The 40 Year Old, Knocked-Up, Superbad... Green Hornet??? And Hustling Kato???

[RTTingle]

According to Variety...

Seth Rogen, action star?
The doughy star of this summer's breakout hit, "Knocked Up," is finalizing a deal to write, and likely star in, Columbia's bigscreen adaptation of "Green Hornet." He will exec produce, along with co-writer and frequent collaborator Evan Goldberg.

Rogen would play Brit Reid, millionaire publisher-turned-masked crime fighter -- a role George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Jake Gyllenhaal flirted with in various stages of the project's long gestation.

"The Green Hornet" started as a radio serial before being turned into a comicbook, film and TV skein by the 1960s. TV show was notable for the presence of the late Bruce Lee as sidekick Kato, a kung fu expert with a killer car.

However, the project -- which seems almost old-fashioned compared with today's elaborate superhero movies -- has struggled to get off the ground in recent years. Universal and Miramax both abandoned the project before producer Neal Moritz set it up at Columbia a few months ago (Daily Variety, March 21).

Rogen has developed into a potent double threat at the instigation of Judd Apatow, who cast the Canadian in "Undeclared" while he was still a teen and then pushed him to write for the short-lived skein. Rogen co-produced and appeared in a key supporting role in Apatow's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and has since set up several writing and acting projects around town. "Superbad," the first script he wrote with Goldberg, will bow from Columbia next month.

He originally wrote it for himself, but the project took so long to get off that ground that he has a supporting role as a cop in it. Rogen is skedded to appear at Comic-Con next week to tubthump the movie.

Also in the works: "The Pineapple Express," which he co-wrote and will star in for Col; and "Drillbit Taylor," a Paramount project. He has several acting projects in the works, including "The Spiderwick Chronicles," "Fanboys" and a voice for "Horton Hears a Who."

Enjoy the movies from the guys... I'm not surprised actually... considering Kevin Smith was the last one rumored to be helming this... very interesting.

RTT

[bredon7777]

Kevin Smith was rumored to write and direct, NOT star.

While I've enjoyed Rogens screenwriting and acting, unless he hits the gym in a major way there's no way he could star and still make a Green Hornet movie that I could take seriously.

[RTTingle]

Kevin Smith was rumored to write and direct, NOT star.

And the point of that is???

While I've enjoyed Rogens screenwriting and acting, unless he hits the gym in a major way there's no way he could star and still make a Green Hornet movie that I could take seriously.

And why does he have to hit the gym to be buff for you to take the movie serious?  Not all heroes are ripped with muscles.  Wesley Dodds was a mousy, overweight fellow in Sandman Mystery Theater ... yet a hero none the less... and noone had a problem with taking that serious.  I'd be very interested in seeing this still.  Have you seen Rogen in the Superbad previews?  While not ripped... he doesn't make his uniform look as bad as a certain Star Fleet Captian did back in the 80's while jumping on car hoods.

Considering Rogens next movie is supposed to be an action/comedy... we may see him in better shape and honestly have a much better idea of how he'd be in a Green Hornet type of role.

And lets not forget the most important thing honestly...

... Kato.

What's a Green Hornet flick really.... without Kato saving his [expletive deleted] from getting kicked?  :P

RTT

Speaking of taking things serious, I can't believe arse is censored.  Really... how can anyone take the above statement serious if I used "tush" instead?  Hmmmm... bullox may work though. 

[Panther_Gunn]

And lets not forget the most important thing honestly...

... Kato.

What's a Green Hornet flick really.... without Kato saving his [expletive deleted] from getting kicked?  :P

Kato = Jet Li.  'Nuff said!  :thumbup:

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

The Green Hornet isn't, and shouldn't be, buffed up.  He may have good martial arts training and be no weakling, but I can't picture him as being all buffed up.  He doesn't really stand out, which is why discovering his secret identity is so hard.

[zuludelta]

Kato = Jet Li.  'Nuff said!  :thumbup:

He'd be perfect. Wasn't his character in Hak Hap (a.k.a. The Black Mask) inspired, at least costume-wise, by Bruce Lee's Kato?

And speaking of Bruce Lee and Jet Li, you'd probably be surprised to know that Jet Li doesn't really list Bruce Lee as one of his influences either as a fight choreographer or a martial artist. I remember reading in an old interview that Li (and other members of China's wushu team) was discouraged from watching Bruce Lee films growing up, since the then-government was fairly critical of Bruce Lee's politics and philosophies, and Li only became aware of Bruce Lee's impact on fight choreography once he started getting Western exposure with his Once Upon A Time in China work. 

[Panther_Gunn]

Just one more reason why politics suck!  ;)

[zuludelta]

Actually, now that I've given it more thought, Donnie Yen might be a better choice to play Kato (he's acted in and choreographed Western films like Blade 2 and Highlander: Endgame, as well as a huge number of Hong Kong films, and he was the main motion-capture model for Samanosuke's moves in the Onimusha III game). He isn't a "name" star so he won't take the spotlight away from whoever ends up playing Green Hornet, and his fight choreography style is a lot closer to Bruce Lee's... he doesn't incorporate a lot of wirework the way Team Jet (Jet Li's choreography company) does and keeps the action fairly grounded.

[Pyroclasm]

. He isn't a "name" star so he won't take the spotlight away from whoever ends up playing Green Hornet...

LOL, I guess I watch too many Honk Kong movies.  To me, Donnie Yen IS a name star.  Even topping <gasp> Jet Li.  I would not pass up a movie co-starring Donnie Yen. ;)  Excellent suggestion!

[bredon7777]

Kevin Smith was rumored to write and direct, NOT star.

And the point of that is???

That Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen (and myself, lest anyone think I'm biased) share the same "doughy" physique.  And while said physique would allow us to play, say, Nero Wolfe, without too much difficulty, it renders us unbelivable as heroes who should be in at least above-average shape.

Kevin Smith could write and direct a GREAT Green Hornet movie, but unless he hit the gym in a major way I wouldnt buy him as the title character either.

While I've enjoyed Rogens screenwriting and acting, unless he hits the gym in a major way there's no way he could star and still make a Green Hornet movie that I could take seriously.

And why does he have to hit the gym to be buff for you to take the movie serious?  Not all heroes are ripped with muscles.  Wesley Dodds was a mousy, overweight fellow in Sandman Mystery Theater ... yet a hero none the less... and noone had a problem with taking that serious.

You don't have to be "ripped with muscles"; you do however have to look like you wont need a two minute breather after climbing three flights of stairs for me to take you seriously as one of the inspirations for Batman.

Considering Rogens next movie is supposed to be an action/comedy... we may see him in better shape and honestly have a much better idea of how he'd be in a Green Hornet type of role.

And lets not forget the most important thing honestly...

... Kato.

What's a Green Hornet flick really.... without Kato saving his [expletive deleted] from getting kicked?  :P

I agree on both counts. He may, in fact, get in better shape, and then Im all good with him as the star.

And while Kato does come in and save his bum, its usually when he's severely outnumbered.  The Hornet should be capable of taking down one, maybe even two guys in a fair fight.

Rogen as he is now doesnt even look like he could take down two girls in a pillow fight.  Sorry, Seth :D

[Carravaggio]

And lets not forget the most important thing honestly...

... Kato.

What's a Green Hornet flick really.... without Kato saving his [expletive deleted] from getting kicked?  :P

Kato = Jet Li.  'Nuff said!  :thumbup:

Oh hell yes!

[RTTingle]

That Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen (and myself, lest anyone think I'm biased) share the same "doughy" physique.  And while said physique would allow us to play, say, Nero Wolfe, without too much difficulty, it renders us unbelivable as heroes who should be in at least above-average shape.

Kevin Smith could write and direct a GREAT Green Hornet movie, but unless he hit the gym in a major way I wouldnt buy him as the title character either.

This is so disappointing to hear.

You don't have to be "ripped with muscles"; you do however have to look like you wont need a two minute breather after climbing three flights of stairs for me to take you seriously as one of the inspirations for Batman.

Disappointing again.  A lot of overweight people are very able to be athletes and do athletic things.  Hell, Babe Ruth was far from in perfect shape... yet he was the homerun king AND a pitcher.  And again... Wesley Dodds in Theater was far from "fighting" shape but a hero none the less.

I think part of what makes the Green Hornet such an interesting character is that he would be a "smart" fighter and not one who just jumps into battle and take as much as he gives.  I see a very defensive type of fighter who picks and chooses what he does offensively very wisely.  Lets not forget that Hornet also had the gasgun and stinger too.

I'm kinda saddened to hear how you jump the gun so quickly on this.  After all Rogen is an actor and one who does appear to be in different shapes for each of his movies to fit whats needed.  He wasn't exactly doughy in Virgin, but I did see him looking such in Knocked-Up.  Some actors gain and lose weight and do a bit of working out.  He looks to be one of them.

Speaking of Batman... I fully appreciate a hero who goes one step further into the idea of the normal guy as a hero.

Any matters, heres a link of Rogen in a pic from Superbad.  I imagine this is well over 6 months old.  They're in the middle of shooting Pineapple now which is supposed to be the action/comedy flick and I imagine he may even be in better shape.  He looks in decent enough shape to me... and better in that uniform than 99% of the real cops I see here in my town. 

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/superbad/site/downloads/sb_g_1024x768_2.html

RTT

[bredon7777]

I'm kinda saddened to hear how you jump the gun so quickly on this.  After all Rogen is an actor and one who does appear to be in different shapes for each of his movies to fit whats needed.  He wasn't exactly doughy in Virgin, but I did see him looking such in Knocked-Up.  Some actors gain and lose weight and do a bit of working out.  He looks to be one of them.

See, this is where I'm puzzled:

I say: "I'm not going to be able to take him seriously as the star unless he works out."

You say: "Quit jumping the gun! By the way, he is working out! See pictures as proof."

And yes, in the second picture he looks fine. The guy in Knocked up would not have been belivable as the Hornet.  Obviously he realized that, and hit the gym.

I fail to see either a)where I'm jumping the gun and b) why you're jumping down my throat on this since the guy obviously agreed with me and started working out (not necessarily for Hornet, but nevertheless..)

[RTTingle]

  Its disapointing because it means you wouldn't believe someone slightly overweight as a hero... or at least capable of doing things without having to break for a breath every 2 minutes.

  Not every athlete has a perfect body.  While its nice to see Rogen being in decent shape for the movie... indeed --- I still would like to see someone like Dodds in SMT deemed as a hero and it not be a joke.

RTT

[bredon7777]

  Its disapointing because it means you wouldn't believe someone slightly overweight as a hero... or at least capable of doing things without having to break for a breath every 2 minutes.

Not to split hairs, but theres a difference between a "hero" and a "hero without powers that physically beats people up". There's a dozen hero characters of the top of my head that I'd be fine with someone overweight playing- but for a hero that relies at least partially on his physical ability I don't think its an unreasonable demand that you cast someone who either is in above average shape or is willing to do the work necessary to get in said shape.

  Not every athlete has a perfect body.  While its nice to see Rogen being in decent shape for the movie... indeed --- I still would like to see someone like Dodds in SMT deemed as a hero and it not be a joke.

Wesley Dodds was small and wiry (ala the original Atom, Al Pratt).  While not ripped, I'd hardly consider him "out of shape" and certainly not "doughy".  And what would be your reaction had they cast say- Lou Costello to play Wesley, hmm?

[detourne_me]

drop seth rogen,  just fund those french guys to turn their Green Hornet short into a feature.  case closed.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Disappointing again.  A lot of overweight people are very able to be athletes and do athletic things.  Hell, Babe Ruth was far from in perfect shape... yet he was the homerun king AND a pitcher.  And again... Wesley Dodds in Theater was far from "fighting" shape but a hero none the less.

Another example--Sammo Hung, who starred in Martial Law. Overweight and trained some famous martial artists, but considered one of the best and most agile out there.

[RTTingle]

Wesley Dodds was small and wiry (ala the original Atom, Al Pratt).  And what would be your reaction had they cast say- Lou Costello to play Wesley, hmm?

Yer' using the wrong example, I keep making a point to say the Wesley Dodds of Sandman Mystery Theater --- and you keep overlooking or ignoring that.  In that series he was doughy.  Not only did they steer away from him being ripped and muscular and a man of action like he was a matinee movie star in the original series... but they kicked it up a notch.  Wesley Dodds was a bit undersized --- small.  He was a bit doughy --- overweight.  They even geeked him out --- adding these big huge round glasses that almost gave him an owl like appearance.

Actually, going by your example... I'd prefer Lou Costello for the original golden age Wesley Dodds.  Mystery Theater wasn't around till the 90's, so we'd have to use modern examples for the Wesley Dodds I'm talking about.  That being the case... I'd much rather have someone like Oliver Platt play Wesley Dodds.  Someone who is a bit overweight, can play smart... and has done action in movies.

I don't think anything I say or offer as examples and evidence to broaden or expand your view as what could be realistic or serious in regards to how you view athletes and heroes.  At this point, we're just going to have to agree to disagree.

RTT

[RTTingle]

Disappointing again.  A lot of overweight people are very able to be athletes and do athletic things.  Hell, Babe Ruth was far from in perfect shape... yet he was the homerun king AND a pitcher.  And again... Wesley Dodds in Theater was far from "fighting" shape but a hero none the less.

Another example--Sammo Hung, who starred in Martial Law. Overweight and trained some famous martial artists, but considered one of the best and most agile out there.

Wow.  Great example Cat... had completely slipped my mind!

RTT

[RTTingle]

Well, looks like Rogen knows who he wants for his Kato, courtesy of the LA Times.

More exclusive "Green Hornet" news for you:

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 (pictured). Now that's a comedic take! Whether or not Chow's dance card is clear is another issue.

-- Sheigh Crabtree

So Green Hornet will take a comedic turn it seems.  Something I'm not really against as long as its not out and out slapstick or spoof like the Batman 60's tv series was.  Here's hoping they don't skimp on the action and heroics while tossing in some laughs.  Kung Fu Hustle was certainly a very interesting movie... while definately having some very funny moments --- its also had soem serious action.

RTT