1

I spoke with Kevin Smith about his work on this film about 2 years ago right after he left the project and the reason he left is that he felt he didn't know enough about action, and that's coming from an accomplished director and comic book writer (his runs are some of the best i've read even on books I don't care about).

If a guy who has written comic books doesn't think he can do this what makes Seth Rogan think he can? I don't care how much he action he thinks he's putting in the screenplay… I just don't want to see him do it. I want an older actor who can bring some gravitas to the character.

Also come on… this movie is going to end up being a comedy… Everyone is saying Stephen Chow is in the running for Kato and if he really is and ends up getting the part how is this movie not going to be 100% comedy?

Kent on Jun 23, 2008

2

Haha. Excellent.

Cinexcellence on Jun 23, 2008

3

FUCK! There's enough bad news today without Rogens tainted bullshit version of The Green Hornet being officially and completely fucked. ROGEN IS A NO TALENT HACK AND DESERVES NO FUCKING MOVIE, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED.

sonovabitch..

Garrett.king on Jun 23, 2008

4

SETH ROGEN is…

When did this guy become such a huge star that he could top line a logo/title like that? Plus it's so incredibly corny when you use "is". Was iron Man presented as Robert Downey Jr is - Iron Man? No - because it's corny.

Never thought I'd say this about my favorite property that has been in development hell for years, but let's hope for major trouble on this one - like an act of god that destroys every digital and hard copy of the script!

greg on Jun 23, 2008

5

It's funny that both Rogen and Smith are brought up in this discussion. As for Rogen being a no talent hack; Apparently Smith (remember, accomplished writer/director here) was won over by Rogen, hence his involvement in Zack & Miri, which will no doubt be Smith's biggest film in terms of box office to date. Mark my words people.

nick on Jun 23, 2008

6

I may've spouted off too early in that one. I do know that Rogen is involved with Smith in Zack and Miri make a porno. and the teaser trailer I saw made me laugh. so, again I state, that he's a no talent hack until he's given a good director.

NOT SEEING THE GREEN HORNET IF SETH ROGEN IS IN IT, END OF STORY.

Garrett.king on Jun 23, 2008

7

Pass. Next!

William Mize on Jun 23, 2008

8

"It's a very intense action movie and the relationship between Green Hornet and Kato, a lot of comedy comes from that."
Is the direct quote. You left out the part that says a lot of comedy comes from that.
Now how is this not a comedy when he says that it will be a comedy.
Very intense action does not exclude comedy!
This is what people are questioning and are concerned about.
The paying public does not want to see a comedy of this character. We have all seen Rush Hour and it was fine we don't need to see it again with The Green Hornet as the subject.

Why? on Jun 23, 2008

9

Why?, "the paying public" doesn't give a fuck about The Green Hornet, any more than they give a fuck about Starky & Hutch or any other forgotten TV show. Doing this as a comedy could work if (1) they cast someone amazing as Kato, and (2) they have a competent director.

Anybody can WRITE action, for God's sake: "They fight." That's a twenty minute action spectacular right there, under the right fight choreographer.

Stephen Chow would be the ideal Kato for a comedy take on the Green Hornet, obviously… but would he do it?

Gordon on Jun 23, 2008

10

Ultimately it IS the paying public who will make or break this film. The studio is only interested in making money and if the "paying public" is unwilling to support the film financially then it will flop miserably. Plus how are you going to sell liscense for merchandise to the film? I can just see it now a 10 year old boy playing in the park with his Green Hornet action figure his well meaning mom bought for him getting teased by the other kids for having lame toys from a lame film. Who would buy stuff for a lame film? Remember its all about the money.

Why? on Jun 23, 2008

11

You guys are all on meth..
Seth Rogan is GENIUS

I, for one, am VERY psyched for this movie.
Comics + Seth Rogan = two of my favorite things.

And p.s. of COURSE this is going to be a comedy. Rogan isn't dismissing that idea whatsoever. I think think he can and will do an excellent job combining Action and Comedy. Think about Pineapple Express… If you're not stoked for that gem, why be into cinema at all? I'm sure Apatow will have a pretty good combo in that one.
So yes, I am excited. I will be there opening night.

Chad D on Jun 23, 2008

12

Ugh.

Ryan on Jun 23, 2008

13

i didnt read all the haters comments cuz i didnt want to but! this movie will rock!!!
anything that seth rogen makes is gold!

mike on Jun 23, 2008

14

The TV show had its 1960's coolness, and Bruce Lee. The scenes in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) were cool, too.

But a Seth Rogen version? F**k me, what's the world coming to.

avoidz on Jun 23, 2008

15

Two things:

a) If this movie is gonna be funny, well, I don't think it's a good idea…
b) If the movie is gonna be serious, it's gonna be a FREAKIN' DISASTER!!

Seth Rogen kicking asses… yeah, right…

Jorge Leiner on Jun 24, 2008

16

NO….Lame….WEAK…..Rogen….YUCK!

Tim "Cloverfield" on Jun 24, 2008

17

This isn't a comedy role. The Green Hornet is not a superhero and never was intentionally campy despite the 60's series seeming campy in retrospect. This is classic pulp detective type action material with a pinch of thriller and a dash of drama. Period. It started in radio in the 30's and is to be regarded as a classic and important part of entertainment history. It shouldn't be made a mockery of. There is plenty of untapped comedy material out there that fits nicely into the category of "Hero Comedy". The Blue Falcon, Plasticman, The Greatest American Hero, Inch High Private Eye… a laundry list of titles that could easily be brought to the big screen without screwing with a classic like the Green Hornet. It just isn't necessary. The Green Hornet deserves a proper reintroduction not a slap in the face for nearly 70 years of service and inspiration. Show some respect.

Click the link below to see what the hornet could be.

http://www.lefrelonvert-court.com/index.php?page=ghlarge

HornetSting on Jun 28, 2008

18

Lets look at some facts that have been overlooked or pushed under the rug by SOOO many here and in Hollywood.
1. The character predated Batman and the ONLY tie in was in 1966 when the same producer for the TV show did the TV Green Hornet.
2. The Character is not a superhero, he has no super powers, no super villains, he is at best a masked crime fighter. Really he is no different than any TV/Film crime fighter except he happens to have a secret identity.
3. The Character did not come from the comic world; comics only explored their version of the story after the radio show was already established. The later 90's Comic series further explored an alternate universe of the Green Hornet world. Not too uncommon for the comic world but not congruent with the characters true origins and world.
4. The character is a hard driving young (33) successful businessman who is dedicated to fight crime in his community and wherever it occurs. NOT a lazy billionaire playboy that is pure recent media hype.
5. He is seen as a criminal in the criminal world so law enforcement is always after him. The criminals hate him because they fear him, Kato, and the Black Beauty.
6. The Green Hornet is a brilliant strategist and foils his foes in a well played out mental chess game (SEE Jason Borne or James Bond) Kato assists in strategy, weapons development and construction and muscle when needed.
5. The Green Hornet is fully capable in hand-to-hand combat in most every situation. He has a totally different style than Kato. He is in top physical condition.
6. Kato is fully competent in any situation of combat. He is so confident that his attitude comes across as smug. But make no mistake he takes crime fighting and combat very seriously. It would be a very rare occurrence if he were bested in hand-to-hand combat.
7. The TV series was canceled because the producer was not allotted enough TV time to further develop the character. ABC only allowed 30m and Dozier insisted on 60m for the second season. ABC refused so dozier canceled the series.
8. Production costs were out of control on Batman (A Huge hit) and budgets were getting tight so this was also a factor in sidelining the Green Hornet.
9. Keaton worked as Batman because he has shown he an actor that has depth and intensity. It makes no difference that he was in a comedic role prior. He is/was capable of VERY serious roles and can be very dark, which is needed for the Dark Knight. Same goes for Robin Williams as Joker, Riddler. He has proven himself in serious roles and can also be a believable villain and can also be very dark. Seth??
10. The Green Hornet does not exist in the DC or Marvel universe.
11. Seth has in the past said this will be a comedy then said it will be an action film just like Pineapple Express (due out this fall), so who knows what he/they will decide on.

The were able to hold the elements together for Spider-man, Fantastic Four, Elektra, Daredevil, Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men, Batman, Superman, Punisher, Blade so why not do the same for the Green Hornet? The Hornet is more like a Jason Borne, or a James Bond without the MI5-CIA connection. Hard fighting, mental strategy game, interesting gadget technology.

Anything less that what the character is or was created to be is just a slap in the face to all of fandom and aficionados of the genre. People do not want something different they want something familiar but updated to take advantage of the wonderful film technology we have today.

Look for inspiring films to model off of like:
1. Ronin
2. Blade (especially the first 10 minutes)
3. The Professional (especially the first 10 minutes)
4. Casino Royal (especially the first 10 minutes)
5. The Usual Suspects
6. Smokin Aces (the plot twist)
7. The Bourne films

Why? on Jun 28, 2008

19

THE GREEN HORNET SHOULD BE A TRIBUTE TO THE KING OF MARTIAL ARTS, BRUCE LEE! IF IT WASN'T FOR BRUCE LEE, THE GREEN HORNET WOULD NOT HAVE A HUGE FOLLOWING OF FANS. KEVIN SMITH HAS NO BUSINESS PERIOD TO DO THIS MOVIE ESPECIALLY AFTER HIRING B MOVIE AMATEURS, AS SEEN IN THE PREVIEWS (THE MARTIAL ART SCENES ARE SHORT OF JET LI TYPE ACTION AND THE DIALOG REMINDS ME OF B MOVIE ACTING AND PLEASE TELL ME THAT THEY GET A DIFFERENT BLACK BEAUTY AND DIFFERENT DISGUISES INSTEAD OF THAT EMBARASSING PIECE OF SH** THAT THEY PULL-UP IN AND THOSE GOOFY LOOKING HALLOWEEN MASKS THAT ARE LESS ATTRACTIVE THAN THE ONE'S IN THE 60'S TV SERIES). BEFORE HOLLYWOOD GIVES THE GREEN LIGHT TO DO A MOVIE ABOUT A SUPER HERO LEGEND, THEY SHOULD CONSIDER ALL THE LONG-TERM FUTURE INVESTMENT CONCERNS OF THE FANS AND MOVIE GOERS ALIKE (WHY DOESN'T HOLLYWOOD CONSIDER THE GREEN HORNET TO BE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE BATMAN MOVIE SERIES ESPECIALLY SINCE BRUCE LEE CURRENTLY HAS A BIGGER FAN FOLLOWING WORLDWIDE THAN BATMAN HAS EVER HAD FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS?). JET LI (NOT JASON SCOTT LEE OR STEPHEN CHOW), AS ALL BRUCE LEE COLLECTORS' AND FANS ALIKE WOULD 110% AGREE, IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE PERIOD, TO HONOR THE LEGENDARY BRUCE LEE. WITHOUT JET LI, THE GREEN HORNET MOVIE IS GARBAGE, KEVIN SMITH. NOBODY OUT THERE TODAY IS MORE QUALIFIED TO BRING THE CHARACTER OF KATO TO THE SCREEN THAN MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND JET LI. JET LI IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN RESTORE THE FAMILIAR LOOK OF BRUCE LEE BACK IN THE KATO CHARACTER TO GIVE THE GREEN HORNET MOVIE FANS BACK THEIR TASTE FOR WHAT THEY HAD LOST IN THE 66-67 TV SERIES! JET LI AND JACKIE CHAN KNOW BRUCE LEE WAY BETTER THAN STEPHEN CHOW, KEVIN SMITH. NOT DOING THIS FOR THE FANS WHO MADE THE GREEN HORNET POPULARITY WHAT IT IS TO DAY, IS A MAJOR, MAJOR, LONG AWAITED DISAPPOINTMENT, KEVIN SMITH. THE GRENN HORNET MOVIE THAT IS IN PROGRESS NOW IN MY OPINION, HAS ALREADY LOST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WILL DEFINETLY FALL SHORT OF BEING A SEQUENTIAL BLOCKBUSTER HIT SIMPLY BECAUSE ACTOR/KUNGFU LEGEND JET LI ,(HELLO? HOLLYWOOD, HELLO? TICKET & MERCHANDISE SALES, HELLO? MARTIAL ART FANS, HELLO? COMIC BOOK WORLD FANS AND ETC?…) IS NOT IN THE GREEN HORNET MOVIE AND FOR THAT REASON ALONE, IS WHY I AND THOUSANDS OF FANS (IF NOT MORE) ALIKE WILL HAVE LESS IF ANY DESIRE TO GO SEE THIS LEGENDARY GREEN HORNET FLOP. STEPHEN CHOW OR JASON SCOTT LEE ARE NOT CONSIDERED LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT IN THE MARTIAL ARTS WORLD AND ALSO DO NOT HAVE A HUGE FAN BASE FOLLOWING OR ANY OBSESSED FANS FOR THAT MATTER, WHO ACTUALLY CARE ENOUGH TO COLLECT ALL THEIR MEMORABILIA FOR THESE GUYS TO EVEN BE CONSIDERED AS KATO IN THE GREEN HORNET MOVIE. THEY HAVEN'T MADE THEIR INTERNATIONAL SUPER-STAR MARK OR LASTING IMPRESSION ON MOVIE GOERS OR MARTIAL ART FANS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE. DO YOU SEE ANYONE ADVERTISING EITHER ONE OF THESE GUYS' NAMES ON THEIR BODY (TATOOS), CLOTHES, CARS (NASCAR BRUCE LEE), STAUES, JEWELRY, VARIOUS MEMORABILIA PRODUCTS, OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF MARTIAL ART AND SPORTING MERCHANDISE? DO YOU SEE THEIR POSTERS HANGING UP IN YOUR FRIENDS HOMES, MARTIAL ART STUDIOS, GYMS, & ETC…? HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE MARTIAL ART MOVIE GOERS OR MIXED MARTIAL ART FIGHTERS FROM THE UFC OR IFL EVEN IN THEIR INTERVIEWS, EVER MENTIONING OR ADMITTING TO WANTING TO GO SEE JASON SCOTT LEE AS A BRUCE LEE WANNABE IN THE BRUCE LEE STORY OR STEPHEN CHOW AS A KATO BRUCE LEE WANNABE IN THE GREEN HORNET. HOW OFTEN DO YOU HEAR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE MENTION THEIR NAMES IN CONVERSATIONS AS REPUTABLE MARTIAL ART FIGHTERS? IF NOBODY IS INTERESTED, THEN WHY WOULD YOU USE THEM IN A MOVIE KNOWING THAT IT CRUCIALLY HAS TO LIVE UP TO ITS' NAME TO AVOID BEING A FLOP? I REMEMBER JET LI'S CRADLE TO THE GRAVE HAD SOME PRETTY AWESOME AND MEMORABLE FIGHT SCENES INVOLVING THE UFC FIGHTERS! HMMM ISN'T THE UFC & IFL DEVELOPING A HUGE FAN FOLLOWING THAT MAYBE THE GREEN HORNET IF JET LI HAD PLAYED THE ROLE OF KATO COULD HAVE USED TO KEVIN SMITHS' ADVANTAGE TO PROMOTE THE SUCCESS OF GREEN HORNET MOVIE TO THE PUBLIC? DOESN'T JACKIE CHAN AND JET LI KNOW BRUCE LEE WAY BETTER THAN STEPHEN CHOW TO KEEP THE KATO CHARACTER IN-CHECK WITH ITS' LEGENDARY KUNG FU MASTERS' SKILLS? COMMON SENSE, AS EVERYONE IN THE MARTIAL ARTS WORLD OR EVEN THE COMIC BOOK CRIME FIGHTING WORLD WOULD AGREE, IS THAT IN ORDER TO HONOR ANY LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK HERO OR THE LEGENDARY BRUCE LEE FOR THAT MATTER, YOU BETTER HAVE SOME LEGENDARY CRIME FIGHTING SKILL OR SOME KICK ASS MARTIAL ARTS STATUS, BABY! I DON'T WANT TO SEE CHARACTERS PRETENDING THAT THEY KNOW KUNG FU (SETH ROGAN) WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THEY DON'T, OR SOMEONE DOING WU SHU (STEPHEN CHOW, JET LI COULD KICK THIS GUYS' ASS) THAT ARE NOT KNOWN AS BEING SIGNIFICANT IN THIS COUNTRY OR AROUND THE WORLD IN THEIR FORM OF MARTIAL ARTS ESPECAILLY WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO PROMOTE THEIR CHARACTERS TO AN AUDIENCE INTERESTED IN THE LEGENDARY GREEN HORNET TV SHOW/COMIC BOOK HEROES. JET LI, IS A PROVEN INTERNATIONAL SUPER-STAR AND SPARRING CHAMPION IN CHINA! HE HAS TOO MANY MARTIAL ART ACHIEVEMENTS TO LIST, JUST ASK THE TIBETAN DALI LAMA OR JACKIE CHAN FOR THAT MATTER. WHY IN THIS DAY AND AGE DOES HOLLYWOOD CONTINUE TO PUT LEGENDARY ICON SUPER HERO MOVIES WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT HAVE A SUCCESSFUL HUGE MAGNITUDE OF FANS FROM THEIR COMIC/TV SHOWS IN THE HANDS OF TRAIN-WRECK FILM PRODUCERS (THE INCREDIBLE HULK FOR EXAMPLE, WHO WANTS TO SEE A BIG GREEN COMPUTER ANIMATION?, LOU FERINGO WAS BETTER INCREDIBLE HULK IN THE TV SERIES, AND ANYWAYS, IF I WANTED TO SEE A COMPUTER ANIMATED HULK, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE DAM VIDEO GAME)? WHY DO ALL THE LEGENDARY GREEN COMIC BOOK HERO MOVIES HAVE TO SUFFER THE GREEN PLAGUE OF MOVIE MAKING? WHAT'S NEXT, FLOP OF THE GREEN LATERN? HELLO, COMMON SENSE, LEGENDARY CHARACTERS DESERVE LEGENDARY ACTORS TO PLAY THEIR ROLE TO THE FULLEST POTENTIAL TO ACHIEVE A SUCCESSFUL AND SEQUENTIAL BLOCKBUSTER HIT AND TO CONTINE TO CASH IN ON THEIR WORLDWIDE FOLLOWING AND EVERYONE ELSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE GREEN HORNET A HIT! ANY OTHER MIX OF B***S***, AS WE'VE ALL SEEN IT BEFORE, IS COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY UNACCEPTABLE AND SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK, OK, KEVIN SMITH. IF YOU PRODUCE A LEGENDARY SUPER HERO MOVIE LIKE THE GREEN HORNET, IT DAM WELL BETTER BE LEGENDARY AND NOT A GIRL SCOUT COMIC BOOK HORROR MOVIE FIELD TRIP TO THE THEATER. WITH PEOPLE TIGHTENING UP THEIR WALLETS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY IN CURRENT TURMOIL, IT WOULD NOT BE WISE TO RELEASE THIS GREEN HORNET FLOP WITH EXPECTATIONS OF IT BEING IN THE TOP TEN GREATEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR OR EVER RECEIVING POSITVE PROMOTIONAL REVIEWS FROM THE TOP MOVIE CRITICS FOR THAT MATTER, ESPECIALLY, IF YOU SKIP OVER INTERNATIONAL SUPER-STARS AND HOLLYWOOD A-LIST ACTORS, YOUR TRUE BREAD AND BUTTER IN THE MOVIE MAKING BUSINESS. ~ FROM THE DESK OF ALL THE GREEN HORNET AND KATO FANS WORLWIDE ~FLOWING WATER NEVER GOES STALE~ PLEASE DRINK SOME BEFORE RELEASING THIS MOVIE!

Christopher Dean on Nov 26, 2008