Michel Gondry recently detailed the video he demoed for Seth Rogen and Evan Golberg which ultimately won him the director’s chair for the “Green Hornet” adaptation. “It was not elaborate…I changed the speed of the camera at different spots in the image different times. So it seems like [Green Hornet and Kato] are in the same world but at different times, and then they’re back together. It’s [as if] they’re in different dimensions, but when they touch each other, they come into the same dimension.” Not elaborate you say? Sounds amazing though.
Gondry was also asked about the tone of film and potential similarities to Rogen’s previous projects: “I think we’re all trying to be a little different than we were before on this project, just by interacting with each other and the producer Neil Moritz adds a different taste as well, so all that will create a new universe.”
Godnry also says he wants original TV actor Van Williams (now 75-years-old) to cameo and says he has an actor in mind for the villain who will be named Mr. X or Dr. Mabuse (nice Fritz Lang reference), but he won’t say who he is. “I hope I’m going to get the actor I want; I can’t say his name, but believe me — he’s going to be scary like hell.” [MTV/CS]
Michael Bay has taken time away from his new Twitter account (Boom!) to reveal (ooooh) that “Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen” will have a running time 147 minutes. As Bay boasts, “it’s four minutes longer than the last one.”Does that mean its also four minutes better than the original? Congratulations. [MTV]
“Iron Man” talk: Faran Rizi, who played the terrorist leader in the original, but will not be in the sequel, speculates whether his character could in fact be The Mandarin in “Iron Man 3.” Fat chance, they’ll cast a name actor. [SciFi]
A bunch of pictures have been released on the official “The Expendables” blog. On your right is Eric Roberts, Steve Austin and the big orange guy is one massive explosion. Expect Academy Awards. [Ethelmae’s Blog]
What could one expect McG to follow up action blockbuster “Terminator Salvation” with? How about a musical? He is in talks to bring to the big screen,”Spring Awakening,” a musical coming-of-age story that follows a group of teens discovering their sexuality whilst dealing with topics like masturbation, abortion, rape and suicide. Sounds like something definitely suited for his delicate touch. [THR]
Lets look at some facts that have been overlooked or pushed under the rug by SOOO many 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. That is it.
2. The Character is not a superhero, he has no super powers, no super villains, and 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 years old) 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. Kato is essential in the mix.
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. He attempted to prove his point with several 2-parters in the first season. ABC refused the extra time so Dozier canceled the series. How do I know this? Because I am looking at the focus study and Nielsen reports in my hand right now. The series actually did better than Batman in focus study reports! And Batman was HUGE in 1966.
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. It is often brought up that Michael Keaton is/was a comedic actor and he did well at Batman in 1989. One must realize that 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 was/is capable of VERY serious roles and can portray a very dark character, which is needed for the Dark Knight. Same goes for Robin Williams as The Joker or Riddler. He has proven himself in serious roles and can also be a believable villain that can also be very dark. Can Seth?
10. The Green Hornet does not exist in the DC or Marvel comic’s 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 , so who knows what he/they will decide on.
(Pineapple Express actually shown little impressive action scenes.)
12.The French have done an excellent interpretation in their short film located here. http://www.lefrelonvert-court.com/
13. There was actually a plan for the Green Hornet to have a feature film in 1967. It was dropped because the series was dropped, plain and simple.
14. Batman was NEVER the Dark night until much later in his genesis. The 60’s TV interpretation was not far off from the comics of the day. The Dark Knight came much later!
They 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 than 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
Lets hope Chow honors Lee with a respectful interpretation of his character Kato. Lee never portrayed the role in a comedic vein and anything less than a serious role would be disrespectful to Lee.
Filmgoers want to leave the film after paying their $10 saying “…damn that was awesome!” Not “Damn I could have blown that $10 bucks elsewhere and been happier.”
Fans are not looking for another Rush Hour film, they did that and it was fine for what it was.
Impress us Seth! Don’t rip us off!
Holy shit. A Green Hornet superfan.
Yeah, he scared the shit out of me too. I didn’t make eye contact and backed away slowly.