Chow to Direct and Star in Green Hornet!

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Chow to Direct and Star in Green Hornet!

Source:Columbia Pictures

September 19, 2008

Stephen Chow, one of Asia's most popular box-office draws as the award-winning star and director of such films as Kung Fu Hustle, CJ7, and Shaolin Soccer, will direct Seth Rogen and star opposite him as Kato in Columbia Pictures' The Green Hornet, set for release June 25, 2010, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures. The screenplay is by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, who will also executive produce. Neal H. Moritz is the producer through his Original Film production company.

In tapping Chow to helm The Green Hornet, Sony Pictures Entertainment continues a long association with the star and director. Under its local language initiative, Sony co-produced and released Chow's Kung Fu Hustle, which went on to gross over $100 million worldwide and received a Golden Globe® nomination as well as six Hong Kong Film Awards and five Taiwan Golden Horse Awards. Sony also released CJ7.

Commenting on the announcement, Tolmach said, "When Seth, Evan, and Neal said they wanted Stephen Chow to be part of 'The Green Hornet,' it was a fantasy. Now that it's happening, it's almost too good to be true. Stephen's been a very important part of the Sony family for many years, so it's truly serendipitous for us to be moving forward with him directing the movie and starring as Kato."

Chow added, "I'm excited to be taking on 'The Green Hornet' -- obviously, I've been a huge fan of the show since I was a kid. The idea of stepping into Bruce Lee's shoes as Kato is both humbling and thrilling, and to get the chance to direct the project as my American movie debut is simply a dream come true. I'm grateful to my friends at Sony, who have shown so much faith in me for so many years. I'm looking forward to working with Seth, Evan, Neal, and the team at Sony, and I'm eager to get started."

Moritz said, "'The Green Hornet' is a dream project and it's come together in a dream way. Seth will be fantastic in the lead role, and Stephen was the only name on the list for Kato. The material is a perfect match for his sensibilities -- Stephen in the director's chair is the best thing for the film."

Rogen said, "Stephen was always my and Evan's first choice for director and to play Kato. We just hope that he never finds out we're not the Wachowski Brothers."

Ori Marmur will serve as the Executive Producer of the film.

Chow previously told us of his interest in the project. "When I saw the program, I thought it was a great role and thought it was outstanding, because I'm Chinese and it's Bruce Lee, but I'd be happy to play that role," he said.

Later, we asked Seth Rogen about approaching Chow, who answered, "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."

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Posted by: you on September 19, 2008 at 16:21:51

primero

Posted by: batmanlegend on September 19, 2008 at 16:22:07

thats great news chow is a great director

Posted by: lenn martin on September 19, 2008 at 16:22:10

first

Posted by: Mike on September 19, 2008 at 16:22:24

Sounds like a winning combination to me.

Posted by: poopy j on September 19, 2008 at 16:27:23

Cool! Its official. I just hope its not cheesy action like Kung fu hustle or that The Green Hornet is a pot head... though That would still make it a great comedy!!!

Posted by: mud on September 19, 2008 at 16:29:19

Seth Rogen couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag.

Posted by: The_Descendent_of_the_Shang+_Dynasty on September 19, 2008 at 16:40:39

In honor of Master Bruce Lee I hope they make Chow the Hornet.

Posted by: jrobert on September 19, 2008 at 16:58:13

The Green Hornet could be a good movie.It all depends on what route they choose to go with it.Either it could be a Superhero movie that takes itself seriously enough for the audience to take it seriously or they just go the light comedic route and camp it up and still make a good film.

With someone like Seth Rogen in the lead obviously the latter would be the way to go.Kato could be funny,but he doesn`t have to be.
Having Kato play it absolutely straight would counteract Rogen and that by itself could result in humorous and action-filled hijinks.

Posted by: Silver on September 19, 2008 at 17:00:12

This could be very good. I'd go and see it

Posted by: ComicFan 1129 on September 19, 2008 at 17:13:01

The Green Hornet as a comedy? No thanks.I'll see it when I can see it for free.

Posted by: Steve the Dude on September 19, 2008 at 17:14:15

It's official: This will suck !!! Neither Seth Rogen or Sterphen Chow come even close to filling the shoes of Van Williams and BRuce Lee. This news is disgusting. This has GOT to be stopped. NOW !!!

Posted by: CHEZ on September 19, 2008 at 17:17:01

I am sick and tired of superhero comedies/spoofs, they are just not funny or worth a ticket price.

Posted by: Tyrone on September 19, 2008 at 17:20:50

I'm not that well versed on his work, but I did see Kung Fu hustle and wasn't impressed but I liked the movie well enough. I don't mind humor, but Van Williams and Bruce Lee set the bar pretty high, so hopefully they won't mess it up. Rogan looks pudgy, but with a good tailoring job he might be able to pass, but I doubt it. That leaves it to chow to sell it for me and let's just say I have an open min. RIP Sigung Bruce Lee.

Posted by: Collin on September 19, 2008 at 17:32:08

A ugly frizzy headed dumpy Green Hornet, and lots of comedy! YAY! CAMP IS BACK, YA'LL!

Posted by: kevlar on September 19, 2008 at 17:36:33

im really psyched about this movie. i jus hope it isnt too much of a comedy and more true to the original source. i think chow is a great choice for cato and to direct, there should be alot of good fight sequences throughout this one.

Posted by: Steve the Dude on September 19, 2008 at 17:40:19

The Green Hornet has the potential to be even better than Batman:the Dark knight. Not anymore with Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow. This will make Batman and Robin look like Citizen Kane.

Posted by: j on September 19, 2008 at 18:06:00

My hopes are up more, but I am still iffy. I mean I just think Rogen is a bit to young, and also a bit chubby though you dont need a ripped Hornet.

Posted by: Xybalba on September 19, 2008 at 18:14:45

...man oh man...i have the Green Hornet serial and i was watching it a couple days back...im not afraid of seeing Chow as Kato...he will make the moves and will fascinate us...but on the other hand...just imagining Seth as Green Hornet give me the chills...

Posted by: Thatguy on September 19, 2008 at 18:16:40

This is good news. I think this has potential if done the right way. Chow is a definate plus.

Posted by: Shi Don Yu on September 19, 2008 at 18:29:47

They're going to make this one for laughs, aren't they? It'll be even worse than the old "Batman" TV series. Count me OUT!
Seth Rogen is NOT even close to Britt Reed!

Posted by: who? on September 19, 2008 at 18:30:42

this is cool, with chow directing, they can do away with all the stereotypical asian jokes and not turn this movie into a Rush Hour clone.

Posted by: Harish on September 19, 2008 at 19:00:51

This news def. makes it more intriguing, first time I've felt hot on the film.

Posted by: Anakin on September 19, 2008 at 19:20:17

I'm with Steve the Dude on this. This has failure all written over it until they can find an unknown martial arts actor that can properly fill in Bruce Lee's part.

Posted by: Fanboiii on September 19, 2008 at 19:29:48

Seth Rogen is a joke, but Stephen Chow rules. It's going to be a toss up.

Posted by: Fanboiii on September 19, 2008 at 19:31:06

People are stupid wanting another Bruce Lee. There will never be another Bruce Lee.

In terms of film presence and action, Stephen Chow is great in his own right.

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