Who will play Kato in the Green Hornet remake?

[Silent Assassin]

just a rumor for now, but stranger things had happened.
http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6038

[jethro]

The idea of him playing Kato does sound like it could be another Stephen Chow classic.

[SPJ]

Stephen has his own style of being a Kung Fu comedian.

He wanted to learn Kung Fu as bruce lee inspired him on the big screen. But he never did. so he has to rely on the special effect of the movies to help him realizing the dream on the big screen.

He would fail miserably if he plays any serious role.

I was always ready to laugh at any move or talk from him in all of his movies.

the audience was never very serious about him.

--

:D

[NJM]

/palmface


I really don't think this is a good idea.

[X_plosion]

I wonder what would have happened if the deal for Rickson Gracie to play Kato had pushed through.

[jethro]

SPJ, did you hear somewhere that this will be a serious role playing Kato? I don't know if that would work. I have seen abotu 25 Stephen Chow movies, and only a few suck. I look forward to any new comedy movie he is in. It takes a lot to get a laugh out of me, but Chow does it consistantly in every movie I see him in.

[Design Sifu]

Considering who's rumored to play THE GREEN HORNET (http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/07/23/chubby-comic-set-to-play-green-hornet/). I don't think the film will be of a serious tone.

[Errant108]

He wanted to learn Kung Fu as bruce lee inspired him on the big screen. But he never did. so he has to rely on the special effect of the movies to help him realizing the dream on the big screen.

He would fail miserably if he plays any serious role.

I was always ready to laugh at any move or talk from him in all of his movies.

the audience was never very serious about him.

--

:D

I seem to recall an interview with Stephen where he discussed his Wing Chun training. I think he had pictures with his teacher.

[SPJ]

I seem to recall an interview with Stephen where he discussed his Wing Chun training. I think he had pictures with his teacher.

I think you are correct. I also remember reading about this. I will try to search.

:)

[SPJ]

SPJ, did you hear somewhere that this will be a serious role playing Kato? I don't know if that would work. I have seen abotu 25 Stephen Chow movies, and only a few suck. I look forward to any new comedy movie he is in. It takes a lot to get a laugh out of me, but Chow does it consistantly in every movie I see him in.

I am also a big fan.

I like the movie that he played as an agent 008.

Well there are several.

One was taking place as an agent for the Ming emperor. This one was all right.

In another film, he was a butcher for pork in the market.--

Ya. He has so many films over the years.

--

My favorite one would be the one that he played as the beggar king Su Qi Er. He was weak or beaten down. He slept a lot. He practiced sleeping Luohan fist in his dream. It was just hilarious.

--

:D;)

[SPJ]

I would really like to see "green hornet" on the big screen.

I vividly remembered that I had to wait 30 min for the first episode to air on TV in Taiwan in the 60's. I was only like the first grade.

--

:)

[doug maverick]

as far as i know stephen chow has trained in wing chun but i don't remember the teacher.

[jethro]

I think you are talking about King of Beggars SPJ. I thought it was just average but I did like the sleeping style. Shaolin Soccer is my favorite and Fight Back to School 1 and 2 are also quite good.

[SPJ]

Yes. Shaolin soccer really propelled him internationally or at least in south and north east asia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_VDO2uj5g


:cool:

[GeneChing]

I can hear flight of the bumblebee now...
Stephen Chow to Direct and Star in Columbia Pictures' The Green Hornet (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/stephen-chow-direct-star-columbia/story.aspx?guid=%7B487179DB-4AF1-4F43-8E6C-4A63D9FAF18D%7D&dist=hppr)
Helmer Takes On Role of Kato; Feature Film Set for Release June 25, 2010
Last update: 4:24 p.m. EDT Sept. 19, 2008

CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept 19, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Stephen Chow, one of Asia's most popular box-office draws as the award-winning star and director of such films as Kung Fu Hustle, CJ7, and Shaolin Soccer, will direct Seth Rogen and star opposite him as Kato in Columbia Pictures' The Green Hornet, set for release June 25, 2010, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures. The screenplay is by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, who will also executive produce. Neal H. Moritz is the producer through his Original Film production company.

In tapping Chow to helm The Green Hornet, Sony Pictures Entertainment continues a long association with the star and director. Under its local language initiative, Sony co-produced and released Chow's Kung Fu Hustle, which went on to gross over $100 million worldwide and received a Golden Globe(R) nomination as well as six Hong Kong Film Awards and five Taiwan Golden Horse Awards. Sony also released CJ7.

Commenting on the announcement, Tolmach said, "When Seth, Evan, and Neal said they wanted Stephen Chow to be part of The Green Hornet, it was a fantasy. Now that it's happening, it's almost too good to be true. Stephen's been a very important part of the Sony family for many years, so it's truly serendipitous for us to be moving forward with him directing the movie and starring as Kato."

Chow added, "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. 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'm grateful to my friends at Sony, who have shown so much faith in me for so many years. I'm looking forward to working with Seth, Evan, Neal, and the team at Sony, and I'm eager to get started."

Moritz said, "The Green Hornet is a dream project and it's come together in a dream way. Seth will be fantastic in the lead role, and Stephen was the only name on the list for Kato. The material is a perfect match for his sensibilities -- Stephen in the director's chair is the best thing for the film."

Rogen said, "Stephen was always my and Evan's first choice for director and to play Kato. We just hope that he never finds out we're not the Wachowski Brothers."

Stephen Chow, Asia's number one comedy star and one of the region's most beloved entertainers, has directed five feature films, most recently CJ7.

His previous feature Kung Fu Hustle was the third highest grossing film in Hong Kong history after Titanic and Jurassic Park. Chow made his directorial debut with God of Cookery in 1996, followed by King of Comedy in 1999, both of which he also wrote and starred in. In 2001 Chow directed, wrote, and starred in Shaolin Soccer, the fourth-highest grossing film of all time at the Hong Kong box office, which also broke box office records across Asia. Shaolin Soccer went on to win seven major awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound Design and Best Visual Effects.

A native of Hong Kong, Stephen Chow was one of three children in what he describes as a "very poor family." He grew up as a Bruce Lee fan and a martial arts fanatic, but he remembers that as a child his own kung fu training had to stop after six weeks when his family could no longer afford lessons. Chow started his entertainment career as the host of a TV children's show, "430 Space Shuttle." He quickly made a name for himself with his witty style, but it was not until 1988 that he began acting in films.

In 1989, in the movie Final Justice, he played a supporting role, which won him the best supporting actor award at the Taiwan Golden Horse Awards and established him in the Hong Kong film world. The key turning point in his career came only a year later, when he had his first starring role in the 1990 Chow Yun-Fat spoof All for the Winner. In this movie, Chow's unique and hilarious onscreen persona -- playing his first in a series of lovable underdogs -- made him an overnight sensation in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. Asian film observers also say that in that film Chow gave birth to the "Mo Lei Tau" ("nonsense") comedy style, now considered a fully established genre of Hong Kong comedy.

Since All for the Winner, Chow has gradually but firmly established himself as Hong Kong's comedy king. Among his 50 some movies, Justice My Foot won him the best actor award at the 1992 Asian Pacific Film Awards, and A Chinese Odyssey won him the best actor award at the 1996 Hong Kong Critics Society Awards as well as at the Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia Film Awards.

Stephen Chow's Star Overseas recently formed a new multi-feature collaboration with Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, under which Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute the features produced by Star Overseas worldwide.

Ori Marmur will serve as the Executive Producer of the film.

Chow is represented by Creative Artists Agency and attorney Alan Grodin of Weissman Wolff Bergman Coleman Grodin & Evall LLP.

About Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

[doug maverick]

yeah i heard about this quite a few months back. i think seth rogen is writing the script and playing brett. if i'm not mistaking. glad its confirmed now i can talk about it YAY.

[Zenshiite]

I was skeptical until I read that Rogen is in training to play Britt Reid. Not sure how far that guy can go in training for the role, but it at least gives me hope. At least he's not apparently going for turning GH into his typical slacker character.

[Jimbo]

I would really like to see "green hornet" on the big screen.

I vividly remembered that I had to wait 30 min for the first episode to air on TV in Taiwan in the 60's. I was only like the first grade.

--

:)

I also remember the original Green Hornet on TV when I was 4, watching with my older brother and sister. That would be in 1967, I think the year it eventually got canceled. I remembered Kato, but at the time I just thought the show was a similar but inferior show to the Batman series.

As for Stephen Chow playing Kato, I guess we'll have to wait and see. The problem with bringing Asian stars into American films is that mostly they lose the personality that made them special overseas. But seeing that Chow will be directing, this could be an exception!

[GreenCloudCLF]

Looks like he may be taking over the reigns as director as well.

[Zenshiite]

I also remember the original Green Hornet on TV when I was 4, watching with my older brother and sister. That would be in 1967, I think the year it eventually got canceled. I remembered Kato, but at the time I just thought the show was a similar but inferior show to the Batman series.

As for Stephen Chow playing Kato, I guess we'll have to wait and see. The problem with bringing Asian stars into American films is that mostly they lose the personality that made them special overseas. But seeing that Chow will be directing, this could be an exception!

I've seen lots of the old Batman tv series, and I've seen lots of the Green Hornet(than you IFC) in the recent past. I think Green Hornet was superior if only for it's serious tone. The same folks made both shows, but Green Hornet is better just because of the seriousness of it. It's just not as iconic.

[GeneChing]

advice from stephen chow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHdTLEGoKm4&feature=related)

[doug maverick]

that was funny as hell, gene. and yes the web can be a dangerous place.lol

[Jimbo]

I've seen lots of the old Batman tv series, and I've seen lots of the Green Hornet(than you IFC) in the recent past. I think Green Hornet was superior if only for it's serious tone. The same folks made both shows, but Green Hornet is better just because of the seriousness of it. It's just not as iconic.

Well, being so young, I think I liked Batman better because I kinda liked Batgirl. Almost as much as the girls of Petticoat Junction. :) I think now I'd like GH better. Several years ago I saw a screening of an episode where Bruce Lee fought Mako (but it looked like Mako was doubled by Dan Inosanto). I think the episode was titled, "Praying Mantis".

[GeneChing]

That bums me out. Chow's direction would have put this over the top.
Hornet Hustle (http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/12/hornet-hustle.php)

Stephen Chow, the Kung Fu Hustle director who was set to helm the superhero flick The Green Hornet has bagged the gig. The martial arts star will still play the kung fu fighting sidekick Kato.

No word on why he dropped out, this is comedic approach to film may have something to do with it.

The hunt is on for someone who has action chops to direct the film, which is supposed to shoot in a few months.

Seth Rogen stars as the newspaper publisher-turned-crimefighter who prowls the streets in his rolling arsenal the Black Beauty.
12/19/08 9:08 AM

[doug maverick]

maybe stephen wanted to take a more comedic aproach to it and i remember seth saying that his script was not a comedy.

[SimonM]

Yeah, Chow's previous films have all been REALLY slapstick.

And I've seen more Chow films than most, my wife lovest the guy. :p

Seriously I can't picture him doing a serious action film.

[GeneChing]

Chan did a serious pic with almost no martial arts. It's a waste of material frankly. Rogen and Chow doing a serious version of Green Hornet? That seems like a waste too.

Here's another report from a more reliable source.

Chow no longer to direct 'Hornet' (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997630.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)
Actor will still play Kato in Columbia film
By MICHAEL FLEMING

'The Green Hornet,' which Columbia is adapting for the bigscreen, began as a radio show in the 1930s but is best known for the 1960s TV version, above.

There's been another change in the "Hornet" nest: Stephen Chow has dropped out as director of "The Green Hornet" but will still play Kato in Columbia Pictures' latest bid to get the crimefighter to the bigscreen.

The studio and producer Neal Moritz are in the process of setting a new director to keep the picture on track to begin production by spring.

The character began on radio in the 1930s and is best known from the '60s TV version. But a bigscreen translation is having a long gestation, going through many incarnations, including as a proposed George Clooney vehicle.

Chow, who directed and starred in "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer," signed in September to direct the film and play the role originated in the TV series by Bruce Lee. He stepped out as director over creative differences.

The film was scripted by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and Rogen is starring as the masked crime fighter. The script will likely be polished, and a director could be in place by year's end.

[Zenshiite]

Clooney actually could've been a better Hornet than he was a Batman.

[doug maverick]

i agree, matter of fct clooney could have made a better batman if the material was taken more seriously instead it was turned into a campy comedy f uckin shumacher. but putting two comedian actors in a supposedly series super hero movie, doesnt sound like that bad of an idea. but i doubt seth rogen has the range.we shall see.

[Zenshiite]

Well. Clooney said he played Batman as if he was gay... so he was probably part of the problem with that movie. He'd be a more 40s or 50s style Batman at any rate, I can't see Clooney as the Batman of the 70s to now. He'd have to play him even seriously as a sort of stand-up guy rather than a total traumatized possibly insane dude dressing up like a bat to scare the bejezus out of thugs and then beat them senseless because he's almost a psychopath himself.

Which is why the Green Hornet is kind of the perfect role for him. We'll see how Rogen does. I saw pictures of him slimming down and getting in shape, so I'm curious to see him in the role.

[SimonM]

I think that's why Bale did good as Batman. We all know he does psycho well...

American Psycho
Equilibrium
The Machinist

[doug maverick]

Chow No Longer Kato In "Hornet"?
By Garth FranklinWednesday, December 24th 2008 8:11am
image Not only will he no longer direct Sony's "The Green Hornet", it looks like Stephen Chow may no longer act in it either.

Last week Chow dropped out as helmer on the Seth Rogen-led project which had the "Knocked Up" actor as the masked vigilante and filmmaker Chow ("Kung Fu Hustle") as his sidekick Kato.

"If I direct 'The Green Hornet,' the superhero comedy will have to be delayed for two years. The timing might not be right for a superhero comedy in two years. And I want to make a movie based on an original idea" said Chow to The Associated Press this week.

Chow now adds that he may not have time to star as Kato, the character made famous by Bruce Lee, as he wants to free up time to work with Jack Black on a comedy about a different superhero. Whether he will stay involved depends on his schedule.http://www.darkhorizons.com/news08/081224b.php

so i wonder who seth rogen is going to get to replace him if he really is out bound.who would you guys like to see take up the role? i have a thought, what about jacky wu-jing? i mean he's no comedian but the guy can bring the pain, in terms of action plus he looks "young" enough to play seth's driver/side kick(i say looks because wu jing is actually 8 years older then seth rogen. which shouldnt matter considering chow is 20 years rogens senior and can be the dudes father)another choice would be........ you tell me.

[doug maverick]

more news this one comes from comicmix.com
\\Depending on which report you read, Stephen Chow is Kato but will not direct The Green Hornet. Maybe the Shaolin Soccer star will direct but not act in the Sony film, starring Seth Rogen. He may exit altogether, leaving the June 25, 2010 release without a director or co-star with production set to begin in the spring.

Moviehole was among the first to report that Chow is considering not playing Kato. “He's blaming it on scheduling (saying he wants to film some Jack Black-Superhero film) - but that sounds like a tug,” they note.

An Associated Press story confirms that report, quoting Chow as saying, "If I direct The Green Hornet, the superhero comedy will have to be delayed for two years. The timing might not be right for a superhero comedy in two years. And I want to make a movie based on an original idea."

Stay tuned for post-holiday developments

and here is yet more this time from cinemetical.com
Stephen Chow Skipping Out On Kato?

by Elisabeth Rappe Dec 24th 2008 // 11:02AM

Filed under: Action, Thrillers, Casting, Mystery & Suspense, Sony, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels
I have the sneaking suspicion that Seth Rogen's The Green Hornet remake may go the way of its failed predecessors. Over the weekend, Monika reported that Stephen Chow was no longer directing the film -- now comes the news that Chow may not remain as Kato, either.

Chow told the AP that he had abandoned directing the film in order to make a superhero comedy starring Jack Black. "If I direct The Green Hornet, the superhero comedy will have to be delayed for two years," Chow said. "The timing might not be right for a superhero comedy in two years. And I want to make a movie based on an original idea."

Presumably, directing Black might also interfere with his Kato-playing duties -- something Chow confirms by saying that continuing in the role depends on his schedule. If you're a conspiracy theorist, you can speculate away about whether Chow's really passionate about Black and original superhero comedy, or whether it's those vague "creative differences" reported earlier.

Judging from the comments, Rogen's Hornet isn't too popular anyway. I was unsure about the comedic angle the project was taking, but Chow's casting was something to hang your hopes on, particularly if they reined in his slapstick style. But maybe that's precisely what the "differences" are. Maybe they just need to quit forcing this one, and let the Hornet sit for the unforeseeable future?

[GeneChing]

I think it's all about Chow dropping out. He would have made this flick rock.
Saturday, Jan 24, 2009
Has Rogen's 'Green Hornet' Been Defeated? (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured/posts/2009-1-24-has-rogen-s-green-hornet-been-defeated)

There are certain film projects that seem to pick up a curse as they wind their way through development, perpetually threatening to get made but never actually ending up in front of the camera. Right now, it looks like "The Green Hornet" is about to collapse again, and if this particular configuration doesn't happen, then I suspect it never will.

Ever since Stephen Chow started to waffle about his participation in the film, I've been hearing rumors that there were major hesitations at Sony. Then at Sundance, I heard several people say that the film was off completely. I spoke this afternoon with a source close to the film, and while they didn't call it completely dead, they did say it is "highly unlikely" that the film will shoot in 2009 at all.

That's a shame. I'm not going to pretend to have some lifelong passion for the character or the property... I doubt anyone my age is genuinely nostalgic about "The Green Hornet," since it's really a relic of an earlier age. The TV show was in the '60s, and the radio show predates that. But I am aware of the property, and Bruce Lee playing Kato means that there's some historic relevance that they can play off of. I liked the idea of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg revitalizing the material, and when they were talking about Chow as director and co-star, it seemed like a can't-miss proposition. Seth even trained for the movie, and if you've seen him in the last few months, you probably noticed how much leaner Seth was looking.

I'll continue to look into this, but for now, it looks like "The Green Hornet" has gone onto life-support at Sony, with a good chance the studio's going to kick the plug out any moment now.

[BoulderDawg]

I believe "Green Hornet" done correctly would be a good movie.

However I think Chow might be a little old for the role of Kato.

[doug maverick]

doesnt matter considering he droped the role. but i agree chow could be rogens dad, **** even wu jing is way older then him.

[doug maverick]

according to aintitcoolnews.com, kungfucinema and chows own company. chow is still on board as kato and the film is still in the green.


Moriarty's Sundance Pillow Talk Wrong... Stephen Chow is still on GREEN HORNET & it ain't dead yet!

Hey folks, Harry here... There's a strange world that occurs up in the frozen wilds of Sundance. Amid all the black leather and Blackberries - the very non-LA weather creates a crotchety ***** fest, where rumors start spiraling like snowflakes in the air. The big one this year was that GREEN HORNET was swatted.

My sources around Stephen Chow say, not so fast Moriarty! Sure, the evil professor may have a new assumed identity, but he's still out to thwart Good and the powers of truth and justice... even under his new alias of Drew McWeeny.

It seems Stephen Chow is still attached and moving forward on GREEN HORNET. Meanwhile, long time Asian Film site, MonkeyPeaches which has provided AICN with an awesome array of Asian Film scoops in the past is reporting that Stephen Chow's next foreign film is called JOURNEY TO THE WEST!

How do you respond... Mo... I mean, DREW MCWEENY? IF THAT'S YOUR NAME?!?!? Will you be man enough to admit how you're just an evil doddering ol frigid fool for listening to the Sundance *****ing? Hmmm? I will be watching to see if you do any significant follow up!

[GeneChing]

It's a Harry vs. Drew flame war.
Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009
Seth Rogen Says 'Hornet' Still Has Wings (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured/posts/2009-1-27-seth-rogen-says-hornet-still-has-wings)
Posted by Drew McWeeny

Seth Rogen, preparing to lay down some kung-fu pain on Drew McWeeny

Over the weekend, I ran an article in which I talked about the plug possibly being pulled on the upcoming "The Green Hornet," written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. I had sourced the article from several directions, but there was one person I hadn't spoken to when I published, and that was Seth Rogen.

Let's just say he wasn't pleased. And he has a very different take on things.

"'The Green Hornet' has many people working for it, including production designers, costume designers and many conceptual artists, office staff, etc.," he said during our e-mail exchange back and forth. "[The studio heads] have every intention on making it, and assuming we're able to hire a new director in the upcoming weeks, which seems like a distinct possibilty, it should still hit the release date."

I've known Seth for a while now, and I always feel awkward approaching people over bad news. Even with three separate sources all associated with Sony or the production confirming the news, Seth is a producer on this, a co-writer, and the lead actor. His point of view certainly belonged in an article about the status of the film.

And Rogen's right to be protective of what's happening in the development phase right now. This is not the moment to be reading that your job is ending, especially if you're hearing differently from your employer, and I hate thinking about all the production staff spending the weekend worried about their paychecks because of something I wrote.

Over at Ain't It Cool, Harry's itching for a fight with me, and he published a report that Stephen Chow is still involved with the film. Now, according to Seth, they're looking for a director, so I guess Chow really is just playing Kato. I'm eager to hear how that works out, and I hope that as this one moves forward, we're able to bring you reports on how it comes together.

Look, I sincerely hope I was misinformed by my initial sources on this. I think everything I've heard about Seth and Evan's take sounds cool, and anything that brings Stephen Chow to the mainstream is great news in my book. Fingers crossed we see this one onscreen and on time.

[GeneChing]

still up in the air...
Michel Gondry steps in for 'Green Hornet' (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ieda4f2f47125746d8ad355ddbf4e7515)
Stephen Chow still set to play Kato in Seth Rogen starrer
By Borys Kit

Michel Gondry is in negotiations to direct "The Green Hornet," Columbia's big-screen treatment of the classic crime-fighting hero being portrayed by Seth Rogen.

Stephen Chow had been tapped to direct but dropped out over creative differences. He is still expected to co-star as Kato, the Hornet's trusty sidekick and chauffeur.

Since Chow's departure, the project has been the subject of speculation that it was sliding into development hell, but the studio is intent on making the feature one of its 2010 tentpoles.

The choice of Gondry, the helmer behind off-the-beaten-path films such as "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "The Science of Sleep" and "Be Kind Rewind," signals that the creative direction the studio and the film's producer, Neal Moritz, are trying to take the project is one not usually associated with the usual crime-fighter movie.

"Hornet" follows the adventures of Britt Reid, a bored playboy who inherits his father's crusading newspaper, the Daily Sentinel. By night he is a masked hero, fighting crime with his sidekick Kato, who has incredible martial arts skills.

Rogen and his writer partner Evan Goldberg joined the project in July 20, 2007, as writers and co-exec producers.

Gondry is repped by CAA.

[Shaolinlueb]

this movie can be awesome.

[GeneChing]

Yet another rumor from another film buzz site.
Stephen Chow Is Not Green Hornet's Kato (http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Stephen-Chow-Is-Not-Green-Hornet-s-Kato-12381.html)
By Katey Rich: 2009-03-16 20:37:56

Stephen Chow Is Not Green Hornet's Kato We caught up with Seth Rogen tonight on the red carpet for the SXSW premiere of Observe and Report, and he gave us a hint about who might be playing Kato to his Green Hornet in the upcoming movie. Namely, it's probably not Stephen Chow. He told us: "We have no 100% official Kato at this point."

Chow has been officially replaced as director of the film, with Michel Gondry stepping in instead, but last we heard he was planning to play Kato still. Does this mean that Chow is out for good, and Rogen is out looking for a replacement? And can we figure out how on earth he'll find anyone as good as Chow for the part? What ever's been going on with Stephen it sounds like his brief stint as the Green Hornet's sidekick is over, and they're looking for someone else. We'll find out who that new someone is, in the days to come.

[Shaolinlueb]

if they can't get chow, get wang (dennis dun) from big trouble in little china :o to play kato!

[SimonM]

It appears that my suggestion (Takeshi Kaneshiro) got ate by the server troubles.

So let me put him back on the table.

I think he would be a perfect Kato... and apparently he can speak at least some english.

[Shaolinlueb]

It appears that my suggestion (Takeshi Kaneshiro) got ate by the server troubles.

So let me put him back on the table.

I think he would be a perfect Kato... and apparently he can speak at least some english.

Takeshi Kaneshiro can speak english, mandarin, taiwanese, cantonese, and japanese if i am not mistaken, and does them all really well.

[doug maverick]

It appears that my suggestion (Takeshi Kaneshiro) got ate by the server troubles.

So let me put him back on the table.

I think he would be a perfect Kato... and apparently he can speak at least some english.

a japanese playing kato blasphemy......i bet money people will be ****ed until sombody smacks them with the fact that kato is japanese.lmfao

[GeneChing]

If Rogen is going to cast Kato soon, my guess is that he'd go with Harold or Hiro - Sulu or Bruce. The hottest lead Asian males now are John Cho and Masi Oka and they are both prime for the role in Hollywood's eyes.

[doug maverick]

i would go with jon cho.

[GeneChing]

Masi really walks the edge of being the next Gedde Watanabe. I like Masi, especially when he's the futuristic cool Hiro, all in black with the sword strapped over his back and no nerdy accent. But as Bruce and the regular Hiro, he tends to fall into the Asian nerd boy stereotype. Kato is rather delicate that way. He could easily degenerate into stereotype.

Cho has been hilarious as Harold and I'm really looking forward to him taking on Sulu (much more than seeing Wynona as Amanda :o).

[doug maverick]

yeah think they are going to go with someone the american audience knows already. a great pic would be donnie yen. but if you know donnie, you would know he wouldnt take that role. unless ofcourse they give him control of the action or something to that effect. but i like jon cho now that you mention it gene, he is around the same age as rogen.but im sure this is going to get some flack from the asian communities for having an asian chauffeur. people tend to make a row about things that dont need to be made. its like if you did driving miss daisy in this day and age. al sharpton would be out protesting and marching all over the place. hell he did that for the spike lee film bamboozled just because they showed some black face, and the fat **** didnt even know what the film was about. so we'll see....hope people just enjoy the fact that hollywood is putting an asian in a lead role in a film.

[BoulderDawg]

Your facts are a little mixed up concerning Bamboozled.

Al Sharpton was actually in the movie playing himself protesting a racist TV show. However the film itself was not particularily good.

As far as Driving Miss Daisy goes I don't know anyone who has a problem with it using today's standards. I thought it was a fairly good representation of how is was back them. The only thing that didn't ring true for me was that Miss Daisy was Jewish. She was also a former first lady of Georgia.........No way in hell would Georgia elect a Jewish governor especially 70-80 years ago.

Concerning Cato: Just my opinion is that no one over the age of 25 should even be considered.

[GeneChing]

Oh come on now. Burt Kwok took on the role when in his mid 30's. ;)

[doug maverick]

over the age of 25....thats kind of extreme. and also you were right i actually wasnt thinking about al sharpton but his name came to mind for some reason. and totally right about the georgia thing.

[GeneChing]

Kevin Smith's comic redux is casting Kato as female....very interesting...

Exclusive First Look: Alex Ross' Green Hornet #1 Cover (http://newsarama.com/comics/070906-GreenHornet01cvr.html)
By Matt Brady
posted: 06 July 2009 09:37 am ET

Courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment, we've got a look atAlex Ross' cover to The Green Hornet #1. The series opening arc will be written by Kevin Smith. Dynamite states:

Dynamite Entertainment is proud to unveil the World-Wide Premier of master painter and artist Alex Ross’ stunning vision of the Green Hornet! Set to grace the cover of Dynamite’s debut issue of the Kevin Smith written #1 issue of the Green Hornet, the Hornet is back and better than ever before! Check out www.dynamiteentertainment.com frequently for more information!


Alex Ross Makes Love To The Green Hornet Comic (http://www.bamkapow.com/alex-ross-makes-love-to-the-green-hornet-comic-3170-p.html)

Yeah let’s be real here. I’m in the dark when it comes to Green Hornet. Don’t know much of anything. I know that he has a side-kick, Kato. I know that Bruce Lee rocked it (I think, right?). And I know the dude likes the color green. And maybe hornets too. But I can’t even say that for certain.

But I can say unequivocally that I love me some Alex Ross. So with the earlier news that Kevin Smith will see his 2004 Green Hornet screenplay envisioned with panel borders, we can couple that with word that Alex Ross will be redesigning said hero as well as providing covers for the series.

Now you might have noticed that young Kato over there has grown some additional equipment in the general chesty area. We might also assume that he has lost a few jewels in the process, or maybe not, who knows till we read Kevin Smith’s comic. I can’t wait for the first traditionalist to pipe up with something to say about that. Seriously? Taking a kung fu action character and adding a level of hotness? In some kind of leather outfit? What the hell is there to complain about here?

Look at that! I don’t know if she’s going to kill me with those throwing star/hornet thingies but I cannot wait to find out. Yowza!

As for Mr. Hornet himself, I dig the mask. It’s a nice shape that improves upon the generic “cover up the eyes” mask that we’ve all known and seen a million times.

So does this mean that I’ll be buying the series? Quite possibly. With some swank covers by Ross and some wity dialogue from Smith I can say that I am very very intrigued.

[GeneChing]

20’s - early 40’s BoulderDawg... I could fit that....well, almost. :o
Kato Casting Call Kicks Chow To The Curb? (http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/11/kato-casting-call-kicks-chow-to-the-curb/)
Posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 by Brendon Connelly

It would appear from a freshly surfaced casting call that the role of Kato in Michel Gondry’s Green Hornet movie is currently vacant. After it was announced that Seth Rogen was to write, produce and star in a Hornet flick a heady ****tail of skepticism and intrigue flooded the web. Then, it was announced that Stephen Chow was going to both direct and co-star in the picture and the general level of enthusiasm went through the roof. After that, a nosedive as Chow left the director’s seat and while it seemed likely he’d also pass up on the acting position, nothing was made official and Rogen even intimated that Chow was just as likely to be his Kato as ever. This remained the case even after Gondry was announced as director.

That all changes now, however.

Here’s a short casting call for the part, as scooped by Spoiler TV:

[KATO] ALL ASIAN ETHNICITIES, Male, 20’s - early 40’s. Brit Reid’s manservant/chauffeur by day and Green Hornet’s martial arts-skilled sidekick by night. Actor doesn’t have to have Martial Arts experience.

We could chew that over all night, from the indifference to actual specific ethnicity through the vague age range requested to the lack of necessity for pre-formed Martial Arts skills. Be my guest.

I trust Gondry implicitly, and I think Rogen is a very dependable individual to have so closely attached to a project like this but, if the truth be told, I’m not reading much joy in the tea leaves for this one. Nothing seems to be going to plan. I’m hoping that some good, strong announcements come out of the Hornet camp soon and swing the focus back onto the great stuff this film has going for it.

I bet the casting of Tony Jaa would put a smile on plenty of faces… but should it? Perhaps Rogen and Gondry have more in store for Kato than acrobatics and balletic smackdowns. The kind of more Chow can do in his sleep.

July 13, 2009
Chow quits Green Hornet role (http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_402624.html)

BEIJING - HONG KONG comedian Stephen Chow has quit his planned role as Kato in the Hollywood film The Green Hornet, the movie version of the 1960s TV series that starred Bruce Lee, a newspaper reported Monday.

Chow was originally slated to direct the film and star alongside Seth Rogen, but dropped out as director in December so he could develop a superhero movie with Jack Black.

The Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle star has decided not to act in the movie either, Hong Kong's Oriental Daily News reported Monday.

Sam Ngai, a spokesman for Chow's production company Star Overseas, declined comment and a Columbia Pictures spokesman didn't immediately respond to a reporter's e-mail.

Columbia Pictures said in February it was in talks with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind French director Michel Gondry to replace Chow as director.

The original Green Hornet series, which debuted on radio in 1936, is about a newspaper publisher who moonlights as a masked crime-fighter along with his martial arts-expert sidekick.

In 1966, it was turned into an ABC television series starring Van Williams as the title character and Bruce Lee as Kato. It ran for one season. -- AP

[enoajnin]

It's all about Kato anyway. I found this on the i09 site which pulled it from the Asian newswires. So, it must be true, right. The interwebs never lie.

Asian news outlets are reporting that Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo is currently in talks to play the Green Hornet's hyper-competent sidekick, alongside a bumbling Seth Rogen. Kwon is known largely as a heartthrob in Korea, having starred in many a romantic soap opera, but he's also has a modest bit of on-screen martial arts experience, thanks to roles in the fantastical Volcano High and gangster-themed Once Upon a Time in High School.

[GeneChing]

...that's just a rumor at this point. I haven't found any online confirmations yet...
Has 'The Green Hornet' Found Its Kato In Kwon Sang-Woo? (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/07/29/has-the-green-hornet-found-its-kato-in-kwon-sang-woo/)
Posted 7/29/09 5:03 pm ET by Rick Marshall in News

After last weekend's flood of "Green Hornet" casting news and updates, could an announcement regarding the new Kato be next on the schedule?

According to The Korea Times, actor Kwon Sang-woo recently passed an English audition for the role of the title character's sidekick -- an audition that was attended by the film's star and writer Seth Rogen and director Michel Gondry. The report goes on to say that a final announcement regarding the role will be made within the next month.

While Kwon is an unknown property in the US, the actor has already established himself as a hot star in Korea. Prior to embarking on a career in acting, he was a successful model contracted to be the face (and abs) of various marketing campaigns.

If Kwon snags the part, he'll have some big shoes to fill after the departure of Stephen Chow, who left the project earlier this month. Chow was initially tagged to be both director and Rogen's co-star on the film, but stepped down from the director's chair late last year. He then left the film entirely a few weeks ago.

As the article points out, Kwon winning the role would make him the third Korean actor to co-star in a blockbuster action film this year. Lee Byung-hun will play Storm Shadow in the upcoming "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" movie, and fan-favorite actor Rain will play the role of Raizo in November's "Ninja Assassin."

"The Green Hornet" is currently scheduled to hit theaters July 9, 2010.

[mickey]

Greetings,

This might get to doug maverick. :)

My pick for Kato would be Michael Jai White. That would be SupermadCOOL

mickey

[doug maverick]

that actually would be hot...but a black guy named kato....wait..i know a black guy named kato...ok im in...lol. actually i think MJ white is getting ready to start work on black dynamite 2

[mickey]

doug maverick,

Please use your connections and make this happen!! STAT


mickey

[enoajnin]

Did I win? Did I post this info first for a change instead of last? Ha!



Sony Pictures tweeted that Taiwan musician-actor-filmmaker Jay Chou has been hired to replace Stephen Chow as Kato in Seth Rogen's upcoming The Green Hornet.

The 30-year-old pop star recently made the transition to movies and is reportedly a Bruce Lee fan; he has appeared in three Chinese-language movies.

Chow was initially signed to direct the movie and to play Kato, but dropped out.

Chou joins Nicolas Cage, Rogen and Cameron Diaz in the movie, which is to be directed by Michel Gondry, with a reported fall start date.

Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote the script and Neal Moritz is producing through his Original Films. The movie is eyeing a July 2010 release.

The Green Hornet is based upon the 1960s television serial—which was itself based on 1940s radio serials—about a masked hero who fights crime.

As for the reported september start date for shooting, insiders know it starts in August. But don't tell anyone I said that.

[SPJ]

Jay Chou has his own star power.

he releases songs album every year.

he directed and made his own movies.

he has his own audience which is the younger generation.

he does not need to play kato or bruce lee.

which is from the 60s.

each star has to explore and go his own way.

if you are first starting out, yes, you would like play a prominent role of some one else and gain fame and acceptance or establish yourself by attracting the crowd.

Jay Chou or Steven Chow do not need to do that.

it is like drawing or adding feet to a snake.

totally NOT needed.

find or discover a brand new face or new people, and let him shape himself and start his new career.

--

:)

[GeneChing]

I find this really ironic. Stephan Chow: Jay Chou; Shaolin Soccer: (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46486) Kung Fu Dunk (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49939)
“THE GREEN HORNET™” GETS HIS KATO IN TAIWANESE SUPERSTAR JAY CHOU

CULVER CITY, Calif., August 7, 2009 – After a worldwide search, Jay Chou, the multi-hyphenate singer-actor and a star throughout Asia, has joined the cast of Michel Gondry’s The Green Hornet in the iconic role of Kato, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures.

Michel Gondry, the film’s director, added, “Jay is incredibly unique and charming and fights like a wild dog! When I filmed him next to Seth, they had such great chemistry, and I knew the movie will be great."

Chou said, “It’s an overwhelming experience to take on a role made famous by Bruce Lee. I won’t try to be Bruce Lee’s Kato – I will try to bring my own interpretation to the part. Of course, it’s a dream role, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

A classic character of film, television, radio, and comic books returns to the big screen in Columbia Pictures’ feature film The Green Hornet, starring Seth Rogen as the vigilante crime-fighter. The film will be directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) from a screenplay written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg (Superbad, Pineapple Express), based upon “The Green Hornet” radio series created by George W. Trendle, and produced by Neal H. Moritz (The Fast and the Furious). The film is slated for release summer 2010.

A pop-star phenomenon throughout Asia, JAY CHOU brings unexpected gravity and depth to his acting roles. Born Chou Chieh-Lun in Taiwan, 1979, Chou began playing the piano at age four. His mother supported his musical gifts and he went on to master piano and cello. Music, songwriting, and basketball dominated his high school days, and he was first noticed in 1998 when a friend sang one of his pop compositions on a TV talent contest, accompanied by Jay on piano. Alfa Music launched Jay's career, first as a tunesmith and then as a singer. In 2000, his debut album "Jay" quickly propelled him to stardom with numerous hits. His unique musical style is a fresh-sounding fusion of eastern and western traditions featuring strong lyrics and a personal style of storytelling.

With his soulful voice and infectious tunes, his second album, "Fantasy," and seven subsequent albums, have continued to win legions of fans young and old throughout Asia. He has been the best-selling Mandarin artist in the world for the past nine years, with a busy performance schedule touring Asia and North America and numerous music industry awards.

Apart from many music videos, Jay began film acting in a starring role in Initial D (2005), a comedy-action hit in China. In 2006, he starred opposite Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li in Zhang Yimou’s The Curse of the Golden Flower. Since then, he starred in Kung Fu Dunk, and made his directorial debut and starred inSecret. He will next be seen in the Chinese film Ci Ling and in Yuen Woo-Ping’s True Legend.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

[GeneChing]

This is so next year...

The Black Beauty Gets a Flat Tire: GREEN HORNET Pushed Back 5 Months (http://www.collider.com/2009/08/29/the-black-beauty-gets-a-flat-tire-green-hornet-pushed-back-5-months/) - Updated
by Jackson Bishop Posted:August 29th, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Anyone who’s followed the progress of the big screen adaption of pulp hero and cult icon, “The Green Hornet” knows that the property has been repeatedly beset by hurdles and setbacks, from Kevin Smith abandoning the project a few years ago, to the more recent departure of Stephen Chow, first from the director’s chair and finally from the role of driver/sidekick, Kato. Well word has it that the flick has yet again been delayed as its July 7, 2010 release date has been moved back five months to December 17, 2010. More after the jump:

Box Office Mojo is showing that the film has been pushed back, citing no reason for the delay. It is being inferred however, that more time is being scheduled for the flick’s post production period, even though principal photography has yet to begin. This move also conveniently distances “Green Hornet” from the Rob Rodriguez produced “Predators” reboot also due out that summer, as well as out from between a sandwich of Cameron Diaz and Nick Cage movies, both of whom also star in “Green Hornet”. Still not too sure about this movie, even with Michel Gondry at the helm. Seth Rogen is going to have to do a lot more than be thin to make this work out, we’ll see though. He could pull a Michael Keaton and surprise us all. As always, more info as we get it.

UPDATE: Drew at Hitfix has gotten an update directly from Seth Rogen about the date change. Here’s what Seth said:

“We’re both relieved and psyched about the change. It gives more time for post, which would have been immensely rushed if we were to come out in the summer. It also affords us more time to promote the film, (now we can go to Comic-Con with more than a car!) and ultimately is a great vote of confidence from the studio. We got the same date that movies like ‘I Am Legend’ and ‘Avatar’ are getting, so we’re thrilled to be there.”

[GeneChing]

'Tron Legacy' moves to de-rez 'Green Hornet' (http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/09/tron-legacy-moves-to-de-rez-green-hornet.html)
By Andy Grieser
September 4, 2009 5:59 AM

Is December becoming the new action-movie battleground?

Just two days ago, Seth Rogen's "The Green Hornet" was pushed back to Dec. 17. Now Disney's moving "Tron Legacy," sequel to 1982's "Tron," to the same weekend, according to Variety.

"Hornet" follows a 1960s television series, in which a masked millionaire fights crime with the help of his kung fu-master chauffeur.

"Tron Legacy," meanwhile, returns Jeff Bridges to the virtual world as programmer Flynn, who now must take on a younger CGI version of his cyber-self.
Check out our issue on the newsstands now, the Sep Oct 09 (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=830). In the Claw Marks section, Tiger Claw (http://www.tigerclaw.com/home.php)'s work with Tron is discussed.

[doug maverick]

man they havent even decided on what script they are going with, my desire to see this goes down every day.better have a kick ass trailer.

[Design Sifu]

The car looked cool on display at comic con this summer... but the handling looks a little rough (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPush6CXsfs).

[enoajnin]

Things just keep getting better on the Green Hornet set. I guess they had a bit of a bomb scare.

The Green Hornet's latest problem: A bomb scare


We all know The Green Hornet has its issues, but this is ridiculous: There was an actual bomb scare on the L.A. set this week. What's next, an earthquake opens a fissure that swallows producer/star Seth Rogen whole?

According to a report on gossip site TMZ, someone found an unidentified metal object on the set yesterday, leading crew members to call in the bomb squad. The Los Angeles Police Department truck arrived to inspect the parking lot in L.A.'s Mid-Wilshire district, and, just to be on the safe side, the LAPD blew up the object with its remote-controlled bomb-handling robot.

As it turns out, the object wasn't a bomb. But the scare is only the latest on a list of troubles for the new incarnation of the superhero franchise: The production has been delayed, the release date was bumped, and Stephen Chow quit as director and later as the actor playing Kato. This after writers as diverse as Christopher McQuarrie and Kevin Smith tried and failed to adapt the material for film. Does it feel like someone doesn't want this movie to get made?

In the current version, Rogen plays Britt Reid, the newspaper entrepreneur by day and masked superhero by night. Jay Chou takes over the role of chauffeur/martial-arts expert Kato, Cameron Diaz is Lenore Case, and Inglourious Basterds' Christoph Waltz plays the villain, Chudnofsky. Rogen has described the script, which he wrote with partner Evan Goldberg, as the story of a hero and his sidekick. Michel Gondry directs.

The Green Hornet is due in theaters Dec. 17, 2010, barring any more unforeseen problems. As TMZ says, we hope it's not a bomb, either.
By Fred Topel

[Zenshiite]

Pix http://omg.yahoo.com/photos/seth-rogen-goes-green/3277#id=1