Even though Stephen Chow dropped out as the director of the Seth Rogen Green Hornet film, it looked like he was still going to be on board for Kato. Then came word last week that the company was searching for a no-name to play the sidekick to the wealthy action hero.
In an interview with Ain’t It Cool News, Rogen said
We are reading many, many people from all over the globe, and it is a wild adventure. We’re just looking everywhere, honestly. We’re looking at people who are really famous overseas, and we’re looking at people who are completely unknown. We’re looking at people who are American. We’re looking at people who are martial arts experts. We’re also looking at people who don’t do any martial arts, and who do Broadway and are actors. We know what we want. And there’s some wiggle room. We’re the type of writers who can easily adapt the roles to whoever is playing it. We’ve done that on every movie we’ve ever written. But we know how we want the relationships to work, and so someone needs to fill that general role. It’s been really interesting, I can say that. You meet these people, and you’re like, “You are clearly famous in Korea! I can see from 100 feet away that you are the most famous person in whatever country you’re from!” (Laughs) And I just feel bad that we make them read with us.
Even though the production seems to be in trouble, it is moving ahead full steam with news that Nic Cage is in talks to play the big bad in the action comedy flick.
4 Comments
Why doesn’t the Green Hornet get any respect?
When Kevin Smith was attached, he wanted to do a comedy. Reports said Stephen Chow wanted to do a comedy as well.
Well, I’m not really sad about Stephen Chow dropping out. I would rather they take their time and find actors who get the role and the legacy of the characters than get somebody just because they are big in their home country. Personally, I enjoyed the NOW comics (have all the first series, the hardback and about half of the second) and liked their handling of the character. It was nice to see a female Kato for a while.
But, if we where to cast the role of Kato based purely on martial arts ability and popularity, who about Tony Jaa? His movies I’ve seen have been pretty generic, but he has some amazing moves!
Does anyone know if this will be a period piece (set in the 40’s) or if they will drop it modern day?
Why doesn’t the Green Hornet get any respect?
When Kevin Smith was attached, he wanted to do a comedy. Reports said Stephen Chow wanted to do a comedy as well.
Nobody really knows what he’s about anymore. Hence, the constant revisioning and use of the character as a placeholder for other characters. What most people know about the Hornet is that Bruce Lee was on it, and they think it was like the Batman TV show.
I am kinda hoping that, as long as Seth Rogen is attached, this never gets made.
Wow…Nic Cage… I think I saw his career on the back of a milk carton recently.