Speaking with MTV News last November, writer/star Seth Rogen promised he was buffing up for the role of Britt Reid in "The Green Hornet," he was looking very strongly at Stephen Chow for the role of Kato, and the movie wouldn't follow an origin story.
Well, two out of three ain't bad.
Looking more svelte and in-shape than ever, Rogen now insists that his action-hero comedy — which he likened in tone to "True Lies" — will follow a more traditional "beginnings" arc.
Despite the vociferous complaining from fans who initially objected to Rogen's command of the project, the funnyman says an origin story is necessary because, according to him, there aren't really that many fans.
"No one gives a sh--," Rogen insisted. "There was, like, three people [who care about 'Hornet']. It [had to be] somewhat of [an origin story then]. We didn't intend it to be one, but we realized that no one knows anything about the Green Hornet, and it actually became more confusing than anything that we didn't include somewhat of an origin story. We realized through people being very confused with our screenplay that we should probably include somewhat of an origin in it."
As for Chow, who Rogen has been talking up since last year's Comic-Con, it was recently announced that the celebrated filmmaker would both co-star and direct the project.
"See? We did it!" Rogen proclaimed with a laugh. "We weren't talking sh--!"
An actor for more than 25 years, Chow is best known in America for recent hits like "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer," films that can only be described as martial arts by way of "Looney Tunes."
With Chow behind the camera, then, it's tempting to think that "Green Hornet" will be played for absurdity rather than realism. Half-right, Rogen said, teasing that the tone will wind up somewhere in between.
"We're figuring out now what exactly the reality level is and exactly how to let [Stephen] have fun, but [at the same time] do something that's accessible to American audiences," Rogen said. "[But] I gotta be honest. We are, like, literally in the process of having those conversations right now. We're at the very early phases."
"The Green Hornet" has a tentative release date of June 25, 2010.
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