In a press release sent out today Columbia Pictures announced Stephen Chow, one of Asia's most popular box-office draws as the award-winning star and director – “Shaolin Soccer”, “CJ7” and “Kung Fu Hustle,” will direct and star in “The Green Hornet.” Chow will star as Kato, opposite Seth Rogen who co-wrote the film with Evan Goldberg (also executive produce).
The film will be shot in the style of Chow's classic martial arts masterpiece Kung Fu Hustle. It will be sort of a Looney Tunes meets Black Belt Theatre update of the classic 1966 TV show. Martial Arts master Bruce Lee originally portrayed Kato in the original series.
This is what Stephen Chow said about the announcement that says that he is set to direct “The Green Hornet”:
“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.”
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.”
“The Green Hornet” is set for release on June 25, 2010. [source: ComingSoon]
