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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30 Comments
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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