The Green Hornet movie has been hanging around for a while, first as an unsuccessful attempt at a Kevin Smith action picture (before Smith admitted that having him direct an action picture was probably a ghastly idea), and then as a rumored vehicle for Seth Rogen, confirming that this is a movie that can only be attached to chubby funny men. Now, however, comes more promising news: Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow will both co-star as Kato, the Hornet’s kung fu sidekick, and direct the movie, which has been written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
Whereas Rogen’s involvement in an action movie summoned only visions of the Zone Diet, Chow’s could be hellacool. Chow’s KUNG FU HUSTLE is one of our favorite movies of the decade, a marvelous souffle of music, action, fantasy and strong storytelling. His previous SHAOLIN SOCCER is another cult delight. His most recent flick, CJ7 got middling reviews, but we haven’t seen it yet, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
The role of Kato was previously played, in the TV series, by Bruce Lee, a fact not lost on Chow:
“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,” the Hong Kong native said.
Anyway, sometimes we wonder why all comic book movie sites write about GREEN HORNET, anyway. The character wears a mask, sure, but he originated as a radio serial. There have been lots of Green Hornet comics, but he’s not, strictly speaking, a “comic book character,” if you know what we mean. Anyway, we always wanted more reasons to write about Stephen Chow, so it’s all good.
We really enjoyed CJ7.
Seth Rogen and EVAN Goldberg :)
CJ7 is a great kids movie.
Since they got Stephen Chow to play Kato an direct the movie, I’m guessing the plot involves Kato doing all the work and heavy lifting to keep Rogen’s Green Hornet from screwing up ala Inspector Gadget.
I guess I’m too old to appreciate Seth Rogen’s humor. I really dislike the kinds of characters he has played and can’t stand the movies in which he has starred, and therefore the idea that he will portray Britt Reid/Green Hornet bothers me immensely. I don’t think that Chow’s involvement as Kato and as director will be quite enough to make me want to see this movie. I have enjoyed the radio serial (I have recordings), the TV show (which made me fall in love with Bruce Lee – I was 11! It’s allowed!), and the comics (Gold Key and Now).
Tricky. I agree with Kat–I’m not a huge fan of Rogen’s movie career (tho’ I worshipped him in “Freaks and Geeks”).
But Chow! That’s another story completely. SHAOLIN SOCCER was one of the most creative and innovative, not to mention funniest, movies I’ve ever seen. KUNG FU HUSTLE didn’t have quite the same charm, but it was still pretty good. Chow’s involvement could lift this project into another sphere.
He’s also pretty good at directing fat guys.
“Whereas Rogen’s involvement in an action movie summoned only visions of the Zone Diet”
Wow, that’s… kind of mean? And wasn’t Pineapple Express an action movie?
The fact that Seth Rogen is going to get dogged for not living up to the example set by, uh, Van Williams, while most of those same people are going to be totally cool with the admittedly great Stephen Chow putting on the mask of one of the five great icons of 20th Century world cinema?
THAT’s Seth’s Rogen’s humor.
CJ7 is just fine, by the way, although I’m more of a God of Cookery guy than a Soccer/Hustle fan. It’s clearly intended to be a movie for kids and an homage to ET, but some of the gags are great and I didn’t miss some of the usual Chow predilections.
We actually went on a marathon of Netflixing every Stephen Chow movie with subtitles, and there are a bunch of winners besides Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle that never got any press in the U.S. I don’t remember the names of any of them, and they all have essentially the same story, but who cares–he’s a gem.
Stephen Chow is THE MAN. After watching SHAOLIN SOCCER and KUNG FU HUSTLE, there’s no way I can pass up this project now.
“Anyway, sometimes we wonder why all comic book movie sites write about GREEN HORNET, anyway. The character wears a mask, sure, but he originated as a radio serial.”
Yes, but the same can be said for Tarzan, Zorro, Sherlock Holmes, and the Lone Ranger. All of them originated in different media — magazine fiction and radio drama — before moving into comics. But just try and stop comic fans from writing about them.
Besides, the Green Hornet is all kindsa cool …
I was a fan of the radio show first, due to my father’s storytelling of the old shows he used to listen to as a kid and teen. Told y’all I’m old. On the TV show, at least Williams didn’t act like a buffoon. The show didn’t totally camp things up the way Batman did with Adam West – mostly thanks to Bruce Lee. And in the comics, Britt/Green Hornet was a hero, not just someone there to make Bruce Lee’s Kato look good.
Re: Tom’s comment:
I think Seth Rogen should be dogged for not living up to the portrayal of Gordon Jones.
But then I also thought Alec Baldwin shoulda been dogged for not doing as well as Victor Jory.
Cue imdb hookups.
DAMN YOU YET TO BE MADE MOVIE AS IT EXISTS IN MY HEAD
I loved Kung Fu Hustle and I frequently listen to the soundtrack too, great stuff! I watched CJ7 with my 4 girls (aged 8 to 13) and we all enjoyed it with the exception of some of the ‘discipline’ inflicted on the son and the little alien in the movie, but otherwise a very enjoyable family film. I will be on the lookout for Chow’s other movies and will be looking forward to The Green Hornet!
What a farce. Letting these two comedians take the reins of a serious character like the Green Hornet. Fran Striker will be turning in his grave.
Ditto what Kit Kan said.
As a kid I listened to a lot of old time radio in the mid-seventies – or I should say, what remained of it and I always remember listening to the Green Hornet on Monday nights, as well as the Shadow and the Lone Ranger. The only new shows that were still on while growing up were the Fantastic Four (with Bill Murray as the Human Torch), CBS Radio Mystery Theater with E.G. Marshall, and some Sci-fi show called Alien Worlds – which I believe to this day you can listen to on a Sirius radio station somewhere.
So to paraphrase: I go equally nuts for movies made from this genre.
~
Coat
“What a farce. Letting these two comedians take the reins of a serious character like the Green Hornet. Fran Striker will be turning in his grave. ”
YEAH! Everybody knows funny people can’t do serious films!!!!
Cary: “So to paraphrase: I go equally nuts for movies made from this genre.”
I hate to be picky, but…
Medium, not genre.
(At least now comic books aren’t the only medium to have been thought of as a “genre.”)
Kat Kan: “On the TV show, at least Williams didn’t act like a buffoon. The show didn’t totally camp things up the way Batman did with Adam West — mostly thanks to Bruce Lee.”
Ok … stop right there. Van Williams was terrific as Britt Reid. Bruce Lee played Kato, and he was terrific, but he was not responsible for the show being played straight.
William Dozier, the executive producer of BATMAN, intended for the Hornet to be played seriously all along. Van Williams wouldn’t agree to Britt Reid/Hornet role until he was assured that it would NOT be like the BATMAN show.
I agree that Lee was perfect as Kato — you give credit where credit is due. But you don’t take the credit away from the other guys just because you’re a fan of Lee.
Having said that, I hope these guys actually make a Green Hornet film, and NOT a Kung-Fu movie with the Hornet making a cameo.
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