Green Hornet Remake to Hit Theaters in 2010

October 9, 2009

Columbia Pictures' The Green Hornet is full speed ahead in spite of a few cast changes. We last reported that Stephen Chow, of Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer fame, was set to direct the big screen debut of The Green Hornet and star as Kato.

He subsequently dropped the directing gig and some time later, he dropped out of the film altogether. 

Chow has now been replaced by Taiwanese actor Jay Chou to play the martial arts fighting chauffeur and trusty sidekick Kato.

Chou is a veritable superstar in his native country and has a list of noteworthy credits from acting to producing. What he seems to miss is a solid background in martial arts.  Martial arts enthusiasts and Green Hornet fans alike may find this aspect disappointing since Kato was made legendary on the silver screen by Bruce Lee.

Michel Gondry, the film’s director, has said in a press release on the subject of his casting choice that, “Jay Chou is is incredibly unique and charming and fights like a wild dog!” Nevertheless,  it's doubtful that the fight scenes will be as realistic as they could have been with a seasoned martial artist.

CRIME-FIGHTING DUO
The film also stars Seth Rogen as the Green Hornet and Cameron Diaz as the love interest. Rogen, who also wrote the screenplay, shed 30 pounds to play the titular role as the crime-fighter.  The masked superhero known as The Green Hornet is a debonair newspaper publisher named Britt Reid. Until now, Rogen has been seen mostly in comedic roles.

The Green Hornet began as a radio program on Detroit’s WXYZ in 1936 and ran until 1952 on NBC Blue (later ABC) Network. Despite the huge interest in Bruce Lee and his chauffeur by profession, martial arts fighting character Kato, the Green Hornet TV series was cancelled in 1967.  

Pictures of Chou and Rogen as Kato and The Green Hornet on set.

The Green Hornet is set to hit theaters in December of 2010.

 

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