I am not excited about this news.
We’ve already known for a while that Seth Rogen will be playing the Green Hornet in the movie of the same name. A while back word surfaced that Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle) had landed the role of Kato, the asian sidekick. Now comes word that Chow will be directing the film as well.
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Let’s get something straight: I am a HUGE Stephen Chow fan – I loved both of the above mentioned movies and offer up proof via my 5 star review of Kung Fu Hustle. I also like Seth Rogen, although I don’t worship at the altar of his comedy as so many other movie news sites seem to do.
On the other hand, I have very fond memories of the old Green Hornet TV series. It was on around the same time period as the old Batman show starring Adam West and Burt Ward. However while that show was light and fun and poked fun at itself, The Green Hornet served as a serious counterbalance as an attempt at a straight up action show.
Therefore I find it incredibly ironic that while Batman has gone the opposite direction of the original series – big time dark and serious with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Hollywood is taking The Green Hornet in the opposite direction as well: Comedy. (And yes, I know that Chris Nolan’s films had nothing to do with the 1960s TV show, but you get my point.)
Almost a full year ago, I passed along the fact that Seth Rogen was not sure whether the film would be very comedic or only slightly so. It looks to me like they’re going full-on comedy, and that makes me sad.
Consider who is involved with this movie:
- Evan Goldberg – Writer of Knocked Up, Superbad and Pineapple Express.
- Seth Rogen – Writer of Knocked Up, Superbad, Drillbit Taylor and Pineapple Express.
- Stephen Chow – Writer/Director of Kung Fu Hustle, writer of Shaolin Soccer.
I’m pretty sure they’ve decided which way to go as far as the tone of this movie.
Here’s what Chow had to say about taking on directorial duties:
“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,” Chow said. “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 suppose I should be relieved that at least Producer Neal Moritz doesn’t have a background in comedy.
I know that the target audience has most likely never seen the original version which starred Van Williams and Bruce Lee, and most people seem to be happy if not downright excited by all this – but dammit, I really wanted to see a serious take on this. If they did a straight-up Green Hornet I believe they’d have the possibility for a new movie franchise. I suppose they may still, but at this point it’s not one I really want to get behind.
The thing that annoys me about stories like this, is WHY look to an old series in order to do a remake and then have the new version bear little or no resemblance to the original?
The Green Hornet is currently scheduled for a June 25, 2010 release.
Source: Latino Review
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31 Comments
hehe, Your last point applies to ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’
A laugh riot comedy not so much this is what Rogan said about it.
“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.”
And you know Pineapple Express was a good action comedy, I think Rogan, Chow and everyone will put out a good movie. Word is Rogan has already started to get into shape for the movie, so it looks it’s not gonna be the fat version.
Well Vic (IMO), they want to ancor the remake to the source material, because “they got nothin else”,,,they hope the fans will be forgiving and look forward to a different take on the beloved original version.
This usually backfires and there left with nothing but falure in there B.O. returns…
Sometimes they screw the concept up so bad, it becomes a tangled mess and ruins everything…
^
^
Green Hornet,,,
They could go a few different ways with this character.
I guess one road would be a comedy. But (IMO), it seems like a cop out, and the scary beginning of a horrific trend.
Seth Rogan should be Kevin Smiths PA,,,
“Hey Rog, time for a Starbucks run!”,
“Kev dawg, no prob,!”,,, that’s it, nothing more.
Its like they had a secret retarded occult lottery for hacks to become a film producers, and he won…
Now unleashed on the public he’s free, and wild like a moronic stoned Godzilla roaming around making bad comedy movies…
The monster must have seen “Superhero Movie” and said, ” Graaaa, that would work with Green Hornet! Graa haahaa”
Mark my words:
If this becomes (even an average hit), more Superhero tv, and comic movie heroes will get the same treatment…
;-(
@Mike
You may very well end up being right – but I’m looking at the people involved here and I *know* studios’ penchant for twisting source material in some bizarre belief that they can bring a “new vision” to it.
Vic
I think that really will fall on budget, if it’s done on a relatively low one, the studio in all likely hood will leave Rogen and Chow alone to make the movie how they want.
I’ve said this before on my own blog, but let me follow up here:
There’s one really cool thing about the Green Hornet that EVERYONE seems to gloss over when they pitch the story/approach to the press. That is:
Everyone thinks the Green Hornet is a master criminal!
He’s wanted by the police, and hunted by the mob (either to join up in his “gang” or take him out before he takes over).
This premise does not scream “comedy.”
I for one was very excited when I heard that at one point Christopher McQuarrie was tackling the Hornet as an action-packed crime movie. That to me, would have been the best, most pure approach.
I like Stephen Chow’s directing. I think he’s a brilliant visual stylist. His work has energy and momentum. I just don’t want to see that wasted on a comedy about the Green Hornet. He’s better than that.
I see it kinda of like a buddy cop movie, the action will be played straight and the antagonist(s) will be a real threat. Like Rogen said the comedy will come from the relationship between Green Hornet and Kato.
Then again I never saw the TV show, so I don’t have that going against me seeing a concept coupled the talant involved.
The first episode, “The Silent Gun” is on You Tube.
And let’s be clear – the Hornet was a radio show, 2 serials and series of comics long before he was a TV series in the states and a rip off Hong Kong martial arts movie in the 80’s (where the Hornet was an actor in a Kato costume).
He has a long history of everyone being afraid of the Hornet. He’s also the great grandnephew of The Lone Ranger.
Buddy cop movie doesn’t make it any better sounding in my mind. No offense, Mike.
at least they’re not going to make it a high-school romantic comedy like dragonball… hopefully.
BORRRRRRR RING !!!!!
Give me a break… The Shadow in Green was always my take on GH anyway…
Chow can do drama as well as comedy. His work, all of it not just the 2 ones people know him for in the West, is usually a mix of melodrama and comedy. If he toned it down a bit it would be a perfect blend for The Green Hornet.
But Rogen? Hmm, I am full of trepidation too.
That said we have had comedians do drama well. But we’ve also heard empty studio promises way too often.
Everyone thinks the Green Hornet is a master criminal!
He’s wanted by the police, and hunted by the mob (either to join up in his “gang” or take him out before he takes over).
This premise does not scream “comedy.”
In Hong Kong it would. But they have different sensibilities to us Westerners.
I’ve waite for a lifetime for a good remake of this great series but I have no words as to how disappointed I am about this. I kept hoping that things would change in the development, but it looks like another car wreck of a movie. SG is marginal at best and is fading fast (and not even that funny.) At best maybe a C-List Actor and not deserving of the hype about him. Ok, my opinion but I’m betting that I’m not alone on this one. I’m sure that Fans will ignore this in droves and it may ‘make its nut’ back on Netflix rentals. I’m really sorry to see the way this is going and I don’t have the words to tell you how bad I feel about this project.
Is there anyway to stop/kill/delay/change it?
I won’t even waste a Repulsor Blast on this one. It wouldn’t explode, it would just melt away….
“To Peace.” – Stark
The Green Hornet remak a comedy? Has Hollywood finally flipped or have they opened up their executive positions to morons? I watched TGH when I was a child and loved the show. Frankly the two “actors” chosen to play Britt Reed and Kato couldn’t hold a candle to the originals (Van Williams and the great Bruce Lee). This idea sounds about as brilliant as the idea of having Jim Cary play The Six Million Dollar Man. Fortunately studio execs smartened up and dropped this idea. My advice to Hollywood, either do TGH justice or leave it alone! I’m tired of watching my favorite series and movies re-made to look sub-par and stupid. If Hollywood is that desperate for ideas and writers maybe they should pack it in!
It just seems so…odd that they would take this approach (meaning making it a buddy action movie leavened with humor) when IRON MAN and DARK KNIGHT are kicking asses at the box office. Yes, both movies had moments of humor/sarcasm but both dug deep into the broken, twisted psyches of guys who put on costumes and go out at night and fight crime.
“The thing that annoys me about stories like this, is WHY look to an old series in order to do a remake and then have the new version bear little or no resemblance to the original?”
And yet it worked so well for John Carpenter’s THE THING. It worked so well for ST: NG (and don’t tell me different! Picard is no Kirk, Data is no Spock, Crusher is no Bones, La Forge is no Scotty, and Wesley is no… uh… Sulu?). It worked so well for the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA reboot.
I think childhood memory betrays you here, Vic (as a child, I was scared of THE GREEN SLIME. Sheesh!). The old TV Green Hornet was quite camp and droll. DVD copies are still available at most comic book conventions (Don’t anyone bring up the Pirate Bogeyman. Who is losing money if no one legitimate is selling it? And who really wants a cruddy knock off if they could get a clean, sharp, legit copy?) and they’ll refresh your memory. Clips are also available at YouTube.
Seth doesn’t expect Green Hornet to be just a comedy, or else he wouldn’t have Stephen Chow, who is renown for making action comedies, onboard as the director. Rogen wants to do another action movie like Pineapple Express (he said so during the PE junkets), only with more fun and more action.
And Chow’s no fool, he’s been acting and directing great movies for over ten years (You haven’t seen Chow’s God Of Cookery? You GOTTA see God of Cookery!) and is a HUGE Bruce Lee fan.
So have a little optimism here!
Feo –
The TV Hornet was not camp and that is what killed it during that period. Everyone was expecting to laugh and couldn’t because the show had a serious approach.
THE THING goes back to the original short story “Who goes there?” which was filled with dread and atmosphere.
BSG took the core concept – a civilization in ruins and on the run from the enemy, and took that to its logical, dramatic conclusion.
All I’m asking is that the filmmakers remain true to the spirit – the core concept – of the original radio and TV shows. That’s the movie I want to see. NOT a movie featuring a guy who doesn’t fit the role of Britt Reid and who is known for slapstick, farcical comedy.
@Feo
First, welcome to the site.
And Bill makes a good point, there’s changing something while being faithful to the spirit and then there’s turning it on its head.
But yeah, my memories do influence my outlook on this – but why not? It’s my memories they’re targeting, otherwise they could call it something completely different.
Vic
Thanks Vic,
Even as a kid I thought GH was goofball. Not trying to mess with anyone’s head but, these are actual clips from the series on YouTube so you tell me.
If you still feel that this was a serious dramatic TV series, then we’ll have to disagree and leave it at that.
Ah, no embedded files. Okay, just do a search on Green Honret on YouTube, watch a few (especially where they cross-over team-up with Batman and Robin).
The Green Hornet crossover was only on the Batman show. It was an attempt by the network and 20th Century Fox to make the Hornet campy after it had established itself in a more serious vein.
The campy aspect didn’t work.
I’m one of the first people to say that some aspects of the GH show don’t work for today’s audiences. The sixties emphasis on color and mod music are dated. Likewise some of the story premises which today are laughable.
But Bruce Lee, who does make the occasional joke in the show is not a goofball. Neither is Van Williams. Still doesn’t work for you?
Try this instead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6baKbRQrt4
This is a french short film that uses the GH character. While not perfect by any means – it shows the potential of a serious approach to the character. They mix in some cool fight stunt work.
Can you see Seth Rogen doing this?
LOL, Bill you keep giving away my answers.
Batman/GH crossover episodes are NOT a good example of the tone of the overall show.
Vic
Sorry. I am very comfortable jumping right into the mosh pit of “important debate” surrounding my childhood icons.
;D
Seth Rogen as the Green Hornet is not a movie I want to see. The guy should know better, but I guess as Long as he thinks he can make a buck by goofing around He probably could care less. THe Green Hornet is not a comedy. If Rogen wants to do a comedy, do something original. Ben Stiller ruined Starsky and Hutch and Rogen will ruin this property! I hate the idea of this movie!
It’s a miracle anything gets made!
Since it’s a good bet a script isn’t even hammered out yet, little lone approved, what ends up on screen is anybodies guess. Additionally a lot, maybe most, directors don’t have final cut. So there’s always that. If Mr. Rogen doesn’t take the pulse of the people on the net, perhaps a producer will. Fat chance right, well, lets hope anyway. It’s not unheard of to re shoot most of a movie, despite todays costs.
I am protesting this film already. I can imagine the whole film’s plot now. Kato and GH are smoking pot, and they decide to go to the store for more cheetoes. A girl is getting mugged, and Kato karate chops them. They’re declared heroes, and while they discuss penises, they have a large group of hookers giving them lapdances and smoking-surprise- more pot. So the source material is respected to this degree: they “fight crime.” I hate you Seth Rogen. Chow, I thought you were better than this.
“I hate you Seth Rogen. Chow, I thought you were better than this.”
So… you hate Seth Rogan and you are disappointed in Chow based entirely on a movie you imagined?
This is a joke, right?
@ Feo:
We see the light at the end of the Green Hornet tunnel…
And yes, it is an oncoming comedy train.
Will someone please send me the script for the Christopher McQuarrie (THE USUAL SUSPECTS, WAY OF THE GUN) version of GH?
Anyone?
Beuller?
I think it’s a great decision, meaning, there’s good possibility that it COULD pan out and be successful.
You have to consider the entertainment value of things nowadays. There’s a reason why Seth Rogen is consistantly showing up on the big screens. He’s heavily associated with Sony. After 3 or 4 of Seth’s successful films, he has earned the right to go a different direction in his career. He’s sure to know he’s already exhausting the over-exposed his comedy humors thus far. They are all pretty similar. It’s time for a new direction for him. I am sure he will be careful in making the switch.
GH itself is like feathers comparing its weight to the like of Batman/Dark Knight is in our culture. Therefore, it opens up a lot directions that the film can go.
Chow has been good with his latest films. And knowing him, he takes every single project very seriously. making (participating) in only one project, at a time. Also, he completely idolizes Bruce Lee. Especially as GH is the stage where Bruce Lee first showed cased his talents, Chow understands the historic importance of it, I am also certain he will as devoted as ever to make sure it will be a good film.
Then let not forget it’s Sony that calling the shots. No one like to waste money, it will have entertainment value. I am just excited how melodramatic and comedy of two different styles btw Rogan & Chow will be like. An indeed, a mess of two diffent character combo, just like the pilot of GH.
You guys keep gushing over what a great TV show the Green Hornet was with the “original” Green Hornet and Kato. The real “originals” were Al Hodges (Captain Video) and Raymond Hayashi on radio. The TV show you keep calling great and original lasted only one season. The radio show started in 1936 and ran until 1952. What does that tell you?
I know you guys are young, but that’s no excuse for not doing your research. All you had to do was go to Wikipedia. It’s not too late. Do it now if you are really interested in the origin of The Green Hornet.
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