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September 19, 2008


"Kung Fu Hustle" director-star Stephen Chow has signed on to helm and co-star in Columbia Pictures' "The Green Hornet."

Seth Rogen has already boarded the project as the masked crime fighter.

Chow, one of the biggest draws in Asian cinema who has enjoyed crossover success with such films as "CJ7" and "Shaolin Soccer," will portray the Green Hornet's similarly masked manservant Kato.

In tapping Chow for the project, studio continues a long association with the star and director. Under its local language initiative, Sony co-produced and released "Kung Fu Hustle," which grossed more than $100 million worldwide. Sony also released "CJ7."

"Green Hornet" will bow June 25, 2010.

Originally created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker as a 1930s radio show, the Green Hornet has appeared in film serials in the 1940s, a network TV program in the '60s and multiple comicbook incarnations.

Chow said he has been a huge fan of the TV show since he 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," the Hong Kong native said. "I'm grateful to my friends at Sony, who have shown so much faith in me for so many years."

Rogen and Evan Goldberg penned the screenplay. Neal H. Moritz is the producing through his Sony-based Original Film shingle.