Seth Rogen on The Green Hornet

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Seth Rogen on The Green Hornet

Source:Heather Newgen

June 4, 2008

Before even seeing Seth Rogen on the New Mexico set of his new Warner Bros. movie Observe and Report (working title), we could hear his infectious laugh roar through an Albuquerque mall where the base camp was set up to shoot and we couldn't wait to chat with him. Not only is Rogen one of the coolest guys to interview because of his raunchy sense of humor and his genuine interest in wanting to talk to press, but he gave us some insight as to what is going on with The Green Hornet, which he is co-writing and would star in as the masked crime fighter.

"'Green Hornet' is PG-13 and that's an action movie. You can do anything violence wise," he told us.

When asked about Stephen Chow being involved in the project, Rogen confirmed that his name has come up and said, "Until you get an official green light, the studio won't spend any money and you can't get an actor without any money. We would love to have him. The version of the script is ultimately written as a very intense action movie."

"It's a very intense action movie and the relationship between Green Hornet and Kato, a lot of comedy comes from that. At first actually, we weren't even sure going in we could be more of a Jet Li type guy who maybe isn't the funniest guy in the world, but he's physically very impressive, or whether it would be more of a Stephen Chow type guy who can do martial arts, but clearly has a sense of humor. In the version that we've made it seems like a Stephen Chow type guy would be more suitable for the role. Again, until they officially greenlight it, it's hard to make any of those decisions," Rogen continued.

But that isn't stopping the comedian from searching for someone to helm the comic book film. "We have been meeting with directors and stuff even though we haven't been greenlit. We just kind of took it upon ourselves to kind of begin conservations with people. I'm really excited. It seems like it might really happen."

While they have approached a few different directors, Rogen isn't sure if he wants someone who has experience with big budget action films or more of an independent helmer. "We've been meeting with people in both worlds I would say and that ultimately is the real question. Do you get a guy who does action really well and who has done that before, or do you get a guy who has never done action before, but can bring something unique to that style movie? We don't know yet. Until we get the script down to people, we're kind of letting their response to what we write be the dictator. Someone will read it and be more psyched than the other guys and that will be the guys we go with."

When asked who will get more action -- Green Hornet or Kato -- Rogen said, " It's them sharing the action, but I would say the story has something to do with them working out their relationship exactly. I would say in a way it's your quintessential story about a hero and his sidekick. That's what really initially drew us to it. We always thought that was kind of a funny dynamic and a funny relationship and no movies really did that except 'Batman & Robin.' No movies did that well."

Rogen, who is writing the script with childhood friend Evan Goldberg, said the two had always been fascinated by superheroes and hope the project moves forward. "For years Evan and I have been toying with this notion of a movie that explores the hero / sidekick relationship and what is a hero without a sidekick and what is a sidekick without a hero. It's actually a dynamic that applies to many real life situations--a lot of working dynamics, a lot of bosses and their underlinings. The one thing people say when you see the Green Hornet is Bruce Lee and Kato. He's the only hero with a sidekick who is way more known than he is."

What exactly is the hold up with the movie? Rogen explains it's actually him. " It's more just us finishing up a newer draft of the script."

And he admitted he doesn't think about the budget when writing the script. " We don't think about the money at all. When we're writing a script, the only way we can do it is write exactly what it is we want to see when we go to a movie. When we wrote 'Pineapple Express,' we didn't know if it was going to be a $100 million movie or a $27 million movie. Ultimately, it was a $27 million movie, but that didn't affect the way we wrote it. We did all the action we wanted in that. That being said, this seems like it would be more in the $70-100 [million] world."

The high in-demand actor can't say for sure if the movie will be approved by the studio, but he's leaving his schedule open just in case. "If we make 'The Green Hornet' it would probably shoot sometime after [the Judd Apatow untitled project] so we're kind of leaving that slot open."

He joked, however, and said we could hear something soon and isn't 100% sure it's going to happen, but did say, "I have been getting good indicators lately and we've heard that they [Sony Pictures] really like the first draft that we've turned it," which was about three weeks ago.

Rogen is known for being a comedic writer and actor, but he grew up watching action films which he says is one of his favorite genres. "My mother's favorite movies were 'Die Hard,' 'Total Recall,' 'Under Seige' I remember seeing in the movie theater when I was way too young to see it. I remember seeing 'Lethal Weapon 2' in the movie theater, so those are my favorite types of movies, really, so it's not hard at all for me to write action. It's really fun for me...With 'Green Hornet' it's our goal to show people action that they haven't quite seen before."

EW.com says The Green Hornet has been scheduled for a June 25, 2010 release.

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Posted by: AugustSlade on June 4, 2008 at 14:54:34

so who is gonna play the green hornet?

Posted by: the_ddb on June 4, 2008 at 15:00:37

i believe seth's gonna play the green hornet. that's pretty interesting what he wants to do with it..kind of reminds me of that image title sidekick. it'll be cool to see how "intense" the action will get

Posted by: WELLDONE on June 4, 2008 at 15:04:44

green hornet = weed as weed= seth rogan.

Posted by: WELLDONE on June 4, 2008 at 15:17:11

long as nobody spits on thier hand around jake it has a chance...........

Posted by: calvin on June 4, 2008 at 15:23:39

i think this could be great

Posted by: bill on June 4, 2008 at 15:39:20

don't care how good a script it is...seth as green hornet sucks...he needs to lose 40 lbs, the curly hair, and look like a playboy not a nerd...
can't believe they'd let that guy play britt reid.

Posted by: mick on June 4, 2008 at 15:53:33

of course seth is going to loose weight. he said it wont be a comedy

Posted by: Alfonso on June 4, 2008 at 15:57:48

A Twisted Metal movie would be awesome as a movie, assuming they did it right. The late Heath Ledger as Sweet Tooth anyone?

Back on topic, I know nothing of The Green Hornet. But, why should Seth Rogen be the star in everything he writes? Why not let somebody who looks more the part play the title role?

Posted by: The Watcher on June 4, 2008 at 15:57:51

Lame, We only watched Green Hornet to see Bruce Lee, otherwise it was a load of cr@p, no need to make this film.

Try making an original film Hollywood for a change.

Posted by: carl waethers on June 4, 2008 at 15:58:27

Does this fat idiot with an afro realize he has no frickin talent?

Posted by: acslaterson on June 4, 2008 at 15:58:44

Prince of Persia is being done by Disney, can't wait for a Pirates 3(sarcastic rolling of eyes).

Posted by: Metal MIke on June 4, 2008 at 16:11:41

I've seen The Green Hornet TV show on cable and I think an older actor would be better for the role...I guess Seth Rogen would make his version more funny or something..but based on the picture along with the article...I just can't see Seth playing that part...unless he is going to do a prequel (origin story) or something....I dunno....

Posted by: SteveG on June 4, 2008 at 16:30:36

Rogen as Green Hornet? A serious action film? This has BAD written all over it. Hope someone else gets a hold on this one.

Posted by: Mr. Mojo Risen on June 4, 2008 at 16:40:29

Shampoo is better! I go on first and clean the hair!

Conditioner is better! I leave the hair silky and smooth.

Oh, really fool??? REALLY?!

STOP STARING AT ME SWAN!!!

Posted by: M0V!E M@N!@C on June 4, 2008 at 16:41:06

I dont know about Seth Rogen as the green hornet. I mean hes a funny actor but the green hornet was more of a serious person. Sure he craked some jokes with Kato but Hornet was more of a serious crime fighter.Hes more batman than Flash thats all im saying. If you want to see the green hornet done right check out you-tube and type in: The Green Hornet - short movie. Now thats what the movie should look like in my opinion. By the way does anyone think that maybe Matt Damon would make a badass Hornet? All he needs is a few Krav Maga, Bazillian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing moves and damon would kick@ss.

Posted by: chilipalmer on June 4, 2008 at 16:45:44

attention seth rogen and jack black....
you guys are funny actors, not action stars.

Seth can't play green hornet anbd Jack can't play green latern. Both are rotund, loud, and kinda nasty looking (no offense). None of that describes a comic book hero.

WARNING!!!stay away from the superhero genre you will ruin it and yourself.

stick to comedy seth and jack. (Although, maybe, just maybe, Jacky B. could play the riddler?.?)

Strength and Honor Lads

Posted by: Curt Hennig on June 4, 2008 at 16:51:58

It's going to be Starsky and Hutch and martial arts thrown in the mix. It'll be funny and entertaining... if you care enough to read the internet about it they already sold you a ticket.

William H. Macy as Ned Flanders in a live action Simpsons movie. Now that's great casting...

Oh... and Al Pacino as Kato.... "HooooAAAHHHH!!!"

Posted by: calvan4 on June 4, 2008 at 16:58:48

OMG twisted metal game.... that would be amazing.

Posted by: Chili's Saviour on June 4, 2008 at 16:59:51

Dear Seth and Jack... do not do any superhero related genre's. It will highly upset Chili Palmer and destroy his faith in Hollywood. For the love of god... don't do it! If you do the movie please don't be comedic/entertaining in any way... also do not expose your rotund bellys... she/he finds it to be "nasty".

Yours truly...

Ray Barboni

Posted by: Steven The Comic Book Artist ! on June 4, 2008 at 16:59:56

Movie Maniac:

I saw that Green Hornet fan film sometime last year and immediately saved it in a folder on my favorites list. I'd love to see the Green Hornet done like that.

Still, I'd go see this one if it were an action/comedy. The thing he said about Kato (Bruce Lee) being better known had me thinking of the idea of The Green Hornet not being as skilled as Kato and trying (stress the word "trying") hard to keep up with his obviously superior sidekick. Plus I like his writing and sense of humor. Still...

I've always imagined a more serious Green Hornet. That vid on YouTube is cool and I'd rather see something along those lines.

The casting for the Green Hornet over the years has been interesting. At one time Greg Kinnear was mentioned (i don't know...), then Hugh Jackman and George Clooney were also mentioned around the time that Kevin Smith was working on the script.

By the way, anyone have any kind of a link to where I could possibly read Smith's script?I've tried to Google it, but to no avail. I'd love to get my sights on it.

I'll reserve judgement until I see a trailer or something.

---Later!

Posted by: Vinyer on June 4, 2008 at 17:16:54

yea like my man said a twisted metal movie would be awesome...if they 1. had the right cast 2. had an amazing story other than cars with guns and 3. if they took some of the mai characters and split the movie up and recreate everyone who wins story movie...twisted metal 2 was by far the best!
nice
wasnt kevin smith the orginal writer of green hornet? hmm

Posted by: Bo on June 4, 2008 at 17:28:00

I want to see a trailer first, before I make a decision.

Posted by: snikka snikka on June 4, 2008 at 17:29:49

I'm stupid...

Posted by: Katana Slasher on June 4, 2008 at 18:35:33

let me know if this site is for kids from 7 to 10 or something like that, and i'll leave to another site, for more mature people

Posted by: Deadpool on June 4, 2008 at 18:56:19

I say seth as green hornet.. awesome

Open up to ideas people..its not like they asked tobey mcguire..

Prince of persia movie however..will be interesting..jake isnt the greatest choice but still im interested alone with the story

Twisted Metal as a movie however ?...Umm whoever said Heath as a good idea for sweet tooth one, god rest his soul he's gone, two thats too much clown action, evil clown action at that..three terrible idea lol..and four a movie for that would be terrible, it would be like speed racer meets quentin tarantino's deathproof, deathproof had high speed car scene's while speed racer would bring in as a familiar franchise, so hell no twisted metal as a movie is a terrible idea and I love the series..

Yeah originality would be nice..and if you do adapt something, let it be something interesting, like a final fantasy (live action) or assassin's creed..Something that has action, drama and most importantly a in-depth story..

Sorry for the story, Im a indie filmmaker myself with lotz of ideas lolz

stay greasy

- W.W

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