Feb 24 2009 Michel Gondry Making 'Green Hornet' Out of Cardboard and Clouds
When it was announced Seth Rogen's portly face would be behind the mask of Green Hornet, it was definitely an odd, unexpected choice, but one tempered by the inclusion of Stephen Chow as both director and Kato. Maybe, with the aid of his comedy-action direction skills, Rogen as Green Hornet could be the new HEATH LEDGER IS THE ONLY JOKER EVER. It probably wouldn't be that hard, considering that the general perception of Green Hornet is somewhere in the range of "some dude in a suit and a green mask, I think" to "who?"
But then Chow dropped out from directing, and it looked like the film might not even get made. EXCEPT now Michel Gondry stepped out of his dream chamber and said he'll do it. So not only will this not be your grandpa's Green Hornet, this is shaping up the Green Hornet you never could have feasibly put together in your mind given infinite time.
Jan 26 2009 'Green Hornet' Troubles!
Ut oh for The Green Hornet! HitFix is reporting that Seth Rogen's bewildering, chubbier take on the action hero is in trouble:
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.
Of course, the good news is this clears the way for a CGI/live-action hybrid version wherein Will Smith plays the voice of a CGI hornet fighting crime alongside his feline sidekick, Cat-O. That sounds more like the vision of the Green Hornet my mom wants to rent.
Dec 19 2008 Stephen Chow Still Kato but Not Director/Kato
Following what's being called "creative differences," Stephen Chow has dropped out as director of Seth Rogen's Green Hornet script, though the actor still plans to play Kato. From Variety:
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.
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.
First I thought, "Oh, he must have a problem with all the racial implications of being an Asian servant to a white man," but nope, he's OK with the Kato business. Just some creative differences. He probably wanted some crazy Shaolin Soccer-style stuff to happen, the studio didn't like that direction, but he was a professional about it. Told them, "OK, I'll just be the man-servant. That part I'm still fine with."
Sep 19 2008 Stephen Chow Playing Famous Asian Chauffeur
Stephen Chow is going to direct The Green Hornet! And be the Kato! From ComingSoon:
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.
That sounds awesome, actually. I just hope Chow never finds out Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg aren't the Wachowski Brothers! Ha ha! Right, Seth Rogen?
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."
Ha, that's what I'm sayin', Seth! We're such friends, Seth Rogen and I.
Jan 16 2008 First Look at Creepy Cuteness of 'CJ7' Alien
If you recall the teaser trailer to Stephen Chow's latest, CJ7, and wondered what the mutating kickball alien would look like if it shape-shifted into a far more marketable stuffed toy, this new image is for you. The top half is like a Furby--cute until its eyes and mouth start moving--and the bottom is made of a squeezable gel, for stress relief.
CJ7 pics! [JoBlo]
Nov 26 2007 'CJ7' Trailer as Weird as Expected
In this trailer for Kung Fu Hustle director Stephen Chow's CJ7, aliens deliver a shape-shifting kickball to a boy, which takes him to space and makes him constantly scream and act like a chimp for some reason. I can't decide if this is an insane version of Batteries Not Included, an insane version of Flight of the Navigator, an insane version of Mac and Me, or just madness.
You decide, under the cut.
Jul 23 2007 Stephen Chow to Play Kato?
The blogosphere (read "nerds") is up in arms about the news that Seth Rogen wants Stephen Chow to play Kato in the new Green Hornet movie he's writing.
Stephen Chow is both Asian and does kung fu, so I don't know what people are whining about.
