow has left the director's chair due to "creative differences." Now there's a new one!
He had signed on in September to direct and star as Kato, the role originated in the TV series by Bruce Lee. Although, Variety says that he's not leaving the project altogether, and will still portray the side-kicking side-kick.
Earlier comments from star Seth Rogen made it sound as though Chow was close to convincing him into making the picture more comedic -- something that comic book movie fans feared. Whether or not this was the catalyst behind his losing the helm, the article does not say.
Written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the studio is now "hustling" to find a new director to keep on schedule -- planning to begin production in spring 2009.
Posted 12.19.08 by reelz -
Ten years ago, cute but chubby comedian Janeane Garofalo famously lost weight in an effort to get better roles, then spent countless interviews beating herself up for scarfing down Hollywood's twisted values so willingly. Now, it's cute but chubby comedian Seth Rogen, who has famously lost weight for his role as a superhero in The Green Hornet who's filled with low-cal self-loathing for his new skinnier self: "I feel okay. No, I actually feel a little worse about myself. I feel like I would make fun of me. Like if I were just a guy who saw me on TV I'd be like, 'What did Seth Rogen do? He lost weight. What a sell-out.' I feel lame talking about what I eat now. I'm the type of guy who talks about his diet. What is that about? That's just like the lamest thing ever, I think (laughter). I hate what it has turned me into."
Posted 11.14.08 by reelz -
Setting the stage for what could potentially resultin any number of on-set feuds, Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle,Shaolin Soccer) has signed on for double-duty on SethRogen's big-screen adaptation of The Green Hornet, agreeing to both direct thefilm and co-star as the title character's sidekick, Kato. Chow isn't the only personon the project wearing more than one hat; in addition to playing the lead role,Rogen is also the film's co-writer (along with Superbadbuddy Evan Goldberg) and executive producer.
Which raises questions about how conflicts on theset of The Green Hornet might be solved. What will happenwhen, say, Rogen arrives on set to find that the normally reserved Kato suddenlyhas more lines than his boss? Or when Chow objects to Rogen's many ad-libs referringto his sidekick by the impromptu nickname "Evan?"
It should make for an interesting shoot indeed.
Posted 09.19.08 by reelz -
Perhaps in an effort to show that he really is superhero material, a surprisingly well-groomed Seth Rogen long-jumped into a swimming pool on The Late Show last night. And since he didn't drown, didn't appear to break any bones, and remained airborne for at least three seconds, we feel confident that he will indeed make a convincing crimefighter in his upcoming role as the Green Hornet. At least if he, as the movie's co-writer, limits the action to mostly jumping in swimming pools. And keeps the pools shark-free.
Posted 08.05.08 by reelz -
Fresh from Comic-Con are precious few details surrounding Green Hornet, as provided by Seth Rogen.
Also present at Comic-Con were Benicio Del Toro and co-star Emily Blunt, showing off new footage of the upcoming old-school thriller, The Wolf Man
Posted 07.26.08 by reelz -
Seth Rogen took time out from shooting his new comedy Observe and Report (working title) on Tuesday to spill details aplenty regarding his forthcoming Green Hornet flick, which was recently given the green light by Sony. Rogen and Superbad/Pineapple Express writing partner Evan Goldberg turned in a first draft of the script about three weeks ago and are currently at work on a second.
Rogen said his version of The Green Hornet won't be a parody, but "a very intense action movie" with comedic elements. "It's the quintessential story about a hero and his sidekick," he added, while emphatically assuring us that it won't be another Batman & Robin. Ideally, he sees the movie's budget in the $70 to $100 million range.
The short-lived '60s Green Hornet TV series is known primarily for introducing American audiences to a young Bruce Lee, who played the Hornet's badass chauffer/sidekick Kato. As for his own Kato, Rogen is eyeing Kung Fu Hustle star Stephen Chow.
The Green Hornet is currently slated for a June 2010 release.
Posted 06.05.08 by reelz