The Green Hornet

Started by Banky, February 18, 2004, 12:39:28 PM

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Banky

ACCLAIMED FILMMAKER KEVIN SMITH STUNG BY THE GREEN HORNET


Miramax Films Taps Smith to Write and Direct Action-Adventure Feature

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (February XX, 2004) -- Gearing up for one of its most ambitious film franchises to date, Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein announced today that renowned filmmaker and comic book author, collector and self described "comic fan-boy" Kevin Smith will write and direct the film version of the classic action-adventure persona, The Green Hornet. The film represents Miramax's expansion of its development and production slate to include motion pictures that can compete in the "tent pole" marketplace. George Trendle, the son of Green Hornet creator George Trendle, will executive produce the film along with Harold Berkowitz.

Smith is keeping the plot a closely guarded secret, and will only go as far to say that it would remain very true to Trendle's characters with a few new twists.

"Kevin's tremendous work on our upcoming Jersey Girl, has demonstrated his continued growth as a filmmaker and we have no doubt that he will tackle this franchise for us in a compelling and entertaining way. In addition to being a great writer and director, Kevin knows more about comic characters, books and the creative process than anyone else I have ever met," said Weinstein. "The character of The Green Hornet offers a myriad of possible film ideas and numerous merchandise and branded integration opportunities with our corporate partners, giving us a platform for a very viable and long standing franchise."

"Long-time comics geek gets to make comic book movie? This is a dream come true. I'm still reeling! You don't know how in love with Harvey Weinstein I am right now. I couldn't have asked for a better vote of confidence in me as a filmmaker than being afforded the opportunity with 'Hornet' to push beyond the boundaries of what I've done in film thus far, said Smith. Adding "And making this movie with Miramax means that not only will we deliver an exciting, chop-socky-filled action flick, but it's gonna have a compelling story, believable characters, and great dialogue to boot! Let's roll, Kato!"

Beginning with his seminal film Clerks, Smith has woven comic book references and iconology into the dialogue and characters in many of his films. In 1997's Chasing Amy, Smith's two main characters, who are comic-book writers/artists, create a comic duo known as Bluntman and Chronic; a duo which also appears in Smith's 2001 film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. In Mallrats, Smith also features comic-book legend Stan Lee in a supporting role.

Smith is well known for writing award-winning, best-selling runs of "Daredevil" for Marvel Comics and "Green Arrow" for DC Comics, as well as comics based on his films Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Smith is also credited with rekindling the mainstream public's interest in comics through his 1998 Daredevil comic book story arc, entitled Guardian Devil.

Serving as Hollywood's comic-book connoisseur, Smith is no stranger to The Green Hornet. In 1993 Smith sold his comic book collection to help finance the $27,000 budget of his 1994 debut film, "Clerks;" a collection which included several 'Green Hornet' titles.

Smith is the proud owner of his own comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, which opened in 1997 in Red Bank, NJ and is scheduled to open a west coast branch in Westwood this May.

Jon Gordon, executive vice president of production, and Hannah Minghella, creative executive, will oversee the project on behalf of Miramax.

Charles Layton, executive vice president, office of the co-chairman, and Steve Hutensky, executive vice president of business affairs, negotiated on behalf of Miramax. Attorney John Sloss and the Endeavor Agency represented Smith.

Miramax and Smith's most recent collaboration Jersey Girl, starring Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler, will open in theaters nationwide on March 26, 2004.

MacGuffin

Kevin Smith on The Green Hornet

Superhero Hype! caught up with "Clerks II" director Kevin Smith and we asked him about the status of the possible Green Hornet adaptation.

Asked whether he was still thinking about directing, Smith said, "No, it really comes down to I'm really not talented enough to pull off a movie like that. It was between that and 'Clerks II' and I drove toward 'Clerks II' in such a big, bad way and almost had to fight Harvey Weinstein to do 'Clerks II' as opposed to a 'Green Hornet' movie, cuz he's like, 'it's time for you to grow and stretch as a filmmaker' and I'm like, 'doesn't anybody get it after twelve years? I'm not that talented. This is what I do [well].' This is why I got into film, to tell stories like that. I love watching comic book movies. I'd love to watch a 'Green Hornet' movie, but would not want to be the guy at the helm of that movie. Number one, I make one of those movies and I lose the right to make fun of other people for making those movies. I learned that the hard way making 'Jersey Girl.' I can't make fun of 'Raising Helen' anymore. If I raise one finger to 'Raising Helen,' people are like, 'dude—you made Jersey Girl.' But number two, that's not the story I like to tell. I like to tell stories about people sitting around and talking to each other and what not. And that's really what I'm kind of good at and most people would argue that I'm not even that good at that to begin with. So the notion of doing 'Green Hornet' is just not appealing to me. In comic book form—wonderful. I love to write comic books. You don't have to think about shooting that sh*t, plus you can get into the inner life of a character, you can deal with years of continuity, you can drop reference to a story that happened fifteen years ago. Doing that in the mainstream on a feature basis is just not the same.

Miramax Films announced on February 18, 2004 that Smith would write and direct The Green Hornet, but Smith later changed his mind.

Back then, he said, "Long-time comics geek gets to make comic book movie? This is a dream come true. I'm still reeling! You don't know how in love with Harvey Weinstein I am right now. I couldn't have asked for a better vote of confidence in me as a filmmaker than being afforded the opportunity with 'Hornet' to push beyond the boundaries of what I've done in film thus far. And making this movie with Miramax means that not only will we deliver an exciting, chop-socky-filled action flick, but it's gonna have a compelling story, believable characters, and great dialogue to boot! Let's roll, Kato!"
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


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MacGuffin

Seth Rogen tabbed for Green Hornet
Source: Los Angeles Times

Fresh on the heels of his leading-man debut as accidental baby daddy Ben in the hit comedy "Knocked Up," Seth Rogen has entered a deal to write and likely star in "The Green Hornet" for Columbia Pictures.

The studio announced in March that it had optioned the rights to the superhero property that follows the adventures of Brit Reid. A wealthy publisher of The Daily Sentinel by day, Reid roams as a masked crime fighter by night, dedicated to protecting the lives and rights of the city's citizens. Reid is accompanied by Kato, a chauffeur-bodyguard-personal assistant during business hours who transforms into a masked sidekick with a knack for martial arts when the sun goes down. The two cruise around town in a dark sedan known as the Black Beauty.

Neal H. Moritz is developing the project with Rogen via the producer's Original Film company. Moritz has been chasing the rights for years having been a big fan of the '60s television series. He declined to comment on Rogen's involvement.

Rogen's deal was confirmed to the Los Angeles Times by a number of sources both inside and outside the studio, who are involved with the film. Sony is said to be eyeing a 2009 release. Sony president of production Matt Tolmach is expected to oversee for Columbia Pictures.

Rogen is just the newest player in a large and varied cast of characters who have tried to bring Green Hornet to the big screen. A Green Hornet film was previously announced at Universal with Ron Underwood directing. Three years ago Miramax entered a deal with Kevin Smith to adapt and direct a Green Hornet film. Actors as wide ranging as George Clooney, Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Wahlberg have been rumored to be in talks to play Reid over the years. And at one point or another Jason Scott Lee and Jet Li have been rumored to play Kato.

The Green Hornet originally began life as a radio show in the 1930s, a creation of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, who also created the Lone Ranger. The character has since been the subject of a couple of Universal movies in the 1940s, comic books and, perhaps most memorably, the short-lived ABC television series that starred Van Williams as the Green Hornet and introduced American audiences to Bruce Lee as Kato.

Rogen next appears as the paunchy, beer lover Officer Michaels in the August release "Superbad," based on a script he co-wrote with Evan Goldberg. Next year "The Pineapple Express" and "Drillbit Taylor," based on Rogen's screenplays, are also scheduled for release. The rising star has lined up a number of acting gigs, including voice roles in "The Spiderwicke Chronicles" and "Horton Hears a Who."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


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pumba

Ho. Ly. Shit.

What the fuck.

Pubrick

Quote from: shnorff on July 19, 2007, 05:19:25 PM
Ho. Ly. Shit.

What the fuck.

seth rogen is writing the green hornet and might star as the green hornet.
under the paving stones.

polkablues

Quote from: Pubrick on July 19, 2007, 05:22:52 PM
Quote from: shnorff on July 19, 2007, 05:19:25 PM
Ho. Ly. Shit.

What the fuck.

seth rogen is writing the green hornet and might star as the green hornet.

I think the question was more existential.
My house, my rules, my coffee

Stefen

I wonder if Banky still likes Kevin Smith.
Falling in love is the greatest joy in life. Followed closely by sneaking into a gated community late at night and firing a gun into the air.

MacGuffin

Exclusive! Rogen Wants Stephen Chow for Kato
Source: Los Angeles Times

We broke the news yesterday that "Knocked Up" star Seth Rogen has been tapped by Sony to write and likely star in "Green Hornet." Rogen actually pitched the remake to Sony who liked his comedic take. Execs in Culver City hope Rogen can reinvent the recently dark and moody superhero adaptations, according to sources.

Today we hear that Seth Rogen's first choice to play Kato, Green Hornet's masked and martial arts-enabled sidekick, is none other than "Kung Fu Hustle" director and star Stephen Chow. Now that's a comedic take! Whether or not Chow's dance card is clear is another issue.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


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MacGuffin

Rogen: Hornet Is No Joke
Source: SciFiWire

Seth Rogen, who will co-write and star in the film adaptation of the 1960s TV series The Green Hornet, told reporters that although he is known for comedy, the film will be more of a straight-up action movie.

"We're not doing like a goofy reimagining of The Green Hornet or anything," Rogen said in a press conference while promoting his current film, Superbad, at Comic-Con International in San Diego over the weekend. "He's not getting bitten by a radioactive hornet or anything like that."

Rogen is developing the film with his writing partner Evan Goldberg, who co-wrote Superbad and the upcoming action film Pineapple Express with him. He said that as fans of the original TV series, they don't want to deviate too far from the source material.

"It's something that I've always been a fan of and Evan's really into," he said. "We're trying to keep it as true to the 1966 TV series as possible. We want it to be an adventure-action movie, somewhere in the world of Lethal Weapon and Indiana Jones, I guess you would say. I mean, totally, that's kind of what we're striving for. We just want it to be fun and kick-ass."

Rogen said that the experience of making Pineapple Express was what convinced him and Goldberg that they could do justice to The Green Hornet.

"The people who've seen it really think the action is kick-ass, which is kind of one of the reasons we thought we could even maybe make the movie like The Green Hornet, because we saw that it actually works," he said. "And tonally you can kind of keep it real and have good action and good emotions and humor, and it all can kind of work together in this."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


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MacGuffin

Seth Rogen Buffs Up (Sort Of) To Fit Into The Green Hornet's Trench Coat
'You should believe that I can do some physical activity,' the 'Knocked Up' star jokes of his physical regimen for superhero role.
Source: MTV

Heavyweight actors like George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Jake Gyllenhaal all flirted with the project, so when it was the literally heavyweight star of "Knocked Up" who was ultimately tapped to bring the iconic Green Hornet to the big screen, it was as if millions of fanboys cried out in terror: "Seth Rogen as Britt Reid? Say what?"

"[The fan reaction] was a little surprising. I love the idea! I think it's going to be a unique and interesting movie," the jocular always-self-deprecating Rogen announced, before adding with a laugh, "but nerds love complaining. You go on [the Web site for] Ain't It Cool News, and everybody complains about everything. They could find out Jesus Christ was making a movie with Frank Miller, and they'd say, 'That's a terrible combination!' "

In all fairness, Frank Miller announcing "Jerusalem: The Real Sin City" might be only slightly more bizarre than Rogen as a costumed super. But, then, his "Green Hornet" will be like no superhero movie we've ever seen before, the 25-year-old star insisted.

"Just a few weeks ago, [co-writer Evan Goldberg and I] laid out our outline for the movie to the studio, and before the phone call, Evan and I were like, 'This is not like any superhero movie — they might just hate that,' " Rogen recalled. " 'It's not using any of the normal superhero movie formats. It's not an origin story. It's more like a regular action movie.' [But] they really liked it and told us to go for it."

So hold onto your green fedoras, Hornet fans! The comedian told MTV News that he's getting buff for his starring role as the flick's titular character. Well, sort of.

"You should believe that I can do some physical activity," Rogen laughed. "You have to believe I can do something."

Getting slim is just one of the ways Rogen is staying true to the action aspects of the character, he asserted. And fans worried about just how well the ferocious talent behind "Superbad" and "Knocked Up" writes action? They should hold off judgment until his next movie hits theaters, Rogen said.

"I think when people see 'Pineapple Express' it will make more sense to them," Rogen teased of his next project, a high-octane action/comedy co-starring James Franco.

But while Rogen and Goldberg are committed to action, the writing duo actually have two outlines for the movie, the actor confessed, similar in some respects but varying greatly in tone.

"There's a more comedic version and a less comedic version, and we don't know what will feel right until we're actually writing it," he revealed to MTV News. "We were about to start writing the script, and then the [writers'] strike hit.

"It's really hard to wrap our head around what the movie will be until we've written the script," he added.

But while Rogen admitted to vacillating between the two versions, he's anything but ambivalent on another tough decision, unabashedly banging the drum for one of two actors to play Kato, the Hornet's Asian manservant and partner in crime.

"I think what's most important about the Kato part is it's someone that you believe can kick the sh-- out of a lot of people," Rogen said of the role made famous by Bruce Lee in the late-'60s television version. "['Kung Fu Hustle' star] Steven Chow is incredible. That was someone we had talked about. I'm a big Tony Jaa fan also."

On the matter of a director, however, Rogen was less committal. "We're always thinking of people who we wouldn't think of. We want guys who will bring something new to the table," he said. "There are two schools of thought: You can get the guy who's a great action-movie director, who's done a million action movies. Or you get the guy who's never done it but has fresh ideas.

"[In the end] we want someone who will make it better than we could have made it," he concluded.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


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squints

Stephen Chow as Kato? please god let this happen
"The myth by no means finds its adequate objectification in the spoken word. The structure of the scenes and the visible imagery reveal a deeper wisdom than the poet himself is able to put into words and concepts" – Friedrich Nietzsche

MacGuffin

Kevin Smith 'Green' with Envy over Seth Rogen's Hornet
Source: MTV

That Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen, two funnymen known for their raunchy yet touching blend of humor, have teamed up for "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" is so obviously a good match as to be of little surprise to even their most peripheral fans.

And if two guys who traffic in similar comedic tones joining up isn't a shock, then the fact that they both adapted a screenplay from the same source material shouldn't be either. Except, of course, that the source material in question is a superhero movie.

"It is kind of ironic that he wound up doing 'Green Hornet,'" Smith said of Rogen's movie version of the vigilante crimefighter, since years before Rogen made headlines for tackling the project, Smith himself was attached. And now he's Green with envy over Rogen's opportunity to do what he couldn't.

"I wish I could have made his version," Smith said. "The parameters that we had in our version of 'Green Hornet' - he's not suffering from the same parameters At the time they were like 'We want to make a big straight-forward action movie" - the wrong approach for the character, Smith insisted.

"You can't really compete with Spiderman and Batman and stuff like that with Green Hornet," the director contended. "So it's best to take a different approach to it all-together."

Which, according to Smith, is what Rogen is finally getting a real chance to do.

"He's Seth Rogan, the man of the moment. He can do anything he wants with that project," Smith said. "It's not a comedy what he's doing, but he gets to do his with a better sense of humor than we would have been allowed to. He's in a great free place to do something fresh with that material."
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


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pete

is rogen that talented to warrant a lifetime of deals or is he just really lucky?  it feels like he's been working really hard, but he's kinda like the dream of every college grad who's ever left for Hollywood, with their own coming-of-age comedies, stoner comedies, or dudes sitting around comedies.  for some reason all of it came together for rogen in a big way, and now big studio people trust him with a stoner action comedy (directed by david gordon green!) and this superhero movie!  he's earnest and funny, but is there none like him?  why can't other great comedians in hollywood get a pass from the studio?  patton oswalt, where is your superbad?
"Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot."
- Buster Keaton

MacGuffin




Green Hornet Title Revealed
Official site for Seth Rogen flick online.

Okay, so it's not much, but it's something. Columbia Pictures has launched their official site for The Green Hornet, complete with a snazzy title treatment that touts star Seth Rogen's involvement and the planned June 25, 2010 release date.

The Knocked Up funnyman will star and write the script for the action-packed adaptation based on The Green Hornet radio program, TV show and comic adventures that have remained popular since the character's creation in the 1930s.

The story centers on newspaper publisher Britt Reid who fights crime as the masked adventurer alongside his ass-whoopin' sidekick Kato (famously played on the '60s TV series by Bruce Lee).

Rogen recently told IGN that the movie is expected to have a PG-13 rating.  "That's an action movie, you can do anything violence-wise," he said. And Rogen says that he'd love to have Kung Fu Hustle actor Stephen Chow as Kato.

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thegreenhornet/
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


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Ravi

I vote for Seth Rogen to take over any project Kevin Smith is attached to write.