The Los Angeles Times reports that actor Seth Rogen, who played in the hit comedy Knocked Up, has signed a deal with Columbia Pictures to write and likely star in The Green Hornet.
The Green Hornet began as a radio show in the 1930s, the conception of Lone Ranger creators George W. Trendle and Fran Striker. The costumed crimefighter and his sidekick Kato went on to appear in two Universal movies in the 1940s, comic books and, most famously, the 1966 television series starring Van Williams and Bruce Lee.
Columbia optioned the rights to the superhero property back in March. Previously, it had been at Universal and Miramax, the latter with Kevin Smith writing and directing.
Rogen’s Green Hornet is set for a 2009 release.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Um…
He’s not exactly…
Y’know…
Isn’t he too…
Oh, hell, I wonder who’s playing Kato…
July 20th, 2007 at 9:35 am
People, actors especially, CAN get into shape. I’ve never seen him in anything, so, I’ll wait ‘n see.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:43 am
remember what it says, “likely star” who knows, he could play mike axeford.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Well, this is great news for us Rogen fans, but maybe not-so-great news for Green Hornet fans. I’ve been a fan of this cat since his “Freaks and Geeks” days, and he has some damn fine comedic chops, both acting and writing. Of course, since we have hardly any info to go on, it’s kindly hard to know how they intend to approach the subject matter, but since he is part of the Judd Apatow crew, chances are it’ll be a comedy. For those wondering, he is one of the writers of the upcoming “Superbad,” so I recommend checking out the trailer to get a handle on his style.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I sincerely hope the “likely to star” is wrong…but it probably isn’t.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I just hope it’s not a spoof. I had hoped for a period piece.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:24 am
If you’ve seen “Freaks and Geeks” you’ll know Rogen has fantastic acting abiliies. He can do drama and comedy. That said, I’d rather Green Hornet not be a spoof. If you’re gonna do that just tell us now so we can ignore it. I’m not saying it should be totally serious but any attempt at spoofing superheroes just comes off as bad imitations of Mystery Men. “My Super-Ex Girlfriend” anyone?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Maybe it will be like the old show. Where GH is captured all the time and has Kato save him and do all the work.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Maybe it will be like the old show. Where GH is captured all the time and has Kato save him and do all the work.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I like the guy, he makes me laugh, but I just do not see this.
I hope it’s not some sort of campy farce that ruins the Green Hornet for me
But if he is going to make a serious movie, his ass needed to be in the gym as of last week to get ready for this role
July 20th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
…Huh.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
No no and no. The TV show Green Hornet was so damned campy, the only thing that saved it was Bruce Lee as Kato. I was a KID when I watched the show, and I could sense that! I picked up recordings of some of the old radio show - much better. And the NOW comics - even better. I do NOT want any kind of a comedy/spoof take on Green Hornet. I want the real thing, man. If this guy Rogen does it (and I don’t like him, sorry, not into his kind of comedy) I won’t watch it. Same way I refused to watch the Starsky and Hutch movie. Green Hornet and Kato both have to be great heroes. My own opinion of course, but based on loving the characters for more than 40 years.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
i don’t know why everybody is getting so excited about this. the green hornet project has fell through numerous times. annoucements like this happen all the time in hollywood. anyone remember jack black as the green lantern?
July 20th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
If it’s a spoof, it could be awesome.
Seth Rogen rocks.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
The folks that own the rights to the Green Hornet are VERY picky about how the character is handled, so I would not expect a farcical version to go over. I cannot see a comedy version of this character going over, just as I would never expect to see a comic version of the Lone ranger or Tarzan. Too much money rides on the character being basically true to the original version, albeit with some updating for political correctness & ret-con facts.
Anyone remember when NOW Comics tried to create a female version of Kato? Quickly squashed by the owners when they found out, and the Bruce Lee Kato version was re-established(necessitating spinning the female Kato into the Crimson Wasp.)
July 20th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Considering they tapped Kevin Smith and now Seth Rogen to write this, it seems like a good chance they want this to be a comedy.
Maybe that’s the real reason Smith dropped out. He possibly wanted to do something serious, but the producers wanted more gags.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
He just needs to get the fuck out of the way while Jet Li or Tony Jaa as Kato take care of business — after all this IS “The Kato Movie”.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
While it would be nice to see a serious version of the film, the simple reality will be that the film would likely come and go as a generic action adventure film based on a third-rate superhero franchise. Just look at films like The Shadow, The Phantom, or even the recent Daredevil film.
At least with Rogan, you have a guy who has a distinct and strong comedy voice, with some passable acting chops to go with it. Will he make it a straight-out comedy? Maybe. Will it be in the very least an entertaining film? Most certainly.
July 21st, 2007 at 12:29 am
There is zero chance of this being a period piece. The Shadow, The Phantom, and Sky Captain tanked, Dick Tracy and The Rocketeer underperformed. Period is the kiss of death for superhero movies as far as Hollywood executives are concerned.
It seems like, based on the people involved now and those who’ve come and gone in the past, they want this to be, if not an outright comedy, then something light and Fantastic Four-like.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:37 am
AHHH! I like this guy, but the hornet has got to be done as a serious character. Not as soem third rate charater but as real character who can stand his groudn against batman.
I’ve been writing a screenplay about the hornet. Trust me, if I get my shot. The hornet will be done right.