Seth Rogen Explains The Green Hornet Villain

Yesterday we reported on the news that Nicolas Cage is in early talks to star in the upcoming comic-book movie, The Green Hornet. But beyond that, we didn’t get any details on just what villain might be apart from the fact that he’s some sort of gangster-type character. However, today we get word from lead actor Seth Rogen, who describes just what The Green Hornet villain is all about.

Rogen spoke to MTV about the role Cage will be playing, explaining the reasoning behind having a newly-created villain instead of bringing back one that’s already been established in The Green Hornet universe. Here’s what the actor had to say:

“There was no classic villain, so we had to create a villain… [he's] not over-the-top. We wanted him to be very scary… We don’t feel that that’s where the comedy in the movie should come from, necessarily.”

Rogen also talked to MTV about the current status of The Green Hornet and described the film as being in, “heavy pre-production.” He says that they’re currently, “writing and building sets,” as well as, “coordinating the stunts and fights and chases…It’s crazy,” he added.

I guess Rogen’s explanation suggests what type of performance we can expect from Cage as The Green Hornet’s foe (if he gets the gig, that is) – the character sounds like the perfect showcase for the version of Cage we’ve seen in films like Wild at Heart, Face/Off and Kiss of Death. I can put to rest some of the worries I had when this casting news first emerged yesterday.

However, on the whole I’m still quite worried about The Green Hornet as the cons still far outweigh the pros, the biggest point of issue being the now-lack of Stephen Chow. But nonetheless the project isn’t a total disaster in my eyes – at least we have the creative mind of Michel Gondry at the helm.

Now we just need to know who’s going to replace Chow as Kato…

What do you think about Nic Cage’s ’scary villain’ role in The Green Hornet?

The Green Hornet is scheduled to hit theatres on July 9th, 2010.

Sources: MTV Splash Page via ThePlaylist

Tags: green hornet

Ash Ali

I'm sorry, without Chow, I'm not looking forward to this film, nor do I plan on seeing it now. Hell, the only reason I'm seeing "Funny People" is because of Apatow and Sandler, not Rogen.

John "Kahless" Taylor

I'd like to know why Chow bailed. Something just tells me this will be a disaster. I wouldn't be surprised if it got canned.

DonIsGood

Seth Rogen is the Green Hornet? Surely this can't be a comedy, right?

Like others, I've lost interest in this now that Chow is no more...

mike w

well, since bruce lee played the original kato, how about the actor who played bruce lee in the biopic- "dragon" (was that what it was called?) Jason Scott Lee (or was it Leigh) i believe is his name....

mike w

or jet li?? though kato is supposed to be japanese, so maybe a japanese actor should be cast...

mike w

though i'm sure johnny depp is being considered...

neontiger21

Um, I feel stupid asking this, but who is Stephen Chow? Because I've never heard of him but people seem very passionate about his absence from the film.

John "Kahless" Taylor

@neontiger
Ever heard of Kung Fu Hustle or Shaolin Soccer? Those were Stephen Chow films.

790

"Kung Fu Hustle" is a must see, btw!!! Really cool film!!!

Why does this all sound familiar? Oh yeah this pre movie buzz sounds a lot like when we all heard that MCG was casting Bale as John Connor. ;-)
We all know how great that turned out.

Mighty Joe Young

Kahless, Chow bailed because he wanted to make the film an over the top comedy like Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle, however the studio felt it would work better as either a comedy/drama hybrid (i.e. Iron Man) or a straight up Drama. As a result, Stephen Chow is now making his own superhero comedy film based on an original character. Jack Black is attached to star in it, but I don't think anything's set in stone quite yet.

stuntmanJ

Rogen explaining the villain, it's like a joke, if you have to explain it, it's not funny...or good.

John "Kahless" Taylor

JACK BLACK???!!! Oh my goodness! I hate him more than Rogen. Well, I don't hate them, I just feel they're not that funny.

Tim "Cloverfield"

Kato was first Japanese, then Filipino and Korean,....and finally described as Asian. The GH has been around since the 1930's and the political situations dictated who and where Kato was from. WWII, the Korean war, etc. Even the great Mike Wallace led his voice to the Green Hornet The film serials in the 40's added more mystery to Brett Reid and as we all know, was related to the Lone Ranger. And yes, there was already a female Kato Since Rogen has no need for research to trash our Hero, he now has to create a villian? WTF??! It was organized crime that was the Hornet's foe. As a life long and mature fan of the GH....I cannot tell you how much this hurts. It is pretty obvious why Mr. Chow left this project....Rogen himself. And I think stuntmanj said it best in actually describing Rogen's history in the cinema. As far as Cage and "adaption"....again, look at ehe cast, the director for christ sakes Streep, Cooper for starters....every single film Cage is called "brilliant". in...the supporting cast is brilliant, the director is brilliant and Cage always delivers a sub-par performance. Any one in frame steals the scene. Makes you wonder why Uncle Francis never directed his little nephew. hmmmm? The GH with Rogen must be stopped or your looking at another "Observe and Report".

JoeJoe

And they said Mary Jane never destroys your brain.

rocket europa

Yeah, you're right, the cons still outweigh the pros.Especially with Rogen in the title role. This production reminds me of two immmature gen X-er's given a pile of money, allowed to do whatever they want:"Oh I wanna be a superhero,let's play Green Hornet!!"Lose as much weight as he wants Rogen will NEVER be Britt Reid and not recognizing that fact shows how much in trouble this project REALLY is.
Who I really blame is SONY for not recognizing this fact and putting tons of cash into this wayward venture.
You can polish a turd, but it is still a turd.

790

Lol, or in this case,,, "You can polish a turd, but its still Seth Rogen." ;-)

Its like casting Billy Joel as Tony Stark in the musical comedy Iron Man.

Tim "Cloverfield"

Rocket and 790! Great posts.....I am serious, the only thing this doomed O and R II needs is to cast Stiller as Kato. Perfect 790...Or casting N. Cage as Superman I mean....oppsss, umm...well, oh yea....too late! I mean it's flat out defiant of the source material. I just don't know what Sony is thinking....and now I have seen what "they" have done to the Black Beauty. Blasphmy! And Joe- what are you saying? The GH knowledge as a fan for 30 plus years or what?

rocket europa

Ha Ha Ha! great posts Tim and 790!
Yeah Tim, you hit the nail on the head,"defiant of the source material..." Couldnt have said it better myself!
Yeah, come on guys, face it: Could a doughy guy like Rogen REALLY be interested in a fedora-wearing class character like GH? Make no mistake, this vanity project is a desperate bid for respectability in a town and profession where he has little or none.
Us true Hornet fans from the 60's will be apologizing for this debacle for decades (if we live that long...whatever...)
Kill this abortion NOW.

nowhereman

Maybe the actual title will morph into...

"GREEN HORNET KUSH!"

Apparently that's what they've been smoking if they think this will be anything more than a self indulgent, finger flipping, "I gots my money so I can do pretty much what ever I want regardless of fan opinion" farce.